Street carnival ignites Downtown Rio a week before Carnival

Street carnival, known as blocos, has officially ignited in Downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with celebrations kicking off in early February 2026, a week before the main Carnival festivities, setting the stage for a massive, multi-week, city-wide party. 

The street Carnival officially began with over 400 street parties scheduled across various neighborhoods, including the city center and the South Zone. Rua Primeiro de Março, located in downtown Rio, was expected to transform into a large open-air party, featuring the Bloco da Favorita.  Riotur reports 462 parades are scheduled throughout the period, with an expected 6 million revelers joining in the weeks leading up to the official celebration.