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Festive block parties, chic nightclub events, and over-the-top Samba parades … Carnival in Rio de Janeiro has a multitude of fun experiences for gay travelers. (And, you can heat things up even more with our listings of Rio de Janeiro’s gay saunas and sex clubs!) Here’s the full list of gay-friendly events from Carnival 2019. (Check back later for the full agenda before 2020.) Leave your feedback for VamosGay via email, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
| Sat Jan 13 3PM – 8PM Location: Centro Google Map » |
Bloco Toco Xona: Pre-Carnival One of the the most popular blocos for girls-who-like-girls, Bloco Toco Xona welcomes gay boys too! This year, Toco Xona will celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Learn more from our guide to LGBT blocos. |
| Sat Jan 20 3PM – 8PM Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Banda de Ipanema In the heart of gay Ipanema, this banda is biggest of all of the gay-friendly blocos. Learn more from our guide to LGBT-friendly blocos. |
| Sat Jan 27 3PM – 8PM Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Banda de Ipanema One more pre-Carnival bloco which is sure to pack the streets around Ipanema beach. After the street party winds down, catch the sunset on the beach, have a shower, and try dinner at Felice. |
| Date TBD Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Simpatia é Quase Amor Get in the spirit with this pre-Carnival bloco from the free-spirited Simpatia e Quase Amor. Learn more about them from our guide to LGBT-friendly blocos. So far, this bloco has not provided a date and time for 2018, but we hope to have an update soon. |
| Sun Feb 4 9:30A-1:30P Location: Centro Google Map » |
Bloco Fogo e Paixão This bloco of “fire and passion” is very queer friendly … and a great place to warm-up your party muscles before Bloco da Preta. Event info, and video of a past Fogo e Paixao block party. |
| Sun Feb 4 8AM- 1PM Location: Centro Google Map » |
Bloco da Preta The biggest gay-friendly pre-Carnival bloco featuring singer Preta Gil. Carnival organizers estimate attendance of 400,00! The warm-up starts at 8am, but the parade will “launch” at 10am. |
| Fri Feb 9 11:PM Location: The Week RJ Google Map » |
Carnaval at The Week Carnival opens with a bang at Rio’s biggest and best gay nightclub. DJs keep the sweaty dance floors moving at The Week. |
| Sat Feb 10 3PM – 9PM Location: TBD Google Map » |
Bloco Toco Xona (unconfirmed) By the girls, and for the girls! This bloco is known for its skilled female Carnival drummers. Gay guys are always welcome to join in on the fun. |
| Sat Feb 10 5 :30PM Location: Centro Google Map » |
Banda de Ipanema The first of three Carnival week blocos from the biggest GLS/LGBT-friendly banda in Rio. Catch them again on Monday and Tuesday. Learn more about Banda da Ipanema from our guide to GLS blocos. |
| Date TBD Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Simpatia é Quase Amor Get a second shot of peace-and-love, as this gay-friendly bloco returns to Ipanema. The start time is 2pm, but this laid-back Sunday parade will start … whenever it starts. |
| Sun Feb 11 1PM – 1AM Location: Mansão Carioca Google Map » |
Joy Party at Mansão Carioca The party continues at the gorgeous mansion known as Mansao Carioca. Enjoy the line-up of DJs by the pool and check out the eye candy. Highly recommended! Event info & tickets |
| Mon Feb 12 Time TBD Location: Centro Google Map » |
Bloco Bunytos de Corpo (TBD) Jazzercize your way down to Praça Tiradentes for a bizarre (yet fun) gay-friendly bloco celebrating the fitness craze of the ’80s. (Note: Bunytos de Corpo has not officially announced anything for 2017, but they do enjoy surprises. We’ll update this listing ASAP.) |
| Mon Feb 12 4PM Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Banda de Ipanema Return to Praça General Osório for more samba, good vibes. This Monday edition will be kid-friendly |
| Date TBD Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Simpatia é Quase Amor Free-spirited bloco brings everyone together to parade through Praça General Osório. Check our guide to LGBT-friendly blocos for more on Simpatia é Quase Amor. |
| Tue Feb 13 5:30PM Location: Ipanema Google Map » |
Banda da Ipanema Carnival Tuesdays can to be slow. Spend a relaxing day on the beach, find a gay friendly restaurant for lunch then hang out in Ipanema for one last party with the Banda. |
| Tue Feb 13 6PM Location: Lapa Google Map » |
Banda das Quengas What’s more fun than a slut-walk? A block party of whores! (That’s the literal translation of this bloco‘s name.) Your excuse to dress like a five dollar hooker and get drunk in the streets has arrived. (Start time not confirmed yet. Will update this listing when it’s official.) |
| Tue Feb 13 11PM Location: Scala Rio Google Map » |
Scala Gay Ball The grande finale of Carnival! Located in the Scala nightclub with three sections, DJs, live samba, food and drinks. Doors open before midnight, but 1AM is a better time to arrive. Learn more info on the Scala Rio Gay Ball. |
| Tue Feb 28 All-Night Location: Everywhere Google Map » |
Hit the Bars! Every gay bar in Rio will be running some sort of promotion. If you choose to skip the Scala, you can still have a fun time. (And don’t forget, the gay saunas will be open for those looking for a different kind of fun before Ash Wednesday when Carnival is officially over.) |