Rio Carnival Blocos: the party is on the streets!

Carnival Blocos in Rio de Janeiro / source

We’ve already come up with a guide to the Sambódromo for those who are going to spend Carnival in Rio and want to see the samba schools parade. Today, we’re going to talk about the most popular Mardi Gras party in Brazil: the one that  takes place on the streets, with the performance of the so-called “Blocos de Carnaval” (carnival blocks). At the end, we will post a schedule of Carnival Blocos so you can plan ahead for your carnival days.

So what are the Rio Carnival Blocos? Well, according to Wikipedia they are street bands of the Pernambuco state Carnival (a state in the North of Brazil). But they are so much more than that. Besides Olinda and Recife, they are also really famous in Salvador and – of course – Rio de Janeiro, where they are the perfect complement to the samba school parades. Actually, the perfect Carnival day would be to start the party early in the morning and spend the day enjoying the blocks and, at night, go to the Sambódromo.

A Carnival Bloco is a more intimate version of a samba school / source

There is a central characteristic, which is the fact that they perform samba on the streets. But each city – you could even say each Bloco -  has its own features. In Rio, for example, there is a recent tendency to mix all kinds of musical rhythms with samba and you can find blocks that play Beatles or more romantic songs – but of course, the more traditional ones are the most successful!

In the Marvelous City, performances start in early January and as Carnival gets closer, there are more and more blocos out in the streets. The amount of people that attend the performance also grows to the point where during Carnival there can be up to a million people partying at one carnival bloco.

You'll see people with the most amazing dressings! / source

That’s why it is so important to be careful with your personal belongings when at a Carnival block. If you are in Rio during Carnival, leave the hotel with as little valuables as possible – even if you're not planning to go to a bloco, as you may cross a crowded street party at any time of the day. It’s better to avoid big bags and pockets that are very wide because of pick pocketing
.

Another important Carnival block tip is to only use public transportation. Renting a car in Rio during Carnival is simply going to drive you crazy. There are a lot of streets closed off and parking in a secure place is a challenge when there are party people all over the place.

There is a carnival block for every taste and theme! / source

Hydrate! During carnival days, your carnival blocks marathon can last an entire day and being out in the sun with the typical hot weather of Rio in February can be really tough on your body.

Now that you are armed with some great Carnival insider tips, it's time to have some fun in the streets of Rio! Here's a list of the very best, recommended Carnival blocos in Rio de Janeiro.

February 8^th

Carmelitas

Traditional block that parades in Santa Teresa neighbourhood.
Expected public: 10 thousand people
Time: 1pm-7pm
Leaves from: Rua Dias de Barros / Ladeira de Santa Teresa

February 9 ^th

Céu na Terra

Traditional block that also parades in Santa Teresa neighbourhood.
Expected public: 8 thousand people
Time: 8am-1pm
Leaves from: Largo do Curvelo

Céu na Terra originally performed inside the Santa Teresa tramway / source

Simply the most popular Carnival Block in RioCordão do Bola Preta

Expected public: 2 million people (!)
Time: 9am-2pm
Leaves from: Av. Rio Branco / Av. Presidente Vargas (downtown)

Empolga às 9

Block that performs on Copacabana Beach
Expected public: 10 thousand people
Time: 10am-2pm
Leaves from: Av. Atlântica (Posto 6)

Banda de Ipanema

The only LGBT bloco in Rio Carnival
Expected public: 80 thousand people
Time: 5pm-10pm
Leaves from: Rua Gomes Carneiro (between Prudente de Morais and Av. Vieira Souto), Ipanema

Be free and have fun at the Banda de Ipanema block / source

February 10^th

Bangalafumenga

Famous block that does not parade – it is static, like if it was a concert
Expected public: 50 thousand people
Time: 9am-2pm
Performs at: Av. Infante Dom Henrique (between Marina da Glória and “Pracinhas” Monument), Flamengo

Cordão do Boitatá

One of the most popular blocos in Rio
Expected public: 30 thousand people
Time: 10am-5pm
Performs at: Praça XV (a square downtown)

Simpatia é Quase Amor

Famous Ipanema bloco
Expected public: 80 thousand people
Time: 4pm-8pm
Leaves from: Rua Teixeira de Melo (between Rua Prudente de Moraes and Av. Vieira Souto)

Talking about "amor" (love)... / source

February 11^th

Sargento Pimenta

Popular block that plays Beatles songs in samba rhythm.
Expected public: 80 thousand people
Time: 3pm-8pm
Performs at: Av. Infante Dom Henrique (between Marina da Glória and “Pracinhas” Monument), Flamengo

Bloco Cru

Rock’n’Roll block
Expected public: 10 thousand people
Time: 6pm-9pm
Performs at: Praça XV (a square downtown)

February 12^th

Orquestra Voadora

Famous block that attracts a young crowd with an Age of Aquarius theme
Expected public: 50 thousand people
Time: 2pm-6pm
Leaves from: Rua Gomes Carneiro (between Prudente de Morais and Av. Vieira Souto), Ipanema

Orquestra Voadora: peace, love and great music! / source