If your vacation falls in summer, the question isn't just beach or no beach: in 2027 Rio's Carnival falls in early February, and that makes a big difference from one week to the next. January brings street Carnival and free rehearsals at the Sapucaí; February, the official parades. This guide lays out the confirmed dates so you can pick the week based on what interests you.
At a glance
- January 16: planned start of street Carnival, according to Riotur ↗.
- January 23, 24, 30 and 31: free technical rehearsals at the Sapucaí, according to carnaval.rio ↗.
- February 5 and 6: Série Ouro parades.
- February 7, 8 and 9: Grupo Especial parades, according to Liesa ↗. Tuesday the 9th is Carnival Tuesday.
- February 13: Champions' Parade.
January: street Carnival and free rehearsals
The second half of January is the warm-up. According to Riotur, street Carnival is scheduled to start on January 16; the official bloco schedule hasn't been published yet, and it's not a good idea to plan around the 2026 one. We explain how to follow it in Rio blocos 2027.
On the weekends of January 23–24 and 30–31, the samba schools hold their technical rehearsals on the Marquês de Sapucaí, with free admission. The carnaval.rio ↗ calendar already shows which school goes on which day; details and how to get there in technical rehearsals 2027.
January suits you if you want the Carnival atmosphere without buying Sambódromo tickets, or to combine beach, city and blocos without depending on parade days.
February: parade week
The official parades are concentrated in the first half of February:
- Friday 5 and Saturday 6: Série Ouro, the second division, with cheaper tickets. Details in Série Ouro 2027.
- Sunday 7, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9: the twelve Grupo Especial schools, four per night, according to Liesa.
- Saturday 13: Champions' Parade, with the top-placed schools. Whether it's worth staying is covered in Champions' Parade 2027.
For tickets and sectors, see how to buy from abroad and which sector to choose.
February suits you if your goal is to see the parades at the Sapucaí. There's also street Carnival on those days: once Riotur publishes the schedule, you'll be able to combine blocos and the Sambódromo.
How to choose the week
| If you want to… | Go for |
|---|---|
| See the Grupo Especial | February 7 to 9 |
| Sambódromo with cheaper tickets | Série Ouro (February 5 and 6) or free rehearsals in January |
| Blocos without paid parades | From January 16, with the official schedule once it's out |
| Beach and city, with some Carnival | Second half of January |
| See the winners | Stay until February 13 |
What doesn't change between January and February
- The heat. Both months are high summer. Check the day's alerts with the guide to heat in Rio.
- The rain. Summer storms can happen in either month. Have a plan B: Rio when it rains.
- Accommodation. For Carnival week, check minimum stays and cancellation terms early. If you're going for the parades, we help you choose an area in where to stay for Carnival 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When is Carnival 2027 in Rio?
Carnival Tuesday is February 9, 2027. The Grupo Especial parades are on Sunday 7, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9.
Is the bloco schedule out yet?
Not yet. Riotur publishes it after the permit process closes. Follow it in Rio blocos 2027.
What about the weather in each month?
We can't promise the weather on any given day. To compare months, see the guide to the best time to visit.
Sources: Riotur: street Carnival 2027 ↗, carnaval.rio: technical rehearsal calendar ↗ and Liesa: parade order ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.