Rio Carnival

The Rio Carnival Guide

El Misti Travel provides information about Rio Carnival 2011, about all aspects of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

Here you'll find all Rio Carnaval events, venues, its history, 2011 Rio Carnival tickets, costumes for the 2011 Samba Parade and Sambodromo information, accomplished with insiders´ recommendations.

You will be able to book your hotel-only and packages to Carnival in Rio, listen to the 2011 samba songs.

Although Carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese) is celebrated in towns and villages throughout Brazil and other Catholic countries, Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World.

The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, it as also a benchmark against which every other carnival is compared and one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe. Almost everyone has heard of the Rio Carnaval.

Foreign visitors to it alone number around 500,000 every year.

carnival-girl

One of the greatest elements of the Rio Carnaval is that it not only provides entertainment for many people around the world but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil. Carnival is very important to the Brazilians, it sums up their culture.

It is a euphoric event where people dance, sing, party and have tons of fun. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnival all night and all day.

It allows someone's true heart to come out and have as much fun as possible.

Rio Carnival is the result of months of preparation. People eagerly anticipate the start of each year's Rio Carnival. It begins with the crowning of the Fat King (King Momo), who is presented with a giant silver and gold key by the city's mayor.

RIO CARNIVAL DATES

When the official Carnival dates are? Why do the Carnival dates change every year?

Why it seems complicated to find out when the Carnival will fall? Well, it is a long history. We will abbreviate it, though.

This party has its origins in ancient Greece and Rome celebrations.

Later, it was incorporated into the Catholic liturgical calendar and allowed until the Ash Wednesday.

By the Catholic Calendar, Carnival is always celebrated seven Sundays before the Sunday of Easter. As this varies from March 22nd to April 25th, the Carnival dates also move.

Please note that we have included the day immediately before Carnival in these dates.

Actually, Carnival in Rio get started after the city mayor hands the key to Rei Momo (king Momo), the lord of Misrule and Revelry, a ceremony hold usually at Friday evening.

So if you want to make the most of Rio Carnival you can't miss the first night of this intense party!

Friday, March 4th
13.00 Opening Ceremony - the Carnival King (Momo) is crowned by the city mayor and receives the city´s keys
19.00 Children´s Samba Schools Parade

Saturday, March 5th
09.30 Street Band Cordão do Bola Preta (Downtown)
16.00 Banda de Ipanema meets at Praça General Osório, Ipanema
19.00 Official Costume Competition in Hotel Gloria
20.00 Street Band Competition in Av. Rio Branco, Centro (Downtown)
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Access Group
23.00 The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel

Sunday, March 6th
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Monday, March 7th
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Tuesday, March 8th
16.00 Banda de Ipanema marches for the last time
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in Group "B"
23.00 Gay Costume Ball in Rio Scala

Mangueira Carnival Ball
Thursday, March 3rd

It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional and well-known samba schools (Mangueira) without having to visit its rehearsal space. The School will have it all - its drummer group, its principal samba dancers and the flag bearer and her escort. It is a true and real samba night; you can dance all night or just watch and enjoy the crowd. This is a traditional event which happens every year.
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

Red and Black Ball
Friday, March 4th

This night celebrates and is dedicated to the world-famous Rio football team, Flamengo, with the red-and-black striped flag. It is one of the most popular nights.
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

Ball of the Marvelous City
Saturday, March 5th

The night celebrates and is dedicated to the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

A Night in Ibiza
Sunday, March 6th

This is the biggest ball in the series with some special guests, with a mix of electronic music and samba.
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

Ball of the ´Beer´
Monday, March 7th

A new event in the series. Unlimited free beer all night. Live music by a Carnival band taking turns with a Rio DJ (Mc Marcinho).
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

Gay Costume Ball
Tuesday, March 8th until 7:00 am

This is probably the most famous night in the series. A truly exotic collection of characters take to the two floors and a grand entrance is de rigueur. The ball is broadcast to the whole of Brazil. It attracts a flamboyant crowd with lots of drag queens and their admirers.
It is very popular with all folks not only gay boys and girls.
Standing Ticket
VIP box seat
Table for 4

Carnaval em Paraty
El Misti Hostels

O carnaval de 2012 acontecerá entre os dias 17 a 22 de fevereiro.
A cidade histórica de Paraty festeja o carnaval de rua, como antigamente.
Todos os dias, a toda hora, é possível encontrar bonecões, mascaradinhos, fantasiados e todo tipo de gente animada brincando nas ruas. Aliás, esse é o espírito do carnaval de rua em Paraty: muita brincadeira nas ruas, de forma livre e descontraída.
carnaval em Paraty. El Misti Hostel Paraty é só alegria antes, durante e depois do carnaval. Durante o mês de fevereiro, a cidade já oferece uma programação completa de shows, que culminam com o tradicional Carnamar.
O Carnamar é uma competição entre embarcações previamente inscritas onde as escunas concorrerão nos critérios de premiação mais enfeitada e mais animada. Já as Baleeiras e Barcos de Pesca vão concorrer apenas ao conjunto de premiações que será mais animada e mais enfeitada.

Paraty conta atualmente com vários blocos carnavalescos:

Os Paulos,
Vamos Que Tô,
Os Meninos do Pontal,
Paraty do Amanhã,
Acadêmicos da Patitiba,
que desfilam e divertem no Centro Histórico e na Avenida Roberto Silveira. Mas, o mais famoso deles é o Bloco da Lama.
carnaval em Paraty. El Misti Hostel Sua originalidade e bizarrice tem atraído a atenção da mídia e a curiosidade do público. Criado num sábado de carnaval, há mais de vinte e um anos, por alguns amigos que banhavam-se na lama medicinal da Praia do Jabaquara e, ao se perceberem irreconhecíveis, decidiram brincar incógnitos o carnaval. No ano seguinte, um grupo maior se reuniu e saiu em bloco no Sábado de carnaval, representando uma tribo pré-histórica: enlameados da cabeça aos pés, cobertos de trapos, carregando caveiras, cipós e ossadas, aos gritos de “uga, uga, rá, rá”! O Bloco da Lama tem, a cada ano, reunido um número maior de adeptos e sua passagem no sábado de carnaval, dizem, tem a função de espantar os maus espíritos e atrair a alegria para o Carnaval de Paraty.

Famoso no mundo inteiro, o Carnaval Paratiense atrai um público bastante animado todos os anos. São foliões de várias regiões do Brasil e do exterior que buscam na pequena cidade história muita animação durante os quatro dias de evento. Além dos blocos, o carnaval terá a participação do rei momo, banda Santa Cecília, e uma matinê na tenda montada na Praça da Matriz.