All about Rio Carnival 2009
- Know everything about the 2009 Carnival
in Rio de Janeiro - programs, events and venues
with description, recommendations, schedule
and ticket details. You will also find 2009
Samba Parade tickets and costumes
on this site. You will find the full and up-to-date
program details in your
Guide. Learn the 2009
samba songs.
Rio Carnival 2009 starts
on Friday, February 20th and ends on Fat Tuesday,
February 24th.
SAMBA PARADES IN THE SAMBODROMO
Rio Carnaval has become world-famous through the Samba Parade, a show, display and competition of the Rio samba schools. The two major days are Carnival Sunday and Monday. Only miss them if you can't afford to go. In that case you can go on some other day, which are significantly cheaper and also give you a good idea of the samba schools´ performance. 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 22nd and Monday, February
23rd - See
time-table
This is the THE Parade, the high-point 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'
2009 samba songs
2. Champions Parade
Saturday, February 28th - See
time-table
Starts at 21.00 but a small Italian school already parades at 20:.00
The 6 best samba schools of the Special Group, from Sunday and Monday, parade in all their splendor once more, with fireworks.
{Beautiful, too however much quieter and cheaper
than the principal competition days on Sunday
and Monday. This is the second best parade.}
3. Samba Schools in the Access Group (Group A)
Saturday, February 21st , starts at
21:00
There are 10 large and important samba schools in this group, ranking after 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 24th, starts at 21:00
It is also 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 20th, 19:00 (doors open at
17:00)
They are branches of the big samba schools, formed by children of each community.
Their parade follows the procedure of the big schools.
2009
RIO CARNIVAL BALLS
Rio de Janeiro, as the City of Carnival, offers a selection of Carnival balls you really should not miss. You won't have to spend a fortune to have a great time. Tickets to most balls will cost you around R$30 to R$50 ($15-20) and are available on the door. Exceptions are the two most famous ones in the luxury hotels Copacabana Palace and Gloria. Other great balls are in Rio Scala. Clube dos Caiçaras and the Hard Rock Cafe's Kid's Folia also organize animated costume balls for adults and children. There are more theme balls city-wide e.g. balls for singles etc.
Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of a few balls. Putting on one will help you get in the right mood and will make the night even more special, though. Bear in mind however that Rio is the capital of Carnival and costume standards are very high.
A true Carnival ball features live music and samba rules the floors. The percussion groups are full of vigor and can be just as loud as vast loud-speakers in a night club.
The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel
Saturday, February 21st, from 23:00
This legendary ball is not just the high point of the night but also the most famous Carnival ball; the natural choice for glamour and sophistication. Luxury costume or black tie/evening dress is required, and a number of international and local VIPs are always among the guests. All tickets include buffet dinner and free bar.
There are different tickets for the individual dining rooms. All tickets provide access to all ballrooms.
Tickets for the Golden Room include a seat at a table of 6, 10 or 12 people.
Tickets for the Noble Room include a seat at a table of 10 or 12.
Standing tickets do not offer a table seat; however, good weather allowing, there will be tables on the balcony.
Golden Room: R$1,950.00
Noble Room: R$1,300.00
Standing: R$1,000.00
Box: R$2,750 per person
Venue: Copacabana Palace Hotel, Avenida Atlantica 1702 - Copacabana
Tel: (+55 21) 2545 8790
Official Costume Competition
in Hotel Gloria
Saturday, February 21st
This is a very traditional Carnival event
in Rio with the best, biggest and most original
costumes of the year (mainly the so called
destaques). It offers you the chance to see
the best costumes of the principal samba schools
before the Samba Parade, at close hand. There
are also entrants with costumes only made
especially for this event.
It is a big night with app. 900 people attending
and it takes place in the halls of Hotel Gloria,
one of the best and smartest hotels in Rio.
The presentation is very theatrical. The huge
and dazzling costumes represent historical
characters or any chosen theme, according
to the imagination of the gentlemen, ladies
and drag queens who participate in the event.
They compete in 4 categories: the sumptuous,
the original, drag queen and soul.
You do not have to wear a costume; you can
just go and see the competition.
Venue: Hotel Gloria, Rua do Russel 632 - Gloria
Doors open at 18.30 and the competition starts
at 19.00. It finishes at about 22:30.
Admission: R$50.00 - free ticket delivery
within the city of Rio
Tickets are on sale at the hotel or at Rua
Senador Dantas 117 / Room 2009 - Centro (Downtown)
or call and reserve on 2267-1692 / 8804-9484
(Senhora Nilce-only Portuguese spoken).
Ball Masque 2009
Friday, February 27th, 22:00-05:00
Live music taking turns with a DJ and the
drummers of Imperatriz,
one of the best Rio samba schools. This will
be its third year and this time the theme
is 'Moulin Rouge' .
Dress formal or wear a fancy-dress.
Venue: Hotel Sofitel, Av. Atlântica 4240 /
Level E - Copacabana
Admission: R$370.00
Table seat per person: R$500.00
Prices include free buffet and drinks
Tel: (+55 21) 2525-1206 (Alexandra-English
spoken 9:00-18:00)
SCALA BALLS
In its 20th year, the Scala nightclub offers thematic dances every
night during Carnival, having the grandest
indoor carnival parties of the city. The venue
is big and very well-known.
Venue: Rio Scala, Avenida Afrânio de Melo
Franco 296 - Leblon
Tel: (+55 21)2239-4448 / 2511-4140 (only Portuguese
spoken)
You will find standard tickets for most events on the door even on the night, just do not arrive too late.
You are advised to buy tickets for the Gala and the Gay Costume balls 3-5 days in advance. Reserve tables and boxes 3-5 days in advance on the above number.
Table prices per table seating 4 people.
VIP box prices are per person and include unlimited alcoholic drinks (except whiskey) and free buffet with sushi, fruit and snack bar.
Thursday, January 19th
Mangueira Carnival Ball
It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional and well-known samba schools (Mangueira) without having to visit its rehearsal space. The School will have it all - its drummer group, its principal samba dancers and the flag bearer and her escort. It is a true and real samba night; you can dance all night or just watch and enjoy the crowd. This is a traditional event which happens every year.
Admission: R$40.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00
Friday, February 20th
Red and Black Ball
This night celebrates and is dedicated to the world-famous Rio football team, Flamengo, with the red-and-black striped flag. It is one of the most popular nights.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$190.00
Table: R$600.00
Saturday, February 21st
Ball of the Marvelous City
The night celebrates and is dedicated to the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$190.00
Table: R$600.00
Sunday, February 22nd
Gala Ball
This is the biggest ball in the series with some special guests.
Admission: R$40.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00
Monday, February 23rd
Ball of the ´Beer´
A new event in the series. Unlimited and free beer all night. Live music by a Carnival band taking turns with a Rio DJ (Mc Marcinho).
Admission: R$50.00
VIP box seat: R$160.00
Table: R$300.00
Tuesday, February 24th until
7:00 am
Gay Costume Ball
It is probably the most famous night in the series. A truly exotic collection of characters take to the two floors and a grand entrance is de rigueur - the ball is broadcast to the whole of Brazil. A flamboyant crowd with lots of drag queens and their admirers.
It is very popular with all folks not only gay boys and girls.
Admission: R$80.00
VIP box seat: R$200.00
Table: R$700.00
SAMBA LAND (TERREIRÃO DO SAMBA)
February 13, 14, February 20-24,
27 and 28
Starting at 19:00 and finishing at around
5:30 the following morning
Open-air space that resurrects the atmosphere
of Praça Onze, a big square Downtown near
the Sambodromo,
which is the cradle of samba as samba is supposed
to have been born around here.
It is officially inaugurated before Carnival, functioning at full steam through all the nights of the festivity. You can go, have a bite in one of the 50 food stands and booze (a bit). You will be listening to a big verity of music with live concerts on the stage
Venue: Praça Onze, Centro (Downtown)
Admission: R$5.00 available on the door
MERRY MAKING IN LAPA
All Carnival nights (Friday-Tuesday) from 20:00 until dawn
It takes place near the Arches of Lapa, where the young usually gather on Friday nights all year around.
Rio Carnival has been long known as a nursery for novelties of rhythm and styles. It always has pleasant surprises featuring concerts ranging from traditional Brazilian music to the latest trends.
There is a popular eating area with small drink and barbecue stands. Lots of booze and cheap "junk" food. The essence of Brazilian life.
Venue: Arcos da Lapa - Lapa
STREET PARTIES
From Carnival Saturday to Tuesday, open-air dances take place throughout the city. The emphasis is on joy and spontaneity. The biggest and most organized one is on Cinelândia Square.
Apart from organized street dances, people also simply gather outside little corner bars, booze away and have fun in the street. The place which attracts the biggest crowd is outside the Sambodromo, on Samba Parade days.
Popular street dance at Cinelândia
Friday-Tuesday 17:00-03:00 am
The open-air party lasts for five days to the sounds of acclaimed orchestras and singers, symbols of carnival music, reviving the atmosphere of the grand carnival balls of the past.
There is a stage on the square with idols and the most well-known singers of the times of the wireless (from the 40-60s). Good, old Brazilian-Rio music, mainly samba. The crowd (mainly older and working-class people) joins in and dances away to the tunes.
Venue: Praça Floriano, Cinelândia, Centro (Downtown)
OUTSIDE THE SAMBODROMO
On Samba Parade nights, it does not only get packed inside the Sambodromo. Before, during and after the Parade, thousands of people gather on the streets that did not get in. They are also joined by those who paraded in costume and just want to party more, making the crowd even more colorful with their fancy-dresses. It turns the whole downtown area into a huge and lively open-air bar.
PARADE REHEARSALS IN THE COMMUNITY
These are real parade rehearsals with the wings and the drummers more or less in place, usually taking place in and marching through the streets.
However they happen in the schools´communities which are usually a really long way and in some very impoverished areas. You can go to watch this type of rehearsal of any school but you can only participate in the one of your own School with which you will parade.
SAMBODROMO REHEARSALS
There are grand, main rehearsals that already take place on the samba run-way in the Sambodromo itself. It is almost like the Samba Parade only without costumes and floats (their places are usually taken by busses) and with less people. They already start in December and there will be a few almost every weekend.
The last rehearsal in
the Sambodromo takes place last Sunday
Sunday, February 15th 19:00-23:00
Testing of lights and sound with the Samba
School Beija-Flor, the 2009 Champion
You can go and watch it. It's free. You can try most Grand Stand sectors although it will be very busy. It is a good opportunity to warm you up for the great party that will develop during the Samba Parade and see it all in preparations.
After the rehearsal, there will be a big free street party with very good live samba music and people dancing on the samba run-way. Some already wear costumes and colorful dresses. It is an experience.
Outside the Sambodromo there is an eating area (of Brazilian style, do not expect any sophistication) which includes little drink and barbecue stands. Lots of booze and cheap food. The essence of Brazilian life.
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