Rio Heats Up: Pre-Parties Take Over the Streets Ahead of Carnival!
Carnival may officially begin on Friday, February 28, but Rio de Janeiro is already in full celebration mode! The city’s streets are bursting with samba beats, dazzling costumes, and massive crowds getting a head start on Brazil’s most famous party!
On Sunday, February 23, the Cordão do Boitatá parade set the tone for what’s to come, with thousands of costumed revellers dancing their way through downtown Rio. The air was filled with the sound of drums, brass bands, and joyous singing as people soaked up the electric atmosphere
And that was just the beginning. Over the weekend, 99 official blocos (street parties) and countless unofficial ones turned Rio into an open-air dance floor, drawing more than 160,000 people. From sunrise to well past sunset, partygoers packed the streets, moving to the rhythm of samba, funk, and frevo.
A Week-Long Party Like No Other
Rio Carnival is the biggest and most spectacular Carnival in the world, and this year’s edition is expected to be massive. Over 5 million people—including 1.5 million tourists—are set to join the fun, filling the city with colour, music, and boundless energy as they celebrate the incredible culture of Brazil.
The highlight? The jaw-dropping Sambadrome parades, where samba schools compete with breathtaking floats, dazzling dancers, and heart-pounding performances. Meanwhile, in the streets, blocos of every size will keep the party going, from tiny neighbourhood gatherings to mega-parties that pull in hundreds of thousands of revellers.
The Countdown to King Momo’s Rule
The real magic begins on Friday, February 28, when Rio’s mayor hands over the city’s keys to King Momo, the symbolic ruler of Carnival. From that moment on, the city officially surrenders to a full week of non-stop celebrations, where music, dance, and joy take over every corner.
For now, Rio is already in full party mode, and if this weekend’s pre-Carnival madness is anything to go by, this year’s Carnival is set to be absolutely unforgettable!
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