CarnivalDaily City Brief — Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief for Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Richard Mann·February 17, 2026 · 07:00 BRT·12 min read
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01
\nWeather & Air Quality
\nWhat to wear
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Temperature
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24°–32°C
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Hot and sunny
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Rain Chance
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10%
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Very low risk
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UV Index
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Very High
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SPF 50+ essential
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Tue 17
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32°C
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10% rain — Hot and sunny
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Wed 18
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30°C
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45% rain
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Thu 19
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28°C
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65% rain — Storms likely
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Fri 20
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28°C
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40% rain
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Weather tip: Terça de Carnaval delivers the best weather of the entire holiday window — 32°C with just 10% rain chance and abundant sunshine. This is the day to be outside. UV will be in the “very high” band from 10h to 15h: SPF 50+, hat, sunglasses and a water bottle are non-negotiable, especially at the Fervo da Lud from 7h. Tomorrow (Ash Wednesday) brings cloud cover and 45% rain. Thursday looks stormy at 65%. Hydrate aggressively between blocos — dehydration is the number-one medical complaint at Rio’s postos médicos today.
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02
\nDay at a Glance
\nQuick scan
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—FERVO DA LUD at 7h — Ludmilla’s megabloco on the Circuito Preta Gil, R. Primeiro de Março (Candelária). Free, no cordas. 600,000 expected. The biggest single bloco event of Carnaval 2026
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—SAPUCAI NIGHT 3 from 21h45 — Final night of Grupo Especial: Paraíso do Tuiuti (21h45), Vila Isabel (~23h30), Grande Rio (~01h00), Salgueiro (~02h30). Champion announced tomorrow. TV Globo live
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—56 BLOCOS TODAY — Busiest day of Carnaval de rua. Cordão do Boitatá (Praça XV 10h), Bangalafumenga (Glória 9h), Orquestra Voadora (Aterro 15h), Banda de Ipanema (Ipanema 15h). Full list in §03
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—MetrôRio 24h — continuous nonstop operation through midnight Wed 18. Line 2: Pavuna–General Osório. Estação Saara CLOSED. Cinelândia 6h–20h only. Central/Praça Onze for Sapucaí
—32°C, 10% rain — the best weather day of Carnaval. UV very high: SPF 50+, hat, hydrate. Rain returns tomorrow
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—B3 CLOSED — Carnaval recess. Ibovespa closed Friday at 186,464. USD/BRL at R$5.23. Markets reopen Wed 18 at 13h (shortened session to 17h55)
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—OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY — Terça de Carnaval is the only real feriado (Lei Estadual 5.243/2008). Banks, shops, government closed. Pix and ATMs function 24/7
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Terça de Carnaval is the culmination of Rio’s street folia — 56 blocos across every zone, the largest single-day count of the 2026 calendar. Ludmilla’s Fervo da Lud draws an expected 600,000 to the Circuito Preta Gil from 7h, making it the biggest individual bloco event in the country. After noon, the action shifts to the Aterro do Flamengo (Orquestra Voadora, 15h) and Ipanema (Banda de Ipanema, 15h). Tonight, the Sapucaí closes its 2026 Grupo Especial season with four schools: the Paraíso do Tuiuti opens at 21h45 with “Lonã Ifá Lukumí”, a meditation on Afro-diasporic spirituality connecting Brazil and Cuba.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily coverage of Rio de Janeiro business and economic developments.
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Vila Isabel follows with a tribute to Heitor dos Prazeres — painter, musician, and co-founder of Mangueira and Portela. The Grande Rio brings “Nação do Mangue”, celebrating the Manguebeat movement of Chico Science and Nação Zumbi. And the Salgueiro closes all 2026 Grupo Especial proceedings with a tribute to carnavalesca Rosa Magalhães, the most decorated female artist in Sapucaí history. Results are announced tomorrow on Ash Wednesday.
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The MetrôRio’s 139-hour nonstop operation continues through midnight on Quarta-feira de Cinzas (18 Feb). Line 2 runs Pavuna–General Osório. Estação Saara remains closed. Cinelândia operates 6h–20h only. For the Fervo da Lud, Carioca station is recommended (external bilheteria at Largo da Carioca). For the Sapucaí tonight, Central do Brasil (odd sectors) or Praça Onze (even sectors) — both 24h. VLT Lines 2 and 4 remain suspended through today; Line 3 extended to Terminal Gentileza with 20-min intervals.
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Markets: the Ibovespa closed Friday’s pre-Carnaval session at 186,464 (-0.69% on the day, +1.92% on the week). The index hit an intraday record of 190,561 on Wednesday, then saw profit-taking ahead of the holiday. USD/BRL closed at R$5.23, with the real down 4.71% YTD — strongest since May 2024. B3 is closed until Wednesday at 13h. Foreign investors have poured R$33+ billion into Brazilian equities in 2026 through 11 February, already exceeding the R$25.4 billion for all of 2025.
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\nRio de Janeiro Daily Brief for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. (Photo Internet reproduction)
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R. Primeiro de Março, 33 (Candelária) — Concentração 7h, cortejo 8h–12h — Free
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Ludmilla’s megabloco and the single biggest event of Carnaval de rua 2026. Free, no cordas, an expected 600,000 people. The trio elétrico runs along the Circuito Preta Gil — renamed in 2025 to honour the late Preta Gil, daughter of Gilberto Gil, who was instrumental in revitalising Rio’s street Carnaval. Repertoire: funk, pop, axé and hits from the new album. Arrive before 7h — Carioca station (external bilheteria at Largo da Carioca) is the best MetrôRio option.
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THE morning event. Dress light, carry only essentials in a waterproof pouch, and pre-load your MetrôRio card.
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Cordão do Boitatá — Centro
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Largo do Paço / Praça XV, Centro — 10h — Free
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One of Rio’s most musically accomplished blocos returns to Praça XV. A full brass orchestra performs marchinhas, sambas tradicionais and original compositions. The Boitatá is known for its artistic coherence and cultural depth — the kind of cortejo that defines Rio’s Carnaval de rua. Metrô: Uruguaiana or Carioca.
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Bangalafumenga — Glória
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Aterro do Flamengo, Glória — 9h — Free
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One of the Aterro’s most beloved blocos — infectious percussion, brass instruments, and a crowd that skews younger and musically engaged. A great warm-up before the afternoon shift at Orquestra Voadora. Metrô: Glória.
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Bloco das Carmelitas — Santa Teresa
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Ladeira de Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa — 10h — Free
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The traditional Carmelitas returns for its second desfile of the 2026 season, winding through the cobblestoned ladeiras of Santa Teresa. Fantasy: nuns’ habits. ~10,000 expected. A cultural institution of Rio’s street Carnaval since 1990.
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Blocos de Rua — Afternoon
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Orquestra Voadora — Aterro do Flamengo
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Aterro do Flamengo (Glória end) — 15h — Free
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The aerobatic brass and percussion bloco fuses samba, rock, maracatu, afrobeat and film soundtracks into one unstoppable cortejo along the Aterro. ~100,000 expected. One of the most musically original blocos in the city. Metrô: Glória.
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Banda de Ipanema — Ipanema
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R. Gomes Carneiro 55, Ipanema — 15h — Free
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One of Rio’s oldest and most iconic blocos. Special homage edition for 2026. ~50,000 expected. A quintessentially Zona Sul experience — beach-adjacent, irreverent, celebratory. Metrô: General Osório.
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Clube do Samba — Copacabana
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Copacabana — 10h — Free
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A samba de raiz bloco in Copacabana — traditional repertoire, strong bateria, neighbourhood crowd. Metrô: Cardeal Arcoverde or Siqueira Campos.
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Vagalume O Verde — Jardim Botânico
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R. Jardim Botânico / R. Pacheco Leão — 8h — Free
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A green-themed bloco winding through leafy streets near the Jardim Botânico. ~20,000 expected. A more intimate, neighbourhood-feel alternative to the megablocos. Family-friendly.
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Sapucaí — Grupo Especial Night 3 (Final Night)
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Grupo Especial — The Grand Finale
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Marquês de Sapucaí — Gates from 19h, parades from 21h45 — TV Globo live — liesa.org.br
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The final night of 2026’s Grupo Especial at the Sapucaí. Tonight’s lineup: (1) Paraíso do Tuiuti at 21h45, with “Lonã Ifá Lukumí” — exploring the Afro-diasporic connection between Brazil and Cuba through the Iorubá/Lucumí spiritual tradition; (2) Unidos de Vila Isabel at ~23h30, with “Macumbebê, Samborembá” — a tribute to Heitor dos Prazeres, painter, musician and co-founder of Mangueira and Portela; (3) Acadêmicos do Grande Rio at ~01h00, with “Nação do Mangue” — celebrating the Manguebeat movement of Chico Science, Nação Zumbi and the mangrove ecosystem of Recife; (4) Acadêmicos do Salgueiro at ~02h30, honouring carnavalesca Rosa Magalhães — seven-time champion and the most decorated female artist in Sapucaí history. Each school has 70–80 min.
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THE event of Terça de Carnaval. Apuração: Wednesday 18 Feb. Desfile das Campeãs: Saturday 21 Feb. Metrô: Central do Brasil (odd sectors) or Praça Onze (even sectors). Both 24h.
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Museums & Exhibitions
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CCBB Rio — Vetores-Vertentes & Viva Mauricio
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R. Primeiro de Março 66, Centro — CLOSED today — Reopens Wed 18 at noon — Free
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Two unmissable exhibitions await post-Carnaval. Vetores-Vertentes: 170 works by 11 women photographers from Pará — the Rio premiere of one of the decade’s most significant Brazilian photography shows. Viva Mauricio: an immersive experience of Mauricio de Sousa’s Turma da Mônica universe — 415,000+ visitors since opening. Both free. Mark them for Wednesday.
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MAM Rio — Daniel Buren & More
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Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85, Aterro — CLOSED — Reopens Wed 19 Feb
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Daniel Buren’s Voile/Toile – Toile/Voile (first Brazilian edition), Carmen Portinho retrospective, and “100 Years of Art: Gilberto Chateaubriand” — all waiting for post-Carnaval. MAM closed Feb 13; reopens Feb 19.
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04
\nTransport & Getting Around
\nKnow before you go
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MetrôRio
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24H CONTINUOUS OPERATION
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MetrôRio runs 24h through midnight Wed 18 Feb. Lines 1 & 4: Uruguai–Jardim Oceânico/Barra. Line 2: Pavuna–General Osório/Ipanema. Transfer Lines 1 & 2: Central to General Osório. For Fervo da Lud: Carioca station (external bilheteria at Largo da Carioca). For Sapucaí: Central do Brasil (odd sectors) or Praça Onze (even sectors) — both 24h. Estação Saara/Presidente Vargas CLOSED. Cinelândia 6h–20h only (pre-purchased card required). Catete: embarkation via Palácio access only (contactless/card). General Osório: external bilheteria at Praça access.
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VLT Carioca
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DISRUPTIONS — LINES 2 & 4 SUSPENDED
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VLT Lines 2 and 4 do NOT circulate through Centro today (bloco routes at Praça Tiradentes). Line 3 (Santos Dumont–Central) extended to Terminal Gentileza with ~20-min intervals. Use MetrôRio instead for Centro access.
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Road Closures
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EXTENSIVE RESTRICTIONS
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From 5h: R. Primeiro de Março, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos closed for Fervo da Lud. CET-Rio rolling closures across Centro, Zona Sul, Zona Norte all day. Sambódromo perimeter closed from 19h. Do not drive in Centro today.
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Rideshare & Ferries
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SURGE PRICING
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Uber/99 surge near blocos extreme — metro is faster and cheaper. Barcas Arariboia (Niterói–Praça XV): 30-min intervals, reduced to 15 min at peak. NFC contactless at MetrôRio turnstiles is the fastest way through.
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Transport tip: For the Fervo da Lud (7h), take MetrôRio to Carioca — arrive before 6h30. For blocos at the Aterro (Bangalafumenga 9h, Orquestra Voadora 15h), use Glória. For Sapucaí tonight, Central do Brasil (odd sectors, Terreirão do Samba) or Praça Onze (even sectors). Pre-load your card or use contactless to skip bilheteria queues.
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05
\nFood & Drink
\nWhere to eat
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Street Food at Blocos
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→ Espetinhos (R$8–15) — grilled meat skewers at every major bloco. Queijo coalho is the essential Carnaval snack
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→ Acarajé vendors near Aterro blocos — R$12–18. Bahian street food at its finest
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→ Cerveja ambulante: R$5–8 per can from licensed vendors (yellow vest). Bring small bills (R$5/10/20)
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→ Free water points along the Circuito Preta Gil for the Fervo da Lud
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Sit-Down & Supermarkets
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→ Most restaurants in Centro closed (feriado). Botequins in Zona Sul open. Bars along R. Gomes Carneiro and Lapa arches packed from midday
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→ Cervantes, Copacabana — legendary filé com abacaxi. Open late, open through Carnaval. R$30–50
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→ Prezunic: Recreio, Botafogo, Barra, Tijuca, Vila Isabel, Jardim Oceânico, Laranjeiras open until 21h. Other branches until 18h
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→ Copacabana/Leblon beachfront quiosques remain open for a proper sit-down meal with a view
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Hydration note: At 32°C with hours of dancing, dehydration is the number-one medical complaint. Carry water. Coconut water vendors every few hundred metres. Electrolyte sachets at any farmácia. Alternate one glass of water per alcoholic drink.
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06
\nPractical Information
\nNeed to know
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Money & Rates
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→ USD/BRL: R$5.23 (Fri 13 close). YTD: -4.71%. Mid-week low R$5.15 — lowest since May 2024
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→ Banks CLOSED today (official feriado). Reopen Wed 18 at 12h. Pix and ATMs 24/7
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→ Boletos due today payable Wed without penalty. TED not processed until Wed
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→ Shopping centres: restaurants only (feriado). Street shops closed. Airports and tourist zones excepted
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Health & Safety
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→ Six postos médicos along the Sapucaí. Medical posts at Praça Ana Amélia (Centro) and Praça do Lido (Copacabana)
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→ “Não é Não” anti-harassment campaign active. SPM-Rio women’s safety posts at Sapucaí and major circuits
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→ 60,000 pulseiras de identificação for children. Under-16s must be accompanied
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→ INSS closed; reopens Wed 14h. Detran-RJ closed through 18/02
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07
\nCommunity & Expat Life
\nConnect
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Expat Carnaval Picks
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→ First Carnaval? The Fervo da Lud (7h) is enormous and high-energy. For something more intimate, head to Cordão do Boitatá (Praça XV, 10h) or Vagalume O Verde (Jardim Botânico, 8h)
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→ LGBTQIAPN+ blocos: Divina Tretas (Aterro, 8h), Banda das Quengas (Lapa, 16h–18h)
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→ Family-friendly: Bloco Infanto Juvenil Largo do Machadinho (Largo do Machado, 9h), Kids2gether (Jardim Botânico, 8h)
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→ Language: “Qual bloco está passando?” (Which bloco is coming through?) and “Tem água?” (Do you have water?)
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Carnaval by the Numbers
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→ 6.8 million foliões expected at Rio’s blocos de rua across the full Carnaval season (Riotur)
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→ 56 blocos today — the busiest single day of the 2026 Carnaval calendar
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→ R$5.9 billion estimated economic impact. 500,000 at Sapucaí across three Grupo Especial nights
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→ Circuito Preta Gil: renamed in 2025 for Preta Gil (1974–2025), daughter of Gilberto Gil, key figure in revitalising Rio’s street Carnaval
→Taça Guanabara: Won by Fluminense. Taça Rio: Quarterfinal losers (Boavista, Volta Redonda, Botafogo, Bangu) compete
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→ No matches today — Carnaval break. Next fixtures expected after Ash Wednesday
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Brasileirão & International
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→ Brasileirão Série A paused for Carnaval. Resumes after Ash Wednesday
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→ Champions League resumes this week: PSG v Liverpool (Tue), Barcelona v Benfica (Tue), Bayern v Celtic (Wed)
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Sports note: No live football in Rio today — the Cariocão is on Carnaval break. The quarterfinals produced a classic Fla-Flu semifinal matchup, with Flamengo dispatching Botafogo 2-0 (goals from Paquetá and Erick Pulgar) and Fluminense beating Bangu 3-1 at Maracanã on Monday. Madureira and Vasco complete the last four. Semifinal dates TBC post-holiday.
→ Foreign inflows: R$33+ billion into Brazilian equities in 2026 (through 11 Feb), already exceeding R$25.4B for all of 2025
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→ US markets closed today (Presidents’ Day). Both B3 and NYSE dark — all repricing concentrates into Wednesday
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Market trend: The Ibovespa enters Carnaval up 1.92% for the week despite Friday’s profit-taking. The convergence of Brazil’s Carnaval and US Presidents’ Day creates rare simultaneous closures. Softer US CPI (2.4% vs 2.5% expected) may support emerging market flows when trading resumes Wednesday.
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10
\nWeek Ahead
\nPlan ahead
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Carnaval Week (Wed–Sun)
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→ Wed Feb 18 — Quarta-feira de Cinzas. Apuração: Grupo Especial results announced. Banks reopen 12h. B3 reopens 13h. CCBB reopens at noon. MetrôRio 24h ends midnight. City returns to normal
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→ Thu Feb 19 — Government offices reopen. MetrôRio regular schedule. MAM Rio reopens. 28°C, 65% rain — storms likely
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→ Fri Feb 20 — Escolas Mirins at Sapucaí. Full work week resumes
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→ Sat Feb 21 — Desfile das Campeãs at Sapucaí from 22h. Top Grupo Especial finishers return. MetrôRio 24h (5h Sat → 23h Sun). Tickets via liesa.org.br
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→ Sun Feb 22 — Pós-Carnaval: Monobloco closes the season (traditional finale). MetrôRio 24h ends 23h
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Looking ahead: Tonight’s Sapucaí finale closes the competitive season. Tomorrow’s apuração on Ash Wednesday will crown the 2026 champion — the Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, Portela, and Viradouro are widely considered the frontrunners after Nights 1 and 2. The Desfile das Campeãs on Saturday Feb 21 is your last chance to see the top schools perform — tickets via liesa.org.br. On the streets, Monobloco’s farewell cortejo on Sunday Feb 22 traditionally closes the Carnaval season. The city returns to normal operations on Wednesday, with banks, B3, museums and government services all reopening.
