Brazil Carnival Dates : Brazil  

Brazil Carnival Dates - Travel guide

Brazil

Carnival Dates

Carnival, which takes place throughout Brazil, is a moveable feast that is tied to the religious calendar. A traditional pre-Lent celebration, it ends on Ash Wednesday.

The main parade of the top samba schools, one of the highlights of Rio's carnival, traditionally takes place along the Passarela do Samba in Rio de Janeiro on the Sunday and Monday evenings of Carnival, with the victorious schools parading again the following Saturday night during the Winner's Parade.

Organised by the League of Samba Schools and the Rio Tourist Board (RIOTUR), tickets for the parades, which start at around £130, can be reserved through most good tour operators who obtain the tickets with accredited ground operators in Rio de Janeiro.

Tickets only go on sale towards the end of the year and must be reserved in advance. At the time of carnival, tickets are as hard to come by in Rio as a Wimbledon final or FA Cup Final tickets would be in London.