Page 91 iGap Travel Guide 2022
P. 91
iGap Travel Guide | The Americas
91
The Street Parties
The Street Parties
The Carnival Balls
There are three types of street parties in Rio – daytime
decadence, evening orchestras and all-night dancing.
Processions of street bands play to crowds of revellers
each afternoon along Avenida Rio Branco. Cinelândia
Square hosts evening concerts that cater to older crowds
and percussion lovers, and legendary Samba Land takes
the reigns as Brazil’s ultimate open-air nightclub, keeping
Rio’s Praça Onze district dancing until 6am. Samba Land
is littered with almost as many BBQ stands and pop-up
bars as festival revellers. Everyone in town joins in on the
action, and street-side samba can be seen in just about
every corner of city.
The golden rule is simple – it’s never too early to start planning for Rio Carnival. Samba schools start preparations
up to a year in advance, and those planning on visiting the carnival are strongly advised to organise their flights,
hotels, and event tickets several months before kick-off. Flights and accommodation are best arranged four to
six months in advance, and Samba tickets- compulsory viewing for serious carnival-goers, should be purchased
even sooner to secure the best seats. However, those who do miss out should take comfort in the fact that the
festival’s street parties are significantly cheaper than the Samba Parade, always accessible last minute, and no less
spectacular. Rio’s upcoming carnival programme can be viewed on the carnival’s official website, and tickets can be
purchased online. Buy from official retailers, and you’ll only ever pay face value.
For more information on the Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and its wealth of parades and events,
visit www.riocarnaval.org.
The hypnotic Rio balls are the epitome of carnival
craziness.
Cariocas
come from far and wide in colours
and patterns that’d put a peacock to shame, to dance the
night away in Rio’s most decadent nightclubs. Similarly
to the Sambadrome, themes take centre stage here, and
popular annual balls include the Red and Black Ball, the
Ball of the Beer and the Gay Costume Ball. Prices typically
cost between R$250 up to R$750 for bigger packages,
unless you’re looking to shake hands with celebrities
at the Copacabana’s iconic Magic Ball.
Marchinas
(traditional Brazilian beats) will bounce you around
until the next morning, and only the very best local and
international DJs occupy the decks.
@Belmond
Cintia Erdens Paiva / Shutterstock.com
91
The Street Parties
The Street Parties
The Carnival Balls
There are three types of street parties in Rio – daytime
decadence, evening orchestras and all-night dancing.
Processions of street bands play to crowds of revellers
each afternoon along Avenida Rio Branco. Cinelândia
Square hosts evening concerts that cater to older crowds
and percussion lovers, and legendary Samba Land takes
the reigns as Brazil’s ultimate open-air nightclub, keeping
Rio’s Praça Onze district dancing until 6am. Samba Land
is littered with almost as many BBQ stands and pop-up
bars as festival revellers. Everyone in town joins in on the
action, and street-side samba can be seen in just about
every corner of city.
The golden rule is simple – it’s never too early to start planning for Rio Carnival. Samba schools start preparations
up to a year in advance, and those planning on visiting the carnival are strongly advised to organise their flights,
hotels, and event tickets several months before kick-off. Flights and accommodation are best arranged four to
six months in advance, and Samba tickets- compulsory viewing for serious carnival-goers, should be purchased
even sooner to secure the best seats. However, those who do miss out should take comfort in the fact that the
festival’s street parties are significantly cheaper than the Samba Parade, always accessible last minute, and no less
spectacular. Rio’s upcoming carnival programme can be viewed on the carnival’s official website, and tickets can be
purchased online. Buy from official retailers, and you’ll only ever pay face value.
For more information on the Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and its wealth of parades and events,
visit www.riocarnaval.org.
The hypnotic Rio balls are the epitome of carnival
craziness.
Cariocas
come from far and wide in colours
and patterns that’d put a peacock to shame, to dance the
night away in Rio’s most decadent nightclubs. Similarly
to the Sambadrome, themes take centre stage here, and
popular annual balls include the Red and Black Ball, the
Ball of the Beer and the Gay Costume Ball. Prices typically
cost between R$250 up to R$750 for bigger packages,
unless you’re looking to shake hands with celebrities
at the Copacabana’s iconic Magic Ball.
Marchinas
(traditional Brazilian beats) will bounce you around
until the next morning, and only the very best local and
international DJs occupy the decks.
@Belmond
Cintia Erdens Paiva / Shutterstock.com
