Rio Carnival 2027: Dates, weather, Sambadrome tickets & how to plan ahead
If you're already thinking about Rio Carnival 2027, you're ahead of most travelers. Planning for Carnival starts earlier than most people expect: flights fill up, hotels in the best neighborhoods sell out months in advance, and Sambadrome tickets are released in phases throughout the year.
Whether you're already committed to going or still figuring out if Carnival is right for your trip, this guide covers everything you need: dates, what the experience is actually like, and how tickets work if the Sambadrome is on your list.
Not sure yet if Carnival is the right time for your trip? Before diving into dates and tickets, here's an honest breakdown of what Rio Carnival is really like, with costs, crowds, safety and whether it matches the kind of traveler you are.
When is Brazil Carnival 2027?
Carnival 2027 officially takes place from Friday, February 5 through Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.
Carnival in Brazil is held 40 days before Easter, which means the dates change every year.
Rio in February: Weather and what to expect
February in Rio de Janeiro is peak summer. Expect:
Temperatures between 35°C and 40°C (95°F to 104°F)
High humidity
Strong sun throughout the day
Short but intense afternoon rain showers
Want to understand how Rio's weather actually works and how to plan around it? Here's what Rio de Janeiro weather is really like.
Because February is also peak travel season in Brazil, flights and hotels increase significantly in price as Carnival approaches. This is one of the main reasons early planning matters, especially for travelers who want to experience the Sambadrome parade.
If you're planning a trip around Carnival, this complete guide helps you organize everything step by step → Plan your trip to Rio de Janeiro
Why planning Carnival 2027 early matters
Carnival in Rio can be spontaneous, especially if your plan is to follow the street blocos — the free, open-air street parties that take over Rio's neighborhoods during Carnival week — and go with the flow.
But if your goal is to attend the Sambadrome parades, choose specific seating sectors, and secure good accommodation rates in neighborhoods like Copacabana, Ipanema or Centro, planning ahead makes a significant difference.
Hotels in these areas often sell out months in advance. And the most requested Sambadrome sectors tend to sell first. If watching the Special Group parades is part of your trip, buying early gives you:
More sector options
Better pricing
Time to organize transport and logistics
With the official dates confirmed, ticket sales are already beginning.
Rio Carnival 2027 Tickets: How and when do they go on sale?
The 2027 Special Group parades at the Sambadrome will take place on:
Sunday, February 7, 2027
Monday, February 8, 2027
Tuesday, February 9, 2027
The Champions’ Parade, featuring the top-ranked samba schools of the year, will be held on:
Saturday, February 13, 2027
When Do Rio Carnival Tickets Go on Sale?
Tickets for the Rio Carnival Sambadrome parades are released in phases throughout the year, organized by sector and ticket type.
The first release was the Rio Carnival Passaporte, a package granting access to all three Special Group parade nights in the grandstands — it sold out shortly after going on sale on March 9. The next opportunity is already confirmed:
Ticket updates – April 2026
Up to this date, the two ticket types that have been released — the Rio Passaporte Carnaval and the Ingresso Sambista — have both sold out. Next ticket release phases typically include:
Grandstands (Arquibancadas) – usually released around May
Allocated seats (Cadeiras Numeradas) – often released between June and July
Luxury boxes (Camarotes) – many already open early pre-sales
This guide will be updated as new ticket releases, pricing and official sales dates are confirmed.
Before choosing your tickets, it's worth understanding how the Sambadrome seating sectors work. Check our complete Sambadrome guide to see the layout, seating types, and what to expect from each sector.
VIP Camarotes: Early Access and Pre-Sales
Several Sambadrome luxury boxes (camarotes) have already openedearly pre-sales for Rio Carnival 2027.
Booking during this stage can often secure lower prices before official demand peaks.
Camarotes typically include:
• open bar and food
• better views of the parade
• live music and DJs
• transportation to the sambadrome
Because availability is limited, these options tend to sell out months before Carnival.
For detailed information and prices, check Ticketmaster Brasil.
Carnival beyond the Sambadrome
The Sambadrome parades are only one side of Rio Carnival. Most of the city's energy actually happens in the streets.
Throughout the neighborhoods, hundreds of free street parties known as blocos take over Rio during Carnival week. Some are small and local, a brass band moving through narrow streets, neighbors dancing on the sidewalk. Others are massive, with sound trucks, famous singers, and hundreds of thousands of people following the music through the city.
You don't need tickets, a costume, or a plan. You just show up.
If your trip is built around this side of Carnival, or if you're still figuring out what kind of experience you want, these guides will help:
👉 Read our complete guide to Rio Carnival
👉 Rio Carnival Blocos: the ultimate guide to the street parties
👉 Discover Rio Carnival private parties, hotel feijoadas and VIP experiences
Visiting Rio during Carnival
Carnival transforms the city in ways that go beyond the parties. If you're planning to visit Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, or other major attractions, it's worth knowing what to expect.
During Carnival week, the city gets significantly more crowded. Many streets close for blocos, which can make getting around slower and less predictable than usual. Popular attractions fill up quickly, and transportation — whether by metro, ride-hailing apps, or taxi — can take much longer than normal.
This doesn't mean you can't enjoy the city. It just means planning your days with a bit more flexibility and intention.
If exploring Rio beyond Carnival is part of your trip, arriving a few days early or staying a few days after is one of the best decisions you can make. The city is calmer, attractions are easier to visit, and you'll get a very different, and equally worthwhile, side of Rio.
Discover the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro and plan your days around the celebrations.
Where to stay during Carnival
Where you stay will shape your entire Carnival experience. The right neighborhood depends on whether your priority is the Sambadrome, the street blocos, or a mix of both, and how much you want to walk versus rely on transport.
See our complete guide on where to stay in Rio during Carnival, including a breakdown of each neighborhood and what to expect from each one.
FAQ - Rio Carnival 2027
When do Rio Carnival 2027 tickets go on sale?
Tickets are released in phases throughout 2026. The first release — the Rio Passaporte Carnaval — sold out in March 2026. The next release is the Ingresso Sambista, going on sale April 6, 2026 via Ticketmaster Brasil. Additional phases including grandstands, allocated seats, and camarotes will follow through mid-2026. This post is updated as each new phase is announced.
What are the dates for Rio Carnival 2027?
Rio Carnival 2027 runs from Friday, February 5 through Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027. The Special Group Sambadrome parades take place on February 7, 8, and 9. The Champions' Parade is on February 13, 2027.
How much do Sambadrome tickets cost for Carnival 2027?
The grandstand tickets start at R$ 250. Other categories — allocated seats, frisas, VIP boxes and camarotes — vary significantly in price and will be released in later phases. Camarotes tend to be the most expensive and sell out earliest.
Do I need to buy Sambadrome tickets in advance?
Yes — especially for the Special Group parades. The most popular sectors sell out months before Carnival. If attending the Sambadrome is a priority, buying as soon as tickets become available in your preferred category is strongly recommended.
How can I buy Sambadrome tickets from abroad?
Tickets for the Rio Carnival Sambadrome parades are sold exclusively through Ticketmaster Brasil at ticketmaster.com.br. The platform accepts international credit cards, so you can purchase directly from abroad without needing a Brazilian CPF or local payment method. Select your sector, choose your parade night once the school order is confirmed, and complete the purchase in Brazilian Reais — your bank will handle the currency conversion. It's worth checking your card's international transaction fees before buying. Digital tickets are delivered by email and can be presented on your phone at the Sambadrome entrance.
