The blocos, also called "bloco de rua" or "bloco de carnaval", are community-organized street parties that have become the lifeblood of Brazil's Carnival. Unlike the lavish parades of the Sambadrome, which where samba schools compete and showcase their artistry, blocos are open street parties that anyone can join. These street parties date back to the 19th century, evolving from informal neighborhood gatherings into the diverse range of events they are today.
More than just a party, Blocos provide a platform for self-expression, creativity, and community building. Blocos also play a role in preserving and promoting regional cultural identities, offering a space where people can engage with music, dance, and narratives tied to their heritage.
How do Blocos actually work?
Going to Carnaval do Rio in 2026? > Book a Sambadrome tickets for Carnaval 2026 > Book accommodation for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, ASAP! > Book a bus ticket to Rio de Janeiro
Blocos work differently depending which city you visit for Carnival. In Rio de Janeiro, some blocos are set up in one location, like a regular concert or street party, while others have a parade in which you typically dance and follow behind a marching band playing live music.
In Salvador, blocos are huge parades that follow trio eletricos (trucks equipped with huge sound systems) that drive around a circuit. There are three main circuits used for the trio eletricos: Osmar in Campo Grande, Dodô in Barra-Ondina and Batatinha in Pelourinho. The biggest of these blocos attract millions of people and the streets become more of a mosh pit than a parade.
In Olinda, most blocos parade through the narrow hilly streets of the historic centre. You can either follow the bloco on its journey through town by parading behind the band, or you can find a spot to stand and watch various blocos pass you by.
Are Carnival Blocos free?
Most blocos at Carnival in Brazil are free and open to the public, allowing anyone to join the parade and enjoy the music without needing a ticket. However, some blocos, especially in cities like Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, offer paid options, that include an abadás (custom shirts) that grant access to exclusive areas with perks like security, open bars, after parties, and/or better views of performances. The cost of participating in these premium blocos varies, with some charging for VIP access while still allowing general public to follow along in the streets for free.
In addition you can pay to enter a Camarote, a private viewing area that provide an exclusive Carnival experience, offering premium services such as gourmet food, drinks, and live entertainment in a more comfortable and secure setting. Each Camarote also has its own vibe, and most provide a view of the blocos or concert stages from above.
What are the themes of Carnival Blocos?
Each bloco has a unique identity, often centered on a theme that influences its music and costumes. Their themes often celebrate local traditions, historical or political events, or celebrities, with music ranging from samba and frevo to axé and funk. Some are small and intimate, attracting locals with acoustic samba groups, while others, like the Cordão da Bola Preta at Carnaval de Rio de Janeiro and Galo da Madrugada in Recife, draw millions to the streets.
Many blocos include a dress up theme or a colour that you should wear. Some also design a t-shirt just for the blocos participants, called an Abadá, that are often customised by cutting, tying, and accessorizing them and transforming them into crop tops, dresses, or even costume.
Here are some of the most famous Blocos de Carnaval held each year and their theme
There are literally hundreds of blocos that are held during Carnival, with different themes and costumes. The Carnaval celebrations in each region of Brazil typically focus on different genre of music: Samba in Rio, Axe in Salvador, and Frevo in Recife & Olinda - though of course you will also find some blocos playing different genres of music as well. Here is just a selection of some blocos that you might attend during Carnaval in 2025:
Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro – Samba Music (& more!)
See the official bloco schedule for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Cordão da Bola Preta - Founded in 1918, this bloco is the oldest in Rio and parades through downtown, featuring black-and-white polka-dot costumes and samba music. It attracts over one million attendees annually.
Bloco das Carmelitas - Inspired by the legend of a runaway nun, this bloco starts in the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Participants dress in nun costumes and parade down the cobblestone streets.
Monobloco - Created in 2000, Monobloco performs a blend of samba, funk, and maracatu. It gathers large percussion ensembles and draws thousands to Rio's city center for an energetic parade.
Sargento Pimenta - This Beatles-themed bloco, established in 2011, performs samba and Brazilian renditions of the Beatles classic songs. People often wear costumes inspired by Beatles songs and their lyrics.
Bloco do Barbas - Active since 1981, this neighborhood bloco in Botafogo is known for playful traditions, including spraying attendees with water hoses from residents' homes along the route.
Desce Mas Não Sobe - Attendees gather at the top of Santa Teresa’s hills and walk down in a lively parade that celebrates traditional samba music and this hilly historic neighborhood.
Learn more about blocos in Rio
Blocos at Carnaval de Olinda, Pernambuco – Frevo Music
See the official bloco schedule for Carnival in Recife & Olinda
Encontro dos Bonecos Gigantes – A spectacular parade famous for its towering, handcrafted giant puppets, each representing iconic cultural figures, folklore characters, and historical personalities from Pernambuco and beyond.
Eu Acho É Pouco – A politically charged and rebellious bloco founded in 1977, instantly recognisable by its bold red-and-yellow dragon theme, symbolizing resistance, joy, and social critique through music and dance.
Elefante de Olinda – One of Olinda’s most traditional blocos, established in 1952, featuring vibrant red elephant-inspired costumes, lively frevo orchestras, and a nostalgic anthem that embodies the spirit of Carnival.
Sambadeiras – A groundbreaking all-female samba percussion group that empowers women through rhythm, uniting over 270 drummers in purple costumes in a powerful celebration of Afro-Brazilian heritage and feminism.
Mangue Beat – Created in 1996 as a tribute to musician Chico Science, this bloco, also known as "Bloco da Lama," begins at the mangroves where people cover themselves in mud before parading through Olinda.
Learn more about blocos in Olinda
Carnaval de Recife, Pernambuco – Frevo Music
Galo da Madrugada - Recognised as the world's largest bloco, it starts early in the morning and runs all day bringing millions to Recife's streets. It features frevo bands, colorful floats, and elaborate costumes and of course, the giant rooster.
Bloco da Saudade - This bloco honors Recife’s carnival traditions with vintage costumes and nostalgic frevo songs that evoke early 20th-century carnival celebrations.
Learn more about blocos in Recife
Blocos at Carnaval de Salvador, Bahia – Axé Music
Ilê Aiyê - Founded in 1974 in the Curuzu neighborhood, Ilê Aiyê is the first Afro bloco in Brazil. It highlights Yoruba traditions and African heritage through samba afro, drum ensembles, and elaborately designed costumes.
Navio Pirata - Created by the band BaianaSystem, this bloco blends reggae sound systems, Bahian guitar, and Afro-Brazilian rhythms like afoxé and samba-reggae. The trio elétrico engages the audience in a collective musical experience led by vocalist Russo Passapusso.
Bloco Olodum - Founded in 1979 in Pelourinho, Olodum uses its themes to celebrate the African diaspora through costumes designed by artists. It’s a symbol of Salvador’s cultural resistance and African pride. The bloco became an NGO in the 1980s and promotes racial equality, music education, and social revitalisation.
Learn more about blocos in Salvador
Blocos at Carnaval de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
Baianas Ozadas - Created in 2012, this bloco brings Bahia’s axé culture to Belo Horizonte. Participants dress in baiana-inspired outfits and enjoy samba and axé music.
Quando Come Se Lambuza - Known for mixing samba, funk, and pop, this bloco attracts attendees with creative costumes and diverse music playlists.
Blocos at Carnaval de São Paulo
Bloco do Beco - Founded in 2002 in Vila Madalena, Bloco do Beco promotes cultural preservation and community empowerment through its carnival parade. It later expanded into year-round cultural activities, offering music, dance, and civic education.
Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta - This bloco celebrates São Paulo’s downtown with parades that mix samba and pop. It often features politically charged themes and encourages creative, eclectic costumes.
Tarado Ni Você - Dedicated to Caetano Veloso, this bloco brings his tropicalia songs to São Paulo's carnival, accompanied by samba beats and attendees dressed in creative tributes to the artist.
Blocos at Carnaval de Paraty
Bloco da Lama - A unique Carnaval experience, in which attendees cover themselves in mud and parade through the streets following a truck playing local music. Read my guide to attending Paraty's Mud Carnaval (Bloco da Lama).
Tickets for Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, 2026
Read my free guide on how to get tickets for the Sambadrome
The good news is - most blocos are free and do not require tickets for entry. However, if you are hoping to visit the Sambadrome, tickets will sell out fast, so don't delay in booking your ticket.
You can click here to see other Carnival activities in addition to the Sambadrome, such as behind the scenes tours.
Bloco Schedule for Brazil's Carnaval, 2025
To find out the list of blocos for the 2025 Carnaval, and the schedule for the blocos near you, follow these links:
What is your favorite bloco? Let me know in the comments below!