Carnival In Rio De Janeiro

Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome

Rio is home to more than 70 samba schools. This parade tradition dates back to the 1930s and is represented by the most influential and creative schools known as Grupo Especial. During this nationwide Carnival event, the schools and their neighborhoods attend the 2-night bonanza in the Sambadrome to compete for fame and money.

The Carnival stadium was designed by Oscar Niemeyer, who is a renowned architect. It is an awesome piece of the arch that was first opened in 1984. For the love of this event, multitudes flood the stadium every February or March to cheer their schools. The stadium has a capacity of a whopping 90,000 people.

Fortunately for individuals who cannot make it to the stadium, the event is broadcast live on TV late into the night. Normally, it occurs on a Sunday and runs through to Monday. All the leading samba schools present their members for a song and dance session. Each school can have over 3,000 members in the choir, which speaks to the magnitude of this event.

Apart from a large number of performers, the costumes are perfectly picked; all of which have dazzling colors. The intense commentary by parade judges and the wild cheers from the crowd is a real immersive experience. The parameters used by judges to rate the performing schools include the allegorical theme, costumes, precision, drumming, and the lyrics. Notably, the themes are drawn from Brazilian personalities, Rio de Janeiro events, and the heritage from cities worldwide.

Dancing to the Carnival Beat

The Carnival cannot be complete without the accompanying street parties. For instance, blocos, a celebration that begins from 8 pm to around 8 am the next morning, always brings Rio to a standstill.

If you are visiting Brazil for the event but don’t want to get caught in the turmoil of the parties held at night, you can opt for other entertainment ventures. For instance, you can stroll along the beaches or interact with the locals in the sidewalk cafes and restaurants. For those who prefer staying indoors, you can watch the live broadcast of the event on TV while having a chilled glass of wine or playing your favorite games.

If you are in the Rio spirit there are plenty of mobile games with Brazilian themes such as Gangstar Rio, but if you want to up the ante there are Rio slots such as Samba Brazil. Online slots can be a good way to unwind and online portals offer support in finding the best online casinos with the option to play slots for free and check for welcome bonuses and the latest gambling news as well as other information to ensure that you have the best possible experience. Whether you choose to stay in or go out, Rio is the perfect place.

Carnival Parade Participation

Whether you are a tourist or a local, the Carnival festivities are open for everyone. You can contact specific schools as an individual and request to join. Alternatively, you can link up with the Rio de Janeiro Independent Samba School League and apply. You can also buy the tickets online or in person at the Sambadrome.