About Rio Carnival
Rio Carnival — the biggest carnival on the planet — officially opens on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, which the countdown above computes automatically (February 5 in 2027). Five days of samba take over Rio de Janeiro, drawing millions into the streets.
The heart of Carnival beats in the Sambadrome, where the elite samba schools parade through the night with floats, drum corps (baterias) of hundreds, and tens of thousands of dancers per school competing for the championship. Around it sprawl the blocos — free street parties, more than 400 of them — plus glamorous balls and beach parties from Copacabana to Ipanema.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Friday, February 5, 2027next |
| 2028 | Friday, February 25, 2028 |
| 2029 | Friday, February 9, 2029 |
| 2030 | Friday, March 1, 2030 |
| 2031 | Friday, February 21, 2031 |
FAQ
When is Rio Carnival 2027?
February 5–9, 2027 — Carnival always runs the Friday through Fat Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
What is the Sambadrome?
A purpose-built parade avenue where Rio's samba schools compete in spectacular all-night parades — the ticketed centerpiece of Carnival.
Are the street parties free?
Yes — hundreds of blocos (street parades) across Rio are free and open to everyone; the Sambadrome requires tickets.