If you're preparing to enjoy Brazil's 2025 Carnival Season, this is for you! Knowing what to expect will lead to less stress so that once you get to your destination, you are fully ready to enjoy the dynamic, colorful festivities Rio (and more) offers.
When and Where Is Brazil Carnival 2025?
In 2025, the Brazil Carnival will be held in Rio de Janeiro from February 28th to March 8th. Carnival takes place before Lent and is seen as one last chance to party before it begins. There are also smaller carnivals around Brazil, like the Recife and Olinda Carnival or the Sao Paulo Carnival.
What Can You Expect at Brazil's Carnival?
Samba
The main attraction of Brazil's Carnival is the vibrant Samba dancers! Various samba schools parade in the street. The audience can watch from the Sambadrome, an iconic stadium explicitly built to watch the parade. Samba is rooted in Afro-Brazilian heritage and has continued developing over the years. It was once criminalized for its origins but is now considered a big part of Brazilian culture. Samba schools prepare all year to compete against each other in the parade and create elaborate floats, choreographies, and costumes.
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Costumes and Floats
Carnival costumes are colorful, extravagant, and handmade! Common features include headdresses, bikinis, and feathered wings. Many elements of Carnival costumes have African influence. Feathers, for instance, were used in many African costumes and symbolized rebirth. Floats are just as extravagant and often quite dramatic. They illustrate specific ideas and comment on societal issues. Overall, both costumes and floats help the theme picked by each samba school come to life.
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Parties
The fun doesn't stop at the Sambadrome! Brazil's Carnival is known for Rio's street parties (or blocos). Plan ahead and decide which you'd like to attend. Around 500 parties are organized by 250 accredited groups. Some popular parties include:
- The Carmelitas Blocos: All performers dress as nuns. Their parade tells the story of a nun who escaped the convent to celebrate the Carnival.
- Cordão da Bola Preta: This popular party attracts millions of participants because it is one of the oldest and most traditional blocos.
- Banda de Ipanema: This bloco is known for its inclusivity and diversity!
- Suvaco do Cristo: This party is named after its location, "Christ's armpit," referring to the Christ the Redeemer statue.
- Monobloco: Monobloco started as a percussion workshop and is now one of the most popular Carnival parties due to its unique modern sound.
How to Secure Tickets for Brazil's Carnival 2025
You can purchase tickets online from various websites, including the Rio Carnival website. To avoid counterfeit tickets, double-check reviews before buying from other resellers.
Ticket prices range from around $10 to over $1000. The Sambadrome offers various seating options, from Grandstands (unassigned seats on concrete steps) to Covered Boxes (covered cabins with padded seats and sockets to charge your phone).
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Getting Around During Carnival Season
The train lines have stations close to the main sights and are a reliable way to get around during the Carnival season. We recommend staying near a station as Uber, taxis, and buses can get chaotic and expensive at that time of the year due to street closures. Make sure to account for peak hours and be prepared for busy transit. Keep an eye on your belongings, as crowded spaces can attract pickpockets. Leaving the house with only minimum belongings (some cash instead of all your cards) can also be a good safety measure.
With so much going on, you'll want to make sure you have a reliable data connection. Downloading a Brazil eSIM during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro ensures seamless connectivity for navigating crowded streets, accessing maps, and staying in touch with friends amidst the festivities. It also helps avoid costly roaming fees, letting you share all the fun of Carnival online without worrying about data usage.
What to Pack for Brazil Carnival 2025
We made you a packing list!
- Comfortable clothes & shoes
- Fun accessories/ a costume
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit
- Beach Towel
- A light raincoat
- Camera or phone
- Camera/phone chargers
- Toiletries
- Cash/cards
- Travel documents
- Earplugs
- Fanny pack (to keep your belongings close)
This list is not exhaustive but should give you a solid base! It is essential to prioritize comfort and safety in what you bring while adding a few pieces that let you have fun and your personality shine through.
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Beyond Carnival: Things to See and Do
The fun doesn't stop here. Brazil has so much to offer! Rio has iconic landmarks like the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain, with beautiful views accessible by cable car. It also has gorgeous beaches and coastlines like the Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. If you are willing to travel further, Brazil has other cultural and natural attractions. From the Amazon Rainforest to Sao Paulo's art and food scene, extend your Brazil Carnival trip further!
How to Stay Connected
If you're all set, there's only one thing to do! Ensure you have data to stay in touch with your loved ones and navigate Rio's lively streets. We help you stay connected with an Airalo eSIM wherever you travel. Airalo gives you access to affordable eSIMs for 200+ countries and regions, including Brazil.
Instead of paying expensive daily roaming fees with your current provider, buy an eSIM on the app (iOS | Android) and save money and time at your destination.
