rio de janeiro

Schedule: Gay-Friendly Carnival in Rio 2026 Day by Day

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Carnival in Rio 2026 (at-a-glance): The official peak is Friday, Feb 13 through Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026 — but Rio’s street season (blocos) is expected to start as early as Saturday, Jan 17, 2026. This page is designed to be a scrollable day-by-day plan. For the final street-bloco routes and start times, confirm during Carnival week on the official calendar: carnavalderua.rio.

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Where to Stay (Two easy bases)

  • Centro / Sapucaí-heavy plan: If your week is built around Sambódromo nights and Centro megablocos, we like the Windsor Guanabara Hotel as a practical base (easy logistics, especially when you’re not trying to cross the entire city at 3am).
  • Ipanema / “gay beach” plan: If your priorities are Farme de Amoedo, Ipanema energy, and being close to the gay traveler zone, we like the Sol Ipanema Hotel (beachfront, excellent location for the Rio you actually came for).

More hotel browsing: see our full list of Gay-Friendly Hotels & Apartments in Rio.

Jan 17 onward: Street Carnival begins (Pre-Carnival season)

From mid-January, weekends start filling with street blocos across the city — especially Centro, Flamengo, and the South Zone (Ipanema/Copacabana). The exact calendar changes fast, but the rhythm stays the same: daytime street parties + nights that drift to Lapa (or to bed, if you’re wise).

Jan 30 – Feb 8: Sambódromo Technical Rehearsals (FREE entry)

If you want a “Sambódromo taste test” before the official parade nights, the technical rehearsals are one of the best free things you can do in Rio. They’re full-scale rehearsals with real energy — and you’ll learn quickly why Carnival is not a casual hobby.

Fri, Jan 30 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 21:00 – Acadêmicos de Niterói
  • Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
  • Estação Primeira de Mangueira
  • Unidos da Tijuca

Sat, Jan 31 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 18:00 – Escolas Mirins (3 schools) – opening of rehearsals
  • 20:00 – Unidos de Vila Isabel
  • Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
  • Paraíso do Tuiuti
  • Portela

Sun, Feb 1 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 17:30 – Escolas Mirins (3 schools)
  • 19:00 – Unidos do Viradouro
  • Imperatriz Leopoldinense
  • Acadêmicos do Grande Rio
  • Beija-Flor de Nilópolis

Fri, Feb 6 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 21:00 – Acadêmicos de Niterói
  • Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
  • Estação Primeira de Mangueira
  • Unidos da Tijuca

Sat, Feb 7 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 18:00 – Lavagem da Passarela
  • After: Unidos de Vila Isabel
  • Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
  • Paraíso do Tuiuti
  • Portela

Sun, Feb 8 (Technical Rehearsals)

  • 18:00 – Escolas Mirins (2 schools)
  • 19:00 – Unidos do Viradouro
  • Imperatriz Leopoldinense
  • Acadêmicos do Grande Rio
  • Beija-Flor de Nilópolis

Tip: If you’re staying in Centro for these nights, the Windsor Guanabara base makes the “back to the hotel” part of your night dramatically easier.

Fri, Feb 13, 2026 — Série Ouro (Sapucaí) Night 1

This is the opening of the big Sambódromo weekend. Série Ouro has real passion and (often) a fun “closer to the crowd” vibe.

  • Night plan: Sambódromo (Série Ouro).
  • Day plan: Keep it simple. Save your legs and your liver.
  • Logistics: Don’t over-carry. One card, small cash, cheap phone if possible.

Sat, Feb 14, 2026 — Série Ouro Night 2 + daytime megablocos

Saturday is usually the “Rio turns the volume up” day. Expect major street events in the morning/afternoon, then Série Ouro at night.

  • Daytime watchlist: Centro megabloco energy (confirm your picks on carnavalderua.rio).
  • Classic megabloco watchlist: Cordão da Bola Preta often lands on a major Saturday (confirm the 2026 listing).
  • Night plan: Sambódromo (Série Ouro).

If you’re doing an Ipanema-based day: staying at (or near) the Sol Ipanema makes it easy to bounce between beach, street energy, and a quick reset before the night shift.

Sun, Feb 15, 2026 — Grupo Especial Night 1 + major pop/gay event

Grupo Especial begins. This is peak spectacle season.

  • Daytime: Pick ONE plan: (A) street blocos, or (B) rest + get ready for Sambódromo. Doing both is how you end up sitting on a curb at 2am questioning your life choices.
  • Confirmed pop/gay-friendly ticketed event: Treta Bloco at the MAM (Museu de Arte Moderna) is scheduled for Carnival Sunday (Feb 15). If you want a curated “big pop bloco” experience with a gay-heavy crowd, this is one to watch. (Always confirm last-minute details on the official ticket/Instagram pages.)
  • Night: Sambódromo (Grupo Especial – Night 1).

Gay bloco shortcut: For a living list of LGBTQIA+ friendly blocos and party notes, use: Gay Carnival “Blocos” of Rio de Janeiro.

Mon, Feb 16, 2026 — Grupo Especial Night 2

Monday is a smart day to pace yourself — especially if you’re planning to stay out through Tuesday.

  • Daytime: Beach + light blocos (or nap + electrolytes). Your future self will be grateful.
  • Night: Sambódromo (Grupo Especial – Night 2).

Tue, Feb 17, 2026 — Grupo Especial Night 3 (Carnival Tuesday)

The finale day. Street energy is intense because everyone knows it’s the last official day of “main week” (even though Rio will absolutely keep partying afterward).

  • Daytime: Final street blocos (confirm your picks on carnavalderua.rio).
  • Night: Sambódromo (Grupo Especial – Night 3).
  • Late-night reality: Transit after the Sambódromo can be messy. Don’t wing it. Know your route home.

Sat, Feb 21, 2026 — Desfile das Campeãs (Champions Parade)

The victory lap. If you want the Sambódromo experience with a celebratory vibe (less “competition nerves,” more “we did it”), Champions Parade night is a great pick.

  • Night: Sambódromo (Desfile das Campeãs).

Two essential links during Carnival week

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