Parades in Rio

The Parades In Rio Are What Epitomize The Spirit Of The Carnival. Learn About The Samba Parades In Rio, Its Types And Dates. Buy Your Tickets And Join The Parades In Rio, Watching Or Dancing With A Real Samba Costume.

It does take long for the Rio Carnival fever to spread through the city once King Momo is handed the key to the city by the mayor and begins to samba. The Sambodromo is where the main competition takes place and you get to witness the most enchanting performances by thousands of musicians and dancers. The Access Group begin the competitive side of events on Carnival Saturday with a dozen samba schools vying for a spot in the next year’s Special Group. Carnival Sunday and Monday are the two nights when celebrations reach its peak with the top 12 samba schools in Rio turning up with a spectacle of floats, costumes, and Latin beats that keep the crowd on their feet. For the locals the Carnival is a way of expressing how proud they are of their community and culture to the rest of the world. Many visitors get into the act of dancing and singing at parades in Rio as well.

Types Of Samba Parades In Rio

Types Of Samba Parades In Rio

While there are many types of samba parades in Rio, the competition at the Sambodromo is spread over 5 nights. The parade begins every year with the Children’s Parade, followed by performances by the Access Group on Carnival Saturday, the Special Group on Carnival Sunday and Monday, and Access Group B on Carnival Tuesday. Every school prepares hard throughout the year to put up the largest spectacle at what they formally call ‘recreative gatherings’ and do their best to find favor with the panel of 40 judges.

Escolas De Samba Mirins – The Children’s Parade – Friday, February 8, 2013

The Children’s Parade is the first in a series of parades in Rio at the Sambodromo. On Carnival Friday, February 8, 2013 after King Momo gets everyone into the party mood, the children take center stage at the Sambodromo from 5 pm. These kids from the samba schools have entertained families at the Carnival for over three decades and are equally capable of giving the adult performers a run for their money. Entry to the Sambodromo is free on this night, although you can expect to enjoy every performance that is complete with costumes, floats, and samba dancers. Over 2000 children take part in the program that is well organized under adult supervision.

The Access Group – Group A – February 9, 2013

On Carnival Saturday, February 9, 2013 the Access Group or Group A set the Sambodromo ablaze with some riveting performances that begin at 9 pm. This is the first night of competition where 12 samba schools contend for a spot in the Special Group the next year. The cariocas are out in large numbers in support of their favorite school so you can expect to have an exciting time until the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The Access Group and Parade order of 2012.

Access Group - Second Tier of Samba Schools
Time February 18th (Saturday)
20:00 Paraíso do Tuiutí
21:00 Acadêmicos da Rocinha
22:00 Estácio de Sá
23:00 Inocentes de Belford Roxo
00:00 Império da Tijuca
01:00 Unidos do Viradouro
02:00 Acadëmicos de Santa Cruz
03:00 Império Serrano
04:00 Acadêmicos do Cubango

The Special Group – February 10 And 11, 2013

Carnival Sunday and Monday are the two nights when you have the opportunity to witness the most spectacular parades in Rio. The top 12 samba schools captivate the 80,000 spectators with their samba performances. 6 schools parade on February 19th while the next six hit the runway at the Sambodromo on February 11, 2013. The party begins at 8 pm and the last school usually enters the stadium before sunrise. The luxury suites are packed with celebrities that come to support their favorite samba school. Carnival tickets for these two days will allow you to witness popular samba schools like Salgueiro, Mangueira, Beija Flor, Grande Rio, and Mocidade enthrall the crowds with the delightful music and dance steps.

Special Group Parade - The parade of the parades.
Time February 10th (Sunday) February 11th (Monday)
21:00 - 22:15 Renascer de Jacarepaguá São Clemente
22:05 - 22:20 Portela União da Ilha
23:10 - 23:45 Imperatriz Salgueiro
00:15 - 01:05 Mocidade Mangueira
01:20 - 02:30 Porto da Pedra Unidos da Tijuca
02:25 - 03:50 Beija-Flor Grande Rio
03:30 - 05:15 Vila Isabel  

Group B – February 12, 2013

Although you may have a hangover from Carnival Monday, the performances by Group B, the smaller samba schools take place on Carnival Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 9 pm onwards. Over 1500 participants have the opportunity to prove their talents at the Sambodromo which can give them entry into the Access Group the next year.

The Champion’s Parade – Saturday, February 16, 2013

The results for the Special Group competition are declared on Ash Wednesday and the top six samba schools prove to the world their position at the top once more at the Sambodromo on Saturday, 16th February 2013. The teams may have stamped their authority on the samba strip but put up an equally scintillating performance as they bid adieu to their supporters until the next year. Samba Parade tickets for this event are less expensive and if you haven’t had the privilege of being at the Sambodromo on competition nights, this is one of the parades in Rio you ought not to miss.

Winners' Parade - Champion and 5 runner-up from Special Group
Time February 16th (Saturday)
21:00 6th place
10:05 5th place
11:10 4th place
00:15 3rd place
01:20 Runnerup
02:25 Champion
 
Other Parades with lesser interest for the tourist

Group B - 14 schools parade on Tuesday February 12th, from 7 PM.
Children's Parade - 18 junior samba schools parade on Friday February 8, from 5 PM.

How The Samba Champions Are Decided

How The Samba Champions Are Decided

Samba schools have the task of developing songs, and creating dance moves, costumes, and floats in order to compete for the title of best school. The schools are awarded points by a panel of 40 judges. They are judged on their costumes, dancers, floats, samba song, percussion band, the flow of the parade, theme of the year, the Flag Bearer, Vanguard Group, and overall impression, which is recent times have been the cause for many a controversy. The school with the lowest points is relegated to the lower group of samba schools while the one with the highest scores in the Access group is moved up to the Special Group. Each school is awarded points on a scale of 5 to 10 in each category. The samba drummers are the ones to set the tempo for the night. These drummers are skilled at setting rhythms that send the crowds into a frenzy. The judges keep a keen ear on their performances as the drummers are egged on by a bevy of sensuous samba dancers.

For centuries, samba songs have always contained meaningful lyrics and lilting melodies, which is what the judges like to hear from each samba school. Points are given for harmony and the manner in which the tune blends with the theme. Another important aspect that judges watch for is the pace at which the schools parade down the runway. Much of the electrifying performances by the schools can be attributed to the visual appeal which comes from the costumes and intricately designed sets according to the school’s theme. Here the judges are keen to reward the schools with as much points as possible due to the hard work that goes into the making of the costumes and floats. Points are also awarded to the Vanguard Commission, the group of 12 dancers that lead the samba school onto the runway. Celebrities are often a part of this group. They are followed by the flag bearer and her escort who are among the best samba dancers in the school. The decisive factor in the championship title is the points awarded for overall impression, where every judge’s opinion could vary depending on their tastes.

Tickets To The Sambodromo

The Rio Sambodromo has been renovated in time for the 2013 Carnival parades in Rio. An 80,000 strong crowd is expected to throng the stadium on every night of the festivities. There are seating arrangements to suit every budget. Tickets for Carnival Sunday and Monday when the top 12 samba schools perform are the most expensive. Entry for the Access Group and Group B are less expensive although the level of entertainment is as high as the two big days. The Sambodromo is divided into sectors with each sector accommodating a grandstand with free seating, frisas or open boxes, and luxury suites in a few sectors that are the most sought after by the rich and famous from around the globe.

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