If you are planning to be there for the 2027 Rio Carnival, the best way to get the feel of the Carnival is to check out the Samba School rehearsals. They are great opportunities for you to gear up for the finale. The Sambodromo Samba Parade rehearsal begins in January on the samba runway, and you can watch them for free. The rehearsals are similar to the samba parade but without floats and costumes. Plenty of drinks and cheap food is available outside the halls, and street parties after the rehearsals with live samba music are a treat for tourists.

Where to catch up the rehearsals:

You can choose to visit any samba school at night. Most samba halls are located in the distant suburbs and require a local or guide to take you there. Some samba schools are located outside Rio, but you can still make it there for an adventure that gets you into the Carnival mood.

Mangueira, Salgueiro, and Unidos da Tijuca are the best-known samba schools and are located within a reasonable distance from Zona Sul. You can take a cab to any of these schools to catch the rehearsals, and you will find plenty of cabs outside when you wish to return after the rehearsals. Mangueira is the most famous and biggest hall. Many tourists are found here, and the security is very good.

Mangueira and Salgueiro begin their rehearsals as early as November. By December, the rehearsals are in full swing, and all samba schools advertise rehearsal dates and timings for the benefit of people. Rehearsals begin at 7 pm and continue until almost the early hours of the next day. Samba School rehearsals are scheduled at 7 pm, 8 pm, and 10 pm in different samba schools, so you can choose any place of your choice. The schedule of the Série Ouro's and Special Group's technical rehearsals at the Sambadrome will be defined around mid-December.

Special Group Technical Rehearsals

Rehearsals will start in January and run until February. The twelve samba schools of the special group will warm up in Sapucaí on two weekends before the parades. The entrance is free.

Série Ouro Technical Rehearsals

The Série Ouro, from LigaRJ, will parade on Saturdays starting in January. Entry is free.