Carnival in Brazil 2027: dates and where to go

At a glance

Carnival in Brazil 2027 dates

The national carnival days in 2027 are Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February, and Ash Wednesday is 10 February (Pernambuco court calendar, Ato 1502/2026). Most cities start the party days or weeks earlier, so the right arrival date depends on the city.

In Rio, Riotur plans the street carnival (blocos) from 16 January 2027. The Série Ouro schools parade at the Sambadrome on 5 and 6 February, the Special Group on Sunday 7, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February, and the six best schools come back for the Champions Parade on 13 February (LIESA). The full Rio guide is on our Rio Carnival page.

In São Paulo, Liga SP lists the Special Group parades on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February 2027 and Access Group 1 on Sunday 7 February.

Where to spend Carnival in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Samba school parades on the Marquês de Sapucaí plus hundreds of blocos across the city. Good if you want the Sambadrome and the beach in one trip. We can also arrange Sambadrome tickets and a parade in costume.

São Paulo

A sambadrome competition that runs on the Friday and Saturday, before Rio’s Special Group nights. It fits well as the first stop of a two-city trip. See our São Paulo trip page.

Salvador

Street carnival that follows trios elétricos along set routes. The city’s official carnival site names three circuits: Dodô (Barra to Ondina), Osmar (Campo Grande and Avenida) and Batatinha (Historic Centre). The 2027 dates were not on the official site when we checked, so we confirm them in your proposal. More in Salvador da Bahia.

Recife and Olinda

The carnival of frevo, which UNESCO added to its intangible heritage list in 2012, and of maracatu nação, which IPHAN lists among Pernambuco’s intangible heritage. The parades climb the hills of Olinda’s old town. See Recife and Olinda.

Combining two carnivals

Because São Paulo parades on 5 and 6 February and Rio’s Special Group on 7 to 9 February, you can see both sambadromes on consecutive nights. Another option is Salvador or Olinda for the street carnival, then Rio for the Champions Parade on 13 February. We plan flights, airport transfers around road closures, hotels and guides as one trip, and you talk only to us throughout.

How we plan your carnival trip

We pick the hotel or apartment, Sambadrome seats or a box, transfers that take the official traffic plans into account, a guide who speaks your language on parade night or for the blocos, and extra days if you want them. Availability of specific seats is confirmed in the proposal. Tickets are bought only through official channels. Terms and payment are set out in the proposal; you pay nothing before you confirm. Check entry requirements on official websites. For a full package around Rio, see our Rio Carnival trip 2027.

What to tell us in your request

• Which city or cities, and which nights you want
• Travel dates and number of travelers (ages of any children)
• Sambadrome seat type, or street carnival only
• Hotel or apartment, and preferred area
• Guide language
• Extra days or day trips after carnival

Cancellation for carnival: the deposit is not refundable after confirmation. One date change is possible with 48 hours’ notice if the provider has another date. If the provider fails, we arrange a replacement or refund the full deposit; for weather or force majeure, a new date or a full deposit refund.