Samba Dancer in a beautifull costume

Rio Carnaval has become world-famous through the Samba Parade, a show, a display and competition of the Rio samba schools. The two major days are Carnival Sunday and Monday. Try not to miss it. If you really can’t afford it, at least go on some other day, which is significantly cheaper albeit less grand. The second best option is the Champions´ Parade on Saturday, followed by the Access Group parading on Carnival Friday.
See photos
There are 5 different parades in the Sambodromo.

1. Samba Schools in the Special Group
Sunday, February 14th and Monday, February 15th – See time-table
This is the “THE” Parade, the highlight of the Rio Carnival. The must-see show which has made Rio de Janeiro the Carnival capital of the world. All the Carnival world revolves around these two nights.
The schools belonging to this group are especially magnificent and sumptuous.
The two nights are similar in terms of set-up. 6 of the best 12 samba schools march on both Sunday and Monday. Choose the one which best fits into your schedule.
Doors open at 17:00, opening ceremony at 20:00, parades start at 21:00.
Rehearsals – The schools’ 2010 samba songs

The Dancer on top of a float during the Parade

3. Samba Schools in the Access Group (Group A)
Saturday, February 13th , starts at 21:00
There are 10 large samba schools in this group, following the best 12 schools in the Special Group. The champion of this parade ascends to the Special Group. See Photos

4. Samba Schools in Group “B”
Tuesday, February 16th, starts at 21:00
This is called the base group, from which the big schools originated. They are small, each school having approximately 1,500 participants. Nevertheless they also parade with much vigor to defend their status. {Rather go to the Champions´ Parade or Access Group.}

5. Children’s Samba Schools
Friday, February 12th, 19:00 (doors open at 17:00)
These are branches of the big samba schools, formed by children of each community.
Their parade follows the procedure of the big schools.

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