The Rio Carnival is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter that officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. The run up to the main event sees carnivals taking place all over Brazil, but Rio’s has to be the most spectacular.

In a riot of colour and sound the best Samba schools parade through the Sambadrome on the evenings of the last Sunday and Monday of Lent. Tickets to watch this event are some of the hottest for any event in the world, but this is also the Ball Season and there are a huge number of parties that take place all over the city for both gay and straight party goers. If you’ve never been to Rio for carnival then it’s certainly one of the most spectacular events that takes place anywhere in the world.

Every Carnival Day

Evenings - Popular dances at Cinelândia
20.00 Concerts start at Samba Land and in Lapa
23.00 Rio Scala Ball

Friday, February 20th
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, February 21st
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, February 22nd
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Monday, February 23rd
21.00 Parade of the Samba Schools in the Special Group

Tuesday, February 24th
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

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Called the Marvelous City, Rio is a world-class gay destination. Devotees justifiably claim that no other city on the planet has as many stunningly beautiful people, offers such a gorgeous natural landscape, or is as friendly to visitors as this Brazilian playground. New Year’s Eve boasts all of the usual bars, clubs and restaurants that cater to our community, as well as the original R:evolution pool party at Estação do Corpo in Lagoa that gives you an excuse to show off even more of yourself.

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