Street Carnival Route

Rio Carnival 2024 starts oficially on February 12nd. Nevertheless, a lot of joy and fun is already running since three weeks before, not only with the technical rehearsals of the Samba Schools from the Special Group, but also with the rehearsals of street bands and carnival groups that already prepare themselves for the very expected and traditional "street carnival" in Rio. It is a question of bringing together millions of revelers dressed with costumes made at home, shirts printed with names of the band or group they are parading for, or simply dressed with beach clothes. People from Rio, Brazilian or foreign tourists, whoever... they are all in the streets, avenues and squares to sing and to dance on the samba rhythm!

Open-air-fun, irreverence, simplicity and great joy characterize these street bands and groups arisen from meetings of neighbors, colleagues, or just friends who meet themselves on the beach. The street bands and groups are very similar to Samba School guilds in terms of organization. They concentrate themselves in a place previously arranged, where people meet themselves and wait for parading on a determined path inside the neighborhoods to which they belong, drawing who has the enough energy to go along with. Because the greatest part of the parades occurs during the day (in the morning or in the afternoon) it is appropriate for people of all ages (since children to elderly).

Finally... what would be the difference between a street band and a street group? This question is intensively discussed among the carnival specialists. Some of them affirm that only street bands are composed of brass instruments; others explain that street bands only play little marches and old sambas, while street groups have a specific theme to be developed also in the samba lyrics which are full of critical spirit and humor sense. In fact, there are more than 300 street bands and groups spread all over the city, with different sizes, types and formats. Next, there are some suggestions to the most popular ones. Prepare yourself to live and feel the true spirit of street carnival!

Cordão do Bola Preta - Very very traditional street group, it has been taking part of Rio's carnival since the 50's! It concentrates itself in Cinelândia, Downtown, used to receive around 30.000 revelers.

Simpatia É Quase Amor - Street group composed of some journalists who used to meet at a bar in Ipanema. It counts on themes committed to politics, conquering the fidelity of several followers.

Banda de Ipanema - This street band is, without a doubt, the highlight! It is due to its enthusiasm and tradition. Perhaps it concentrates the greatest diversity of people, without disturbing the peace and harmony. Here there are straights with their families, gays (also with theirs families, partners, or alone) and drag queens with glamorous costumes, making their unique show.

Cordão do Boi Tatá - This successful street group parades in Downtown and it is composed of young university students. Only songs of the 40's, 50's and 60's are part of the music set, so, if you want to go along with it, you should wear costumes as in these old times.

Rio Maracatu - Other street group with young people. It has got around 25 musicians and dancers. Even though the general public is composed of university students, it also attracts people from the Northeast who are living in Rio and want to catch up with the nostalgia for their homeland, since this street group puts on the dances of old carnivals from the northeast part of the country. Last year, the group paraded on the south part of Rio de Janeiro's city.

Carmelitas - Street group of Santa Tereza's neighborhood, very famous due to its location. Santa Tereza is a place where sorts of artists live, being essencially a cultural neighborhood. This street group also brings up political themes and its lyrics usually refer to some Brazilian authority or celebrity. Carmelitas is the name of a sisterhood of a historical convent in Santa Tereza. Don't forget to take your nun's hat as part of the costume.