The Samba Parades

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RIO CARNIVAL

The Carnival Samba Parades in Rio are truly unique events. They are something everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. While the Samba Parades are broadcast via live TV to many countries around the world, watching on TV is not half the fun as being there, mingling with the happy crowds and watching the Brazilians and the Cariocas (natives of Rio), dancing non-stop to the sensual beat of the Samba in the beautiful revealing costumes.

SECRETS OF THE SAMBA SCHOOLS

Samba Schools in Rio prepare for the yearly Carnival for up to one year in advance! Each Samba School represents a particular neighborhood or social club from different areas of Rio. During the parades, thousands of Samba School dancers twist and grind through the avenues in fierce competition for the honor of being awarded first, second and third places.

The Rio Samba Parades are the review and competition of the top 12 Samba Schools (all 12 Samba Schools are part of the “Special Group”) of which six march on Carnival Sunday and Monday.  The two nights are similar in terms of set-up (six Schools march on each day)!  The only difference being the Schools parading.  Each year one Samba School is downgraded from the “Special Group” to the “Access Group” (also called “Group A”), which comprises the ten less successful schools which parade on Carnival Saturday and visa versa.

The fact is, a Carnival Samba Parade is not a street Carnival where people move chaotically about as they like, but more of a highly orchestrated show of vast proportions.  Each parade has a specific role and place according to his costume in a particular wing of a specific section of the Samba School he is parading in support of.