Rio Carnival 2013 Dates: February 9 Through February 13

Get To Know What Is Rio Carnival All About.

The' Greatest Show on Earth' continues, with the celebrations kicking off on February 09th 2013 through to the early hour of February 13nd, Ash Wednesday. The Carnival season is a celebration of joy, peace, and camaraderie. To experience the intensity of Rio Carnival there is nothing like booking a ticket to the Sambadrome and other popular events. Be prepared to be part of the frenzied celebrations that reaches its crescendo during the Champions Parade at the Sambadrome.

Rio Carnival

Experience carnival festivities at Rio samba parades

Earlier, the streets of Rio played host to the Rio Carnival until the Sambadrome, designed by the famous Carioca architect Oscar Niemeyer, came into existence in 1984 due to the increase in the number of participants. The Sambadrome is a well designed stadium that can accommodate 80,000 spectators and over 30,000 participants displaying their talents down the runway. It consists of several independent structures, known as sectors, on both sides of Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue.

The Sambadrome reverberates to the sounds of the samba drums and chanting from thousands of spectators that flock to the stadium to join in the Samba Parade. Spread over 5 days leading up to Lent in the Christian Calendar, the Rio Carnival portrays Brazilian culture at its best. All eyes are on the twelve samba schools that put up an incredible show complete with dazzling and sensuous costumes, music that captivates the soul, and incredible props and floats. Samba Parades are held on four days where the top performances are by six samba schools on Sunday and the other six on Monday, each vying for the coveted champion's title.

The Samba Parade at the Sambadrome is a well orchestrated event, with contributions from thousands of people that ensure the event is a resounding success every year. A panel of around 40 judges seated at strategic points along the parade route keeps a keen eye on each school's performance, giving points for percussion, costumes, floats, samba song, flag bearer, theme of the year, and more. As the parade moves down the strip, the crowds go wild in the stands, singing and dancing in unison with the participants. The electrifying atmosphere is contagious where the entire stadium is transformed into one big giant party. The winner is announced on Ash Wednesday, the day after the Carnival.

Flaunt your talent in a flamboyant carnival costume

Undoubtedly, what captures the eyes of millions of viewers from around the world are the dazzling and glittering costumes painstakingly designed by members of the samba schools. From the incredibly sexy to the flamboyant and outlandish, each costume has a story to tell. The creativity of the talented designers is boundless when it comes to the Rio Carnival. Most importantly, everyone is invited to join in the Carnival celebrations in a costume. While costumes can be ordered along with tickets to the Sambadrome, those wishing to join in the street parties ought to consider wearing a costume to experience the true spirit of the Carnival.

Samba Schools – The heart of the Rio Carnival

The Rio Carnival wouldn't exist without the contribution of samba schools formed by groups of people from various communities in the city. Men, women, and children from each neighborhood come together irrespective of their social status to design and construct everything required for the Samba Parade, including composition of their individual samba theme song. Each school has its own set of dancers, musicians, and a team of choreographers who along with the costume designers and float builders create a unique performance for the Samba Parade. While the competitive spirit of each school remains strong, it does not lessen the camaraderie as each school vies for the championship title at the Sambadrome. Their enthusiasm at the Carnival is unmatched and rarely experienced at any other event on the planet.

Carnival Tickets sell out soon

Carnival tickets are always in great demand since many people desire to experience the magic of the extravaganza in its entirety. While everyone in Rio wants to be a part of the celebrations, people from all over the world are equally anxious about reserving a seat at the Sambadrome. With only 80,000 seats available at the stadium, you need to book your carnival tickets well in advance. The price for tickets varies according to the type of seating and the schools parading on a particular night. Tickets in the grandstand sectors are cheaper than the other seating options. In addition to the Samba Parade at the Sambadrome, tickets are also available for the equally glamorous carnival balls like the Magic Ball at the Copacabana Beach Hotel, and the other popular events including the Gay Ball at Scala. Tickets to some balls are hard to get while others are readily available on the day of the event. Samba schools invite you to join in the parade at the Sambadrome by purcahing a ticket along with a costume for the event. You will need to wear the costume of the samba school that sponsor's you.

Rio's glamorous Carnival Balls

The partying never stops during the Rio Carnival. The festivities continue for four nights, with each night presenting a different experience as several carnival balls are held throughout the city. The affluent compete for a prime spot at the prestigious and glamorous Magic Ball at the Copacabana Palace, one of the most expensive balls held during the carnival. The Scala, a nightclub in downtown Rio hosts a number of balls culminating with the Gay Costume Ball, the most popular event during the festivities outside the Sambadrome.

Street Parties – The life of the Carnival

Revelers are always welcome to join the street parties that take place at every corner in the city. No matter where you go you will find hundreds of people with their hips gyrating to the mesmerizing beats of the samba. Most street parties begin at a street corner or a bar and march through the city, gathering a frenzied group of revelers along the way. At the center of every street party are bands that lead the parades. Among the most popular street parties is the Banda de Ipanema, which attracts a large gay crowd. The Simpatia é Quase Amor street party is more of a family oriented event ideal for the kids to join in. These bands compose their own samba songs with the samba drummers providing the foot stomping beats to keep the thousands of revelers dancing to their rhythms.

Street parties begin as early as January and continue until the end of the Carnival. Leblon, the upscale area of Rio is known for its beaches and vibrant nightlife where Carnival parties are never in short supply. One of the most scintillating street parties is the "Estica do Flamengo" at Flamengo, one of Rio's popular neighborhoods. To literally soak in the revelry you can follow the Barbas block party where a water truck sprays the crowd as the party heats up through the night. Lapa has an incredible amount of youngsters that host street parties. The neighborhood is also the best place to sample traditional Brazilian cuisine and other mouthwatering delicacies.

Street Parties

Experience the sights and sounds of rio on a tour of the city

The magnificent city of Rio de Janeiro has plenty to offer the discerning traveler. From the imposing Christ the Redeemer Statute to Sugar Loaf Mountain and pristine beaches, Rio has many places worth visiting. A tour of the city will allow you to soak in the sights and sounds of Brazil and carioca culture at its best.

Rio Carnival – A treat for everyone

The Rio Carnival is not about exposing plenty of flesh and adult partying. The festivities include activities suited for families, couples, group travelers, and members of alternative lifestyles. The Children's Parade at the Sambadrome is one of the first events where the future samba professionals display their own talents. Children are always welcome at street parties with plenty of fun and excitement for them. Gay and lesbians have plenty to cheer about when it comes to the Rio Carnival. Apart from joining in the revelry on the streets, the Gay Costume Ball at the Scala is one of the most prestigious events during the Carnival celebrations. Wherever you go, the vibrant colors, the sensuous samba dancers, and the spinning rhythms of the samba drummers are what make the Rio Carnival what it is today.

Soak in the sun at Rio's famous beaches

Rio is known for its pristine, sun kissed beaches that include the famous Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. Surrounding the beaches are magnificent mountains and tropical rainforests that offer the most picturesque settings. While the girls from Ipanema are well known for their string bikinis and beach bodies, the beaches of Rio have something for everyone. You can choose to relax and soak in the sun with a few caipirinhas to quench your thirst, play soccer with the local, go surfing, or simply enjoy building sand castles with the kids. Most importantly, you get to experience the carioca way of life, which is to relax and party hard. Amidst all the frenzy of the Rio Carnival, the city's beaches offer you the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate before the sun sets and the parties continue. Sunbathers love to flock to Copacabana Beach, the very heart of Rio's beach culture. Other beaches popular with families are Leblon, Leme, Barra, Recreio, and Prainha, each one with its distinct characteristics. For stunning views of the sunset, a visit to Arpoador beach is a must. Serious surfers come here to ride the excellent surfing waves. The beautiful sea-side town of Angra-dois-reis is known for its gigantic waterfalls and tropical jungles.

Exciting tailor-made Rio Carnival packages

The Carnival attracts a large number of tourists with hotels and resorts offering excellent deals and a host of packages including carnival tickets. We offer you the best possible service with experts always willing to suggest the best tour package to suit your needs. For enquiries and bookings, our customer service agents are available around the clock to help make your trip to the Rio Carnival the most memorable one.

Rio Carnival