Rio De Janeiro Nightlife Guide For Saturday, February 14, 2026

2026-02-14 06:13:55

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) The Rio Times · Rio Nightlife Desk Sábado de Carnaval · The Bola Preta rolls and the city surrenders 01 Tonight's Vibe Menu The city woke up at dawn and hasn't sat down since. At 07:00 this morning, the Cordão da Bola Preta - Rio's oldest and most iconic bloco, founded in 1918 - assembled at the Terminal Menezes Cortes and flooded the Rua Primeiro de Março in a sea of black and white polka dots. By noon, fifty-seven blocos had rolled across every corner of the city - Céu na Terra descending the ladeiras of Santa Teresa, Bangalafumenga sweeping through the Glória, the Banda de Ipanema launching at 15:00 from Rua Gomes Carneiro. Rio reached CALOR 3 on the municipal heat protocol yesterday, and today the asphalt shimmers. The Baile da Cinelândia opened its outdoor dance floor at 16:30 with Dorina, Alfredo Del Penho, and the Orquestra Tupy turning the praça into the world's largest open-air ballroom. On Copacabana, Jorge Aragão took the Palco Sesc RJ at the Fan Fest alongside Gilsons and Os Garotin, while the Cacique de Ramos held court with a roda de samba on the sand. Now, as night falls, the Sambódromo lights up for Série Ouro Night 2 - eight schools crossing the Passarela do Samba from 21:00, including the storied Império Serrano, Estácio de Sá, and Porto da Pedra. Next door, the Terreirão do Samba opens for Night 2 with Juninho Thybau, the Roda de Samba do Beco do Rato, Davi Quaresma, Gamadinho, and Pedro Menezes carrying the music until 05:00. Out in the subúrbio, the Intendente Magalhães - the Passarela Popular do Samba - begins its Carnaval programme at 20:00 with the Federação dos Blocos Grupo 1. The metrô has been running for 38 consecutive hours. This is Sábado de Carnaval. There is no Plan A. There is only everything, everywhere, all at once. 02 Top Picks - Fast Scan 1 Série Ouro Night 2 - Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí Sambódromo - Centro / Santo Cristo 21:00 $$ 2 Terreirão do Samba - Juninho Thybau, Beco do Rato, Gamadinho & Pedro Menezes Terreirão do Samba Nelson Sargento - Praça Onze 20:00 $ 3 Fan Fest Rio Capital do Carnaval - Jorge Aragão, Gilsons & Os Garotin Praia de Copacabana - Posto 3 14:00 FREE 4 Baile da Cinelândia - Dorina, Alfredo Del Penho & Orquestra Tupy Praça da Cinelândia - Centro 16:30 FREE 5 Banda de Ipanema - Rua Gomes Carneiro Ipanema - Zona Sul 15:00 FREE FREE No cover $ Under R$50 $$ R$50–150 $$$ R$150+ 03 The Full Rundown 1 Série Ouro Night 2 - Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí SAMBÓDROMO TIME 21:00–dawn PRICE $$ · Arquibancadas from R$35 via Ticketmaster VIBESamba-enredo / escola de samba / Carnaval desfiles DRESSComfortable - fantasias welcome

Why we picked it: Night 2 of the Série Ouro - and this is where the division's heavyweights march. Eight schools cross the Passarela do Samba tonight, and the ordem de desfile reads like a history of Rio's samba culture: Botafogo Samba Clube opens at 21:00, followed by Em Cima da Hora at 21:45, Arranco at 22:30, and then, at 23:15, the Império Serrano - the legendary escola from Madureira that has won nine titles in the Grupo Especial and whose fall to the access division is one of the great tragedies of modern Carnaval. Estácio de Sá, the escola that gave samba-enredo to the world, crosses at midnight. União de Maricá follows at 00:45, Porto da Pedra - the powerhouse from São Gonçalo - at 01:30, and Unidos da Ponte closes the Série Ouro 2026 at 02:15. Each escola has 70 to 80 minutes on the avenida. Tonight is the night with the deepest stories, the longest memories, and the most ferocious hunger for a return to the Grupo Especial. The Sambódromo on Série Ouro Night 2 is not a spectacle - it's a war.

Practicalities: Gates open well before 21:00. Arquibancada tickets from R$35 via Ticketmaster - check availability, as many sectors sell out. The Série Ouro is broadcast live by Band, Bandplay, and the Band Folia YouTube channel. Children aged 5+ need tickets. No glass. Praça Onze metrô (L1-Laranja) is the closest station - and the metrô runs 24 hours continuously until midnight on Quarta-feira de Cinzas. From today (Saturday), Line 2 extends to General Osório/Ipanema, with transfers available between lines at Central do Brasil through General Osório.

R. Marquês de Sapucaí, Santo Cristo · Ticketmaster → 2 Terreirão do Samba - Juninho Thybau, Beco do Rato, Gamadinho & Pedro Menezes TERREIRÃO DO SAMBA TIME 20:00–05:00 PRICE $ · R$15 (meia) / R$30 (inteira) via Bilheteria Digital VIBESamba / pagode / roda de samba DRESSCarnaval casual - fantasias, abadás, come as you are

Why we picked it: Night 2 at the Terreirão do Samba Nelson Sargento brings an entirely new cast to the Palco João da Baiana. DJ FM O Dia opens from 20:00, followed by Juninho Thybau from 20:30 to 21:45 - the rising voice of samba with a sound rooted in the tradition of Noel Rosa and Cartola. From 22:00, the Roda de Samba do Beco do Rato takes the stage until 23:20 - bringing the spirit of the legendary Lapa roda to the Carnaval stage. Davi Quaresma follows from 23:50, Gamadinho - one of the new generation's most charismatic pagodeiros - from 01:20, and Pedro Menezes closes the night from 03:00 to 04:30. At R$30 inteira, the Terreirão remains the most democratic ticket in Carnaval. The proximity to the Sambódromo means you can feel the baterias through the ground while the roda plays. The Terreirão runs five consecutive nights through to Terça-feira de Carnaval - tomorrow brings Ferrugem on Sunday, Belo on Monday, and Arlindinho on Tuesday.

Practicalities: Gates at 20:00. Tickets via bilheteriadigital or at the door. 18+ (minors 16+ with legal guardian only). The space expects around 50,000 visitors across the Carnaval period. Food and drink vendors on site. Praça Onze metrô (L1-Laranja) is directly adjacent - 24-hour operation. Walk between the Terreirão and the Sambódromo in minutes.

R. Benedito Hipólito, 66, Praça Onze, Centro · Bilheteria Digital → 3 Fan Fest Rio Capital do Carnaval - Jorge Aragão, Gilsons & Os Garotin COPACABANA TIME 14:00–22:00 PRICE FREE · via Rio Carnaval app (facial registration required) VIBESamba / MPB / roda de samba / beachfront arena DRESSBeach-Carnaval casual

Why we picked it: The LIESA's Fan Fest arena on Copacabana is the free alternative to the Sambódromo - and tonight it delivers one of its strongest lineups. The headliner is Jorge Aragão, one of the founding architects of pagode, performing a special show on the Palco Sesc RJ alongside Gilsons - the band led by the sons of Gilberto Gil - and Os Garotin, the rising trio from Belford Roxo who are redefining carioca funk-samba. Earlier in the day, DJ Cris Panttoja warms the arena, a mini bateria SUPERBET performs, and the Cacique de Ramos - the legendary bloco from Olaria that gave birth to modern pagode - holds a roda de samba on the sand. The 5,000 m2 arena at the height of Posto 3 features a main stage, large LED screens transmitting the Série Ouro desfiles from the Sambódromo, food and beverage vendors, and official merchandise. Capacity is around 15,000 per day.

Practicalities: Free entry, but registration is required via the Rio Carnaval app with facial recognition. One ticket per CPF. Gates open at 14:00. Siqueira Campos metrô (L1-Laranja) or Cardeal Arcoverde are the closest stations - both running 24 hours. The Fan Fest continues daily through 18 February, with Casuarina tomorrow (Sunday) and a live transmission of the Grupo Especial from 22:00. Alcione closes the series on Quarta-feira de Cinzas with the Samba da Volta.

Praia de Copacabana, R. República do Peru (Posto 3) · @riocapitaldocarnaval → 4 Baile da Cinelândia - Dorina, Alfredo Del Penho & Orquestra Tupy CINELÂNDIA TIME 16:30–late PRICE FREE VIBEBaile de Carnaval / marchinhas / orquestra / samba-canção DRESSFantasias encouraged - classic Carnaval glamour

Why we picked it: The Bailes da Cinelândia transform the praça in front of the Theatro Municipal into the world's most beautiful open-air ballroom - and tonight is the opening night. Dorina headlines with her voice that moves between samba-canção, MPB, and the classic marchinhas. She's joined by Alfredo Del Penho, Osmar do Breque, Ellen de Lima, Paulo Nunes, Tom da Bahia, Márcio Gomes, Selma Costa, Luis Cesar, Reginaldo Bessa, Gotsha, Alberto Gino, and Wladimir Cabanas - a tenor from the Theatro Municipal itself, bringing opera to the Carnaval. The Orquestra Tupy closes each night with its signature repertoire of marchinhas and clássicos, turning the praça into a dance floor where grandmothers waltz next to teenagers in sequins. The Bailes run through to Terça-feira (17 Feb), with the Concurso de Foliões starting Sunday - the traditional fancy-dress competition that rewards creativity, humour, and irreverence.

Practicalities: Free, no ticket needed. Starts at 16:30. Cinelândia metrô (L1-Laranja / L2-Verde) is directly below the praça - note that Cinelândia station operates 06:00–20:00 only during Carnaval. Alternatively, walk from Carioca metrô (10 minutes). The Baile is an all-ages, all-welcome affair. Arrive early for a good spot - the praça fills quickly.

Praça Floriano (Cinelândia), Centro · Free entry 5 Banda de Ipanema - Rua Gomes Carneiro IPANEMA TIME 15:00 (cortejo) PRICE FREE VIBETraditional bloco / marchinhas / samba / Carnaval de rua DRESSFantasia - the more elaborate, the better

Why we picked it: Founded in 1965, the Banda de Ipanema is Rio's most iconic bloco and was declared patrimônio cultural imaterial carioca in 2004 - the first intangible cultural heritage designation in the city's history. The bloco uses no carro de som - only its own ritmistas, musicians, and brass section, a tradition that sets it apart from every other bloco in Rio. The Banda de Ipanema has deep historical ties to the LGBTQ+ community and is a symbol of freedom, diversity, and irreverence. Today it concentrates at 15:00 on Rua Gomes Carneiro, 55 - the heart of Ipanema - and rolls through the neighbourhood. The costumes are legendary: over-the-top, politically sharp, and wildly creative. A second desfile follows on Terça-feira (17 February). If you can only go to one bloco in your life, make it this one.

Practicalities: Free. No ticket needed. Concentração at 15:00 on R. Gomes Carneiro, 55, Ipanema. General Osório metrô (L4-Amarela / from today also L2-Verde terminus) is a 5-minute walk. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring only what you can carry - phone in front pocket, minimal cash. The neighbourhood bars fill quickly, but the beach is right there for water and relief from the crowd.

R. Gomes Carneiro, 55, Ipanema · Free entry 04 Suggested Route 14:00 Fan Fest Copacabana - Jorge Aragão, Gilsons & Cacique de Ramos Hit the sand at Posto 3. The arena opens at 14:00 with DJ Cris Panttoja warming the space. The Cacique de Ramos roda de samba fills the afternoon, and the main-stage show with Jorge Aragão, Gilsons, and Os Garotin is the emotional peak. Hydrate - it's been 30°C+ all week. From here, metrô to General Osório (5 mins on foot) for the Banda de Ipanema. 15:30 Banda de Ipanema - Rua Gomes Carneiro Walk or metrô one stop from Copacabana to General Osório. The Banda de Ipanema concentrates at 15:00 - join the cortejo as it moves through the streets. No carro de som, just brass and percussion and thousands of costumed foliões. Stay for an hour, then peel off and head north. 17:00 Baile da Cinelândia - Dorina & Orquestra Tupy Metrô from General Osório to Carioca (L1-Laranja, 15 mins). Walk to Cinelândia. The Baile is in full swing by 17:00 - Dorina singing, the Orquestra Tupy building the atmosphere, fantasias everywhere. Grab a chopp from the street vendors and dance beneath the Theatro Municipal. This is the old Rio, alive and magnificent. 21:00 Terreirão do Samba & Sambódromo - Praça Onze Walk from Cinelândia to Carioca metrô, one stop to Praça Onze (L1-Laranja - 24h). The Beco do Rato roda takes the Terreirão stage at 22:00. Between sets, step outside - you can hear the Série Ouro baterias from the Sambódromo. At 23:15, the Império Serrano crosses the line. At 01:20, Gamadinho takes the Terreirão stage. Move between the two until Pedro Menezes closes the Terreirão at 04:30 - or stay at the Sapucaí until Unidos da Ponte finishes at dawn. 05 Still Going After 22h

Sambódromo - Série Ouro Night 2 from 21:00. Eight schools, each with 70–80 minutes. Império Serrano at 23:15, Estácio de Sá at midnight, Porto da Pedra at 01:30. Runs until dawn. Live on Band and Bandplay.

Terreirão do Samba - Roda de Samba do Beco do Rato from 22:00, Davi Quaresma from 23:50, Gamadinho from 01:20, Pedro Menezes from 03:00. Music until 05:00. Praça Onze. R$30 inteira.

Lapa bar strip - Rua Joaquim Silva, Rua do Lavradio, and the Arcos. Sábado de Carnaval in the Lapa means every bar at full capacity. Carioca da Gema for live samba, Rio Scenarium for the dance floor, Beco do Rato for the roda de samba faithful. The Bloco do Beco do Rato paraded from 10:00 today - the bars that follow carry the energy deep into the night.

Pedra do Sal - The birthplace of samba in the Saúde port district. During Carnaval the Pedra comes alive every night with spontaneous rodas and the energy of a neighbourhood that is samba's ground zero.

06 Plan B

Grupo Especial Night 1 (tomorrow) - The main event. Domingo de Carnaval at the Sambódromo from 22:00 with four schools: Acadêmicos de Niterói, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Portela, and Mangueira. The Grupo Especial is broadcast live on TV Globo and Globoplay. $$–$$$.

Cordão do Boitatá (tomorrow) - One of Rio's most beloved blocos transforms the Praça XV, Centro, into an open-air ballroom from 07:00. Orquestra, marchinhas, and the best Carnaval traditions. Free.

Simpatia É Quase Amor (tomorrow) - Celebrating 40 years with a tribute to indigenous peoples. 14:00 on Rua Teixeira de Melo, 37, Ipanema. Free.

Intendente Magalhães (tonight) - The Passarela Popular do Samba in Madureira opens its Carnaval 2026 at 20:00 with Grupo 1 da Federação dos Blocos. Birita Mas Não Cai, Império do Gramacho, and Vai Barrar? Nunca! Free.

Cordão do Prata Preta (today, 16:00) - Praça da Harmonia, Gamboa. Traditional bloco in the port district, close to the Pedra do Sal. Free.

Bangalafumenga (today, 09:00) - One of the city's most popular blocos, parading from the Monumento dos Pracinhas, Glória, through the Aterro do Flamengo. Free.

07 Getting Around

Metrô - 24-HOUR OPERATION continues (started 05:00 Friday, runs until midnight Quarta-feira de Cinzas, 18 Feb). Key change today: Line 2 now extends from Pavuna to General Osório/Ipanema (previously only to Botafogo on Friday). Transfer between Lines 1 and 2 available from Central do Brasil/Centro through General Osório. Key stations tonight: Praça Onze (L1-Laranja) for Sambódromo and Terreirão; Carioca (L1/L2) for Cinelândia and Lapa; General Osório (L1/L4, now also L2) for Ipanema; Siqueira Campos (L1) for Copacabana Fan Fest. Cinelândia station operates 06:00–20:00 only. Requires pre-loaded Giro cards or contactless payment.

Bonde de Santa Teresa - NOT operating today (14 Feb). Also suspended 13, 16, and 17 Feb. Restricted service Sunday 15 Feb only.

VLT Carioca - Operating normally today (Saturday) and Friday. Special scheme begins Sunday through Tuesday with Lines 2 and 4 suspended in the Centro area due to bloco routes near Praça Tiradentes. Line 3 extended to Terminal Gentileza; alight at Sete de Setembro for Praça Tiradentes blocos.

SuperVia (trains) - Central do Brasil open 24 hours. Extra departures from Central: Santa Cruz ramal (22:30, 0:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00), Japeri (22:50, 0:20, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30), Saracuruna (22:30, 0:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00), Belford Roxo (0:20, 2:20, 4:20). Other stations open for disembarkation only overnight.

Barcas - Linha Arariboia special operation today: intervals reduced to 15 minutes during peak hours (07:00–10:00 and 12:00–15:00). Linhas Charitas and Cocotá not running. Paquetá and Divisão Sul on regular weekend schedule.

Road closures - Major closures for the Cordão da Bola Preta (today 05:00–13:00): R. Primeiro de Março (full), Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos (all lanes, R. da Assembleia to Av. Beira Mar), connecting streets. Sambódromo closures continue: Av. Presidente Vargas (central lanes), R. Afonso Cavalcanti, R. Benedito Hipólito. Avoid driving in Centro - use public transport.

Ride-hailing - 99 and Uber active but expect significant surge pricing, especially around Sambódromo and Copacabana after midnight. Set pick-up points on main avenues outside closure zones.

Safety note - Carnaval crowds mean pickpocket risk. Leave valuables at your hotel. Carry only cash and one card in a front pocket or money belt. Phone theft remains the number one crime during Carnaval - use a neck strap or leave it secured. The city hit CALOR 3 on the heat protocol yesterday - stay hydrated. The COR-Rio has traffic agents deployed across all bloco routes with police support.

08 Neighbourhood Picks Centro / Praça Onze Sambódromo, Terreirão & Bola Preta The nucleus of Carnaval 2026. The Cordão da Bola Preta flooded the Centro this morning, the Baile da Cinelândia is in full swing at the Praça Floriano, and tonight the Sambódromo and Terreirão do Samba sit side by side for Night 2 of the Série Ouro. Praça Onze metrô (L1-Laranja) is the gateway - running 24 hours. The Bloco Exagerado (Cazuza tribute) and Multibloco also paraded here today. Copacabana Fan Fest & beach blocos The Fan Fest arena at Posto 3 brings Jorge Aragão and the Cacique de Ramos to the sand. This afternoon the Blocobuster paraded from the Leme, the Banda do Choppinho rolled through Paula Freitas, and the Bloco Brasil hit at noon. Siqueira Campos metrô (L1) is closest to the Fan Fest. The arena runs daily through Quarta-feira de Cinzas. Ipanema Banda de Ipanema Rio's most celebrated bloco takes the streets at 15:00 from R. Gomes Carneiro, 55. No carro de som - just brass, percussion, and the most creative fantasias in the city. A second desfile follows on Terça-feira (17 Feb). Tomorrow, the neighbourhood hosts the Simpatia É Quase Amor (14:00, R. Teixeira de Melo), celebrating 40 years. General Osório metrô (L4-Amarela, now also L2-Verde). Santa Teresa Céu na Terra & blocos The Céu na Terra descended the ladeiras at 07:00 this morning - one of Santa Teresa's most beloved blocos, with its signature estandartes and cortejo. The G.R.B.C. Aconteceu parades at 16:00 from Largo das Neves. The Bonde is not operating today - taxi or ride-hail from Glória or Largo do Machado. The bairro's bars (Bar do Mineiro, Aprazível, Espírito Santa) fill with post-bloco foliões all afternoon and evening. The Rio Times riotimesonline · Nightlife Guide · Published daily Compiled by the Rio Nightlife Desk - all events verified against official sources. Prices, times, and door policies may change - always confirm before heading out. Tomorrow: Grupo Especial Night 1 - Imperatriz, Portela & Mangueira.

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