Carnaval
2013 happens from February 9 (Saturday) through 12
(Tuesday). We suggest arriving a few days earlier. There's
so much to do and see during Carnaval that you will not have
much time left to
explore the
city. Try to plan your Carnaval activities ahead to
sample the variety. Include in your must-do's the
Samba
Parade,
street carnaval, and
balls.
The whole summer is Carnaval season. To avoid the higher
rates charged by hotels during the main event, you could
arrive one or two weeks ahead. Banda de
Ipanema opens Carnaval 2013 street festivities on
January 26 (and of course we will be there. Enjoy our photo album by Silviano and the lovely performance of Carmen da Mala singing The South American Way. On the following weekend on Saturday (Feb. 2) Banda Simpatia é Quase Amor attracts a young and lovely crowd to Ipanema Beach. We are happy to share the images with you.
Samba
School rehearsals are another great pre-Carnaval idea. They
happen every weekend at the samba courts, known as quadras
de samba. These venues are in distant areas that are tricky
to get to. Go with a group in a package including a
local escort, and round-trip transportation. Once you're
inside, it's very safe. Samba school percussion bands or baterias sometimes play live at popular South Side dance
clubs and venues.
You may also consider a visit to the new City of the Samba, an area that was built specifically to lodge the workshops of Samba Schools, near the docks in the Downtown area. Though some details on floats are kept covered from prying eyes, you can see costumes being handcrafted.
The 2013 Samba School Parade happens at the Sambodrome on February 10 and 11. The show
starts at 9 p.m. and ends only with sunlight on the next
day. Do not let scalpers take advantage of you. Here is the face value of tickets as shown at the website kept by Liesa. On Sunday there was a line-up of six samba schools. On Monday six other samba schools do their magic for the grand finale. And on the following Saturday, February 16, it is time for the Champions' Parade, with only the best schools of the year.
Unidos da Tijuca was the champion of Carnaval 2012, and Salgueiro was the second best. The renovated Sambodrome is prettier than ever, acoustics have improved dramatically - and there are even more seats than before. Street Carnaval set new records, with over 400 bandas and blocos. Costume Carnaval Balls are back to their Golden Age, with incredible live attractions, luxurious decor, and affordable prices. Tthe off-Carnaval circuit featured a selection of parties with VIP international DJ's at major clubs and venues.
Feb. 10 - Sunday |
|
Feb. 11 - Monday |
| INOCENTES DE B. ROXO |
|
SAO CLEMENTE |
| SALGUEIRO |
|
MANGUEIRA |
| UNIDOS DA TIJUCA |
|
BEIJA-FLOR |
| UNIAO DA ILHA |
|
GRANDE RIO |
| MOCIDADE |
|
IMPERATRIZ |
| PORTELA |
|
VILA ISABEL |
This is the line-up for Samba Schools in 2013. If you are going to march with any of the samba schools, the concentration of odd numbered schools is at the side of building Balanca Mas Nao Cai, and even numbered schools concentrate on the side of the Correios, the Post Office Building.
The subway is open all night, but you have to walk a bit - and I got lost the last time I tried. Yellow cabs cannot drop you off at the door unless they purchase a special free pass sticker.
I prefer to take the special taxis that leave you inside the Sambodromo.
Feb. 7 - Thursday
Feb. 8 - Friday
Feb. 9 - Saturday
This is the first official Carnaval day. Banda de Ipanema concentrates at Praça
General Osório at 4 p.m. At night do not miss the legendary ball at the Copacabana
Palace Hotel. Luxury costumes or black tie are mandatory. You will rub shoulders
with a number of international and local VIP's, top models, the works. The Week is probably the best bet for clubbers, gays and lesbians (dance music sets the pace, not samba). Group A Samba Schools parade at the Sambodrome starting at 7 p.m. onwards, trying to climb their way
up (or back) to the special group. Tickets and costumes are lower-priced than at the main event.
Feb. 10 - Sunday
Today Banda Simpatia é Quase Amor takes over Ipanema Beach, with as many as 50 thousand revelers! This is your first chance to watch Special Group Samba
Schools march at Rio de Janeiro's Sambodrome. The show starts at
9 p.m., and ends around 6 a.m. There will be 6 samba schools, and each has from
70 to 85 minutes to march. Invest on a seat in a good sector. The Sambodrome has just been renovated, and now the even side mirrors the odd side. With an additional 12,500 seats, acoustics also improved. Prices offered by online vendors are marked up as much a ridiculous 150%, so spend you money wisely. More details are available at Meet
the Sambodrome. If you are traveling on a budget, watch the schools
concentrate outside the Sambodrome, and enjoy the live music shows at Terreirão do Samba!
February 11 - Monday
Monday is the second day of the competition. Six other samba schools take
over the Sambodrome runway known as the Passarela do Samba. Catch up with your sleep first to enjoy this samba marathon! If you are game for new experiences, consider marching
with a Samba School. Some Cariocas march with as many as 3 or 4 on a single
night! You do not have to go that far, but taking part in the show is such a
unique experience, that you could at least give it a though
t. If you are on a
budget, watch the concentration outside the Sambodromo, go to the balls, or watch the shows at Terreirão do
Samba.
Feb. 12 - Tuesday
Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday
is another day full of activities. In the afternoon Banda de Ipanema parades for the last time of the year. Bring your camera to capture the images of the hilarious
drag queens that march in front of the band. At night you have a number
of balls to choose from. At the Jockey Club and Club Scala there are gay costume balls. They are very
straight-friendly and even broadcast live on TV! Party with the most exotic
collection of characters you will ever see! Wear something colorful and fun, and
you may be picked out for an interview.
The winner of the Samba Parade is crowned on Wednesday. It is worthwhile
staying in town for a few more days. The Winners Parade is on Saturday, February 25. It
includes the six special group schools that made the best score, and the winner of
the Group A. On Sunday February 26 do not miss Monobloco, attracting as many as one million revelers to Downtown Rio.
February 16 - Saturday
February 17 - Sunday
- Monoblocowith Concentration at Av. Rio Branco in the Downtown area
