How to Watch the Samba Schools Parade in Sambadrome

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting events, and the Samba Schools Parade is the celebration’s highlight.

If you plan to come to Rio during Carnival and witness this spectacular event, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your experience.

Be sure also to read: Practical Guide to enjoy the Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

Understanding the Samba Schools Parade

The Samba Schools Parade is not just a competition; it’s a vibrant celebration of Rio’s rich cultural heritage. The top samba schools, such as Mangueira, Salgueiro, and Portela, showcase their elaborate costumes, floats, and dance routines. Each school represents a different neighborhood or community in Rio, and their performances culminate months of preparation and practice, offering a unique cultural experience.

The parade takes place at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, a purpose-built open stadium designed by Oscar Niemeyer that can hold nearly 90,000 spectators. The 700-meter walkway is lined with grandstands and boxes on both sides, ensuring a comfortable and safe viewing experience for all.

The event is distributed over several nights, with the most popular parades occurring on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of Carnival week.

-> Are you planning to visit Rio before the Carnival week and want to learn more about the Samba School Parades? Join us for a Samba School Rehearsal or take a tour to the City of Samba and visit the backstage of a Samba School.

Choosing the Best Day to attend the Samba Schools Parade

The Samba Schools parades are divided into two main categories of Samba Schools: the Special Group and the Access Group. The Special Group comprises the most prestigious and well-known samba schools, while the Access Group features schools working their way up the ranks. Both groups offer unique and exciting performances, so your choice will depend on your budget and schedule.

In 2025, for the first time, the samba schools of the Special Group will parade on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, with the Champions Parade maintained for the following Saturday.

The Access Group parades on Friday and Saturday, offering a more affordable but still exciting option.

Choosing the best seats at the Sambadrome

The Sambadrome was designed to provide spectators with the best possible view of the entire catwalk in a comfortable and safe environment.

The Sambadrome offers a variety of seating arrangements, including Grandstands, chairs, frisas (open boxes), and Camarotes (VIP boxes), ensuring a perfect spot for everyone to enjoy the parade.

Sectors 3, 5, and 7 are among the best seats in the stands, with excellent views of the catwalk. If you want to reserve a seat in the stands, sector 9 (where tickets are sold mainly to tourists) is the only sector where this is possible. Alternatively, you can opt for seats in sections 12 and 13, the next most affordable option.

The frisas (boxes) next to the runway in each section are the perfect choice if you want to be up close and personal with the show’s participants. The VIP boxes are the choice of many celebrities and well-known personalities worldwide. Tickets to the boxes include a buffet and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

How to buy Tickets for the Samba Schools Parade

Tickets for the parade come in different price ranges and seating locations depending on the selected day. Here’s a breakdown:

Arquibancadas (Grandstands):

These are the most affordable tickets and offer a great view of the parade from a higher vantage point. There are no chairs in the stands, and it is wise to arrive at the Sambadrome early to choose a good location. The atmosphere here is lively, with lots of cheering and singing from the locals.

Cadeiras Numeradas (Allocated Chairs):

Located at the ends of the Sambadrome, in front of the stands, in sector 12. The seats are arranged on slightly inclined steps, like in a theater. As they are numbered seat tickets, they are a great option for those who want to have a guaranteed seat all night without paying a lot.

Frisas (Open Boxes):

Located at ground level, as close as possible to the track, these seats are more expensive but provide an up-close view of the parade. It is divided into four rows, from A to D (in which A and B are closest to the catwalk and C and D are further back but higher, allowing a view of the show without being obstructed by the rows in front). Each box accommodates up to 6 people in numbered seats. Frisas are available from sectors 2 to 13.

Camarotes (VIP Boxes):

The Camarotes are ideal for those who want to enjoy a party in addition to watching the Samba Schools parade in a premium space. The price includes not only comfort, privacy, and a fantastic view but also transportation in/out to the Sambadrome, an all-inclusive buffet, an open bar with a variety of drinks, live band attractions, and DJs playing during the breaks of the parades.

Tickets for the Samba Parade can be purchased online through the Ticketmaster website.

Also, as a new feature for 2025, it will be possible to purchase the ‘Rio Carnival Passport.’ This passport allows you to watch the three days of official parades for a lower price than the price charged to watch two days of parades in 2024 in the same sector. It’s a great option for those who want to experience the full excitement of the Samba Schools Parade and save some money.

Carioca Tip:

Prices can vary significantly, so buying them as early as possible is advisable, and be cautious of unofficial sellers to avoid scams.

Getting to the Sambadrome

The Sambadrome is in the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro. You can reach the venue by taxi or public transport, depending on where you’re staying.

One of the best ways to get to the Sambadrome is by subway. Trains leave every 10 minutes throughout the night with many costumed revelers heading to Sapucaí, and the service operates 24 hours during the parade days.

The metro service is reliable and safe, operating without interruption throughout Carnival, 24 hours a day, with a 10-minute interval during the early morning hours.
If you are in the even-numbered sectors, the best station is Praça Onze. Leave Praça Onze station via Access B – Marquês de Sapucaí and continue straight ahead to Sector 2. The Sambadrome will be in sight, and signage will help you find your sector. If you are in the odd-numbered sectors, the best stop to get off is the Central station. From there, walk to the Sambadrome, approximately 700 meters, along the floats of the schools about to enter and the famous Terreirão do Samba.

Carioca Tip:

It’s recommended to arrive early, as streets around the Sambadrome get crowded.

The Sambadrome also has an agreement with authorized taxi companies to drop you off inside the Sambadrome. Tell the taxi driver your sector number so he can take you to the correct entrance. The company authorized to provide taxi services on the even-numbered side is Coopatur (Tel: (21) 2573-1009 / 3885-1000). On the odd-numbered side, the company is Coopertramo (Tel: (21) 2560-2022 / 2560-1474). Both companies have a set price for different locations and require customers to call in advance to book their rides.

On the way back, you can take one of these taxis, parked between sectors 8 and 10 on the even-numbered side and between sectors 9 and 11 on the odd-numbered side.

Getting the Most Out of the Samba Schools Parade

Know the Parade Schedule: Each samba school has a specific time slot, so check the schedule to catch your favorite performances.
Stay Energized: The parades last all night, so pace yourself with food, drinks, and rest. Due to security reasons, ticket holders can only carry two 500 ml plastic bottles and two sealed food items. However, there are several food kiosks in each sector of the Sambadrome.
Join the Festivities: Don’t just watch — get involved! Sing, dance, and share in the energy of the crowd.
Watch Your Belongings: Carnival draws large crowds, so be mindful of your possessions and avoid bringing large bags.
Have a Meeting Spot: If you’re with a group, decide on a meeting point in case you get separated.

We hope these tips help you enjoy the extraordinary spectacle of the Samba Schools Parade in Rio de Janeiro, where you’ll be swept away by the mesmerizing rhythms, extravagant costumes, and infectious energy, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

And if you want to learn more about the Rio Carnival, check out our Practical Guide to Enjoy Rio Carnival with tips from locals to make the most of this incredible event.

Do you want to watch the samba school parade in comfort and safety, accompanied by a local bilingual guide at all times? Contact our sales team and book one of our Carioca Tour Guides.

If you require any assistance planning your visit or desire a personalized itinerary for your trip, contact us! Our local expert team is dedicated to making your journey to Rio de Janeiro memorable.