Carnival Bandas and Blocos - Free Street Parades

Street parties and parades with musical bands (bandas) are known as blocos and represent an important part of Rio Carnival celebrations. Many consider these blocos to be the free "Carnival Balls" open to everyone. There are hundreds of blocos that spring up over Carnival week, so whether you plan to attend one of the better known blocos or not, you are likely to find one spring up around you.

Blocos add a measure of energy and revelry that is hard to find anywhere else. Cariocas proud of their neighborhood have colors and traditions that complement the traditions of the the samba schools. These Carnival balls aren't restricted to the Sambódromo or nightclubs - Everyone gets to party during Carnival! So don't worry if you don't have a ticket to the parade or one of the fancy balls; you can join the locals in marching, drinking and dancing in the true spirit of Carnival revelry.

Here is a schedule of some of the best known blocos and associated details:

South Zone - Zona Sul

Banda de Ipanema - City District: IPANEMA

Dates: Feb 2, 11 and 21 - Both Saturdays before Carnival and Carnival Tuesday - Time: 5 pm (17:00)

Route: Praça General Osório, Ipanema Beach, Leblon

Imprensa Que Eu Gamo - City District: LARANJEIRAS

Dates: Feb 2 and 11 - Both Saturdays before Carnival - Time: 4 pm (16:00)

Route: Mercadinho São José das Artes, Rua Gago Coutinho

Simpatia é Quase Amor - City District: IPANEMA

Dates: Feb 11 and 19 On Saturday before Carnival and Carnival Sunday - Time: 4 pm (16:00)

Route: Teixeira de Mello and Vieira Souto - Posto 10

Suvaco do Cristo - City District: JARDIM BOTÂNICO

Dates: Feb 12 - Sunday before Carnival - Time: 1 pm (13:00)

Route: Rua Jardim Botânico, Praça Santos Dummont, in front of the Jockey Club

Esse é o Bom, mas ninguém sabe - City District: COSME VELHO

Date: Feb 15 - Wednesday before Carnival - Time 6:30 pm (18:30)

Meeting: Quadra dos Guararapes, Ladeira dos Guararapes

Bip-Bip - City District: COPACABANA

Dates: Feb 18 and 21 - Carnival Saturday and Shrove Carnival - Time 11:59 pm (23:59)

Meeting: Bar Bip-Bip, Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50

Bloco Que Merda é Essa?! - City District: IPANEMA

Date: Feb 19 - Carnival Sunday - Time 2 pm (14:00)

Meeting: corner of Rua Garcia d'Ávila and Nascimento Silva

Route: Garcia d'Ávila, Vieira Souto to Arpoador

Rancho Flor do Sereno - City District: COPACABANA

Date: Feb 20 - Carnival Monday 6 pm (18:00)

Meeting: Bar Bip-Bip, Rua Almirante Gonçalves 50 - Route: Av. Atlântica, along the beach

Monobloco - City District: COPACABANA

Date: Feb 26 - Sunday after Carnival - Time 9:00 am

Route: along Av. Atlantica

Downtown

Bloco das Carmelitas - City District: SANTA TERESA

Dates: Feb 10 - Friday before Carnival - Time 6 pm (18:00) and Feb 28 - Tuesday after Carnival - Time 5 pm (17:00)

Meeting place: on the corner of Dias de Barros and Ladeira de Santa Teresa - Route: Dias de Barros, Alte. Alexandrino and Largo do Guimarães.

Escravos da Mauá - City District: DOWNTOWN - Praça Mauá

Date: Feb 16 - Thursday before Carnival - Time 7 pm (19:00)

Meeting place: Largo de S. Francisco da Prainha, close to Rua Sacadura Cabral - Route: Rua Sacadura Cabral, Praça Mauá, Av. Rio Branco, Rua Mayrink Veiga to Largo de Santa Rita, Rua do Acre, and back to Praça Mauá

Cordão do Bola Preta - City District: DOWNTOWN - (Cinelândia)

Date: Feb 18 - Carnival Saturday - Time 9:30 am

Meeting place: Rua Sacadura Crabral, 373 - Route: Rua Araújo Porto Alegre, Rua México, Praça Melvin Jones, Av. Nilo Peçanha and Largo da Carioca

Céu na Terra - City District: SANTA TERESA

Date: Feb 20 - Carnival Monday - Time 4pm (16:00)

Meeting: Rua Dias de Barros, in front of the Bar do Serginho

An even more complete list is maintained by RioTur. Check out the "Blocos by location and date" list here.