São Paulo Daily Brief for Monday, February 16, 2026
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\nWeather & Air Quality
\nWhat to wear
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Tue 17
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Wed 18
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Thu 19
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Fri 20
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\nDay at a Glance
\n8 headlines
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Segunda de Carnaval is the biggest single day on SP’s street calendar. The Bloco da Pabllo — Pabllo Vittar’s annual megabloco — takes over the Ibirapuera corridor from 13h to 18h, drawing crowds that regularly exceed 200,000. It is the most attended bloco in the city this year. Before the megabloco, smaller traditional cortejo blocos fill the Centro, Vila Madalena, Pinheiros and Vila Buarque from early morning: the Espetacular Charanga do Franca (9h, Vila Buarque), created by musician Thiago Franca, is the pick for anyone who values live brass, samba and marchinhas over amplified pop.
This is part of The Rio Times’ daily coverage of São Paulo business and economic developments.
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In the Paulistao, the first phase concluded yesterday with all eight matches played simultaneously. The Novorizontino finished top with 16 points, ahead of Palmeiras and Red Bull Bragantino on tiebreakers. The four grandes all qualified: Palmeiras (2nd, 16pts), Corinthians (5th, 14pts), Sao Paulo (6th, 13pts) and Santos (8th, 12pts — propelled by a 6-0 demolition of Velo Clube). The quartas de final take place on Sunday Feb 22 in single-leg matches: Novorizontino vs Santos, Palmeiras vs Capivariano, Bragantino vs Sao Paulo, Portuguesa vs Corinthians. Velo Clube and Ponte Preta were relegated to the Serie A2.
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Transport: the Metro operates 24h through Carnaval. Tonight (Sun 15 to Mon 16), embarque is only at Portuguesa-Tiete (L1) and Palmeiras-Barra Funda (L3); all other stations are open for desembarque and transfers. CPTM lines 10-Turquesa, 11-Coral, 12-Safira and 13-Jade also run 24h with embarque at Palmeiras-Barra Funda only. Lines 4-Amarela, 5-Lilas, 8-Diamante and 9-Esmeralda accept passengers until midnight then operate desembarque-only until dawn. For the Sambodromo do Anhembi, free Atende buses depart from Portuguesa-Tiete and Palmeiras-Barra Funda from 18h.
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Markets: B3 is closed for Carnaval recess, reopening Wednesday Feb 18 at 13h. The Ibovespa closed Friday’s pre-Carnaval session at 186,464 (-0.69%), after hitting an intraday record of 190,561 on Wednesday. USD/BRL closed at R$5.23. US markets are also closed today for Presidents’ Day. In the US, January CPI came in at 2.4% annual (below expected 2.5%), reviving hopes for two Fed cuts in 2026. The convergence of Brazilian Carnaval and US Presidents’ Day creates a rare simultaneous shutdown — all repricing concentrates into Wednesday’s shortened sessions.
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\nCulture & Events
\nWhat to see & do
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Blocos de Rua — Morning
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Espetacular Charanga do Franca — Vila Buarque
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Created by musician Thiago Franca, this is one of the most respected traditional blocos in SP’s Centro. Known for its sophisticated brass section, mixing marchinhas, samba and instrumental arrangements. The cortejo departs from Rua Barao de Tatui and winds through the Vila Buarque streets. A favourite among music purists — if you want live instrumentation over amplified pop, start your day here. Metro: Santa Cecilia or Republica.
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Besame Mucho — Itaim Bibi
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A popular bloco on the Faria Lima corridor with a Latin-flavoured repertoire. Draws a Zona Oeste crowd from Pinheiros and Vila Olimpia. The morning start and central location make it an accessible first bloco of the day before heading to Ibirapuera for the afternoon megablocos. Metro: Faria Lima (L4-Amarela).
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Me Lembra Que Eu Vou — Pinheiros
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A Pinheiros neighbourhood bloco with a loyal following. The Rua Wisard route takes you through the heart of Vila Madalena — SP’s bohemian quarter. Expect a laid-back vibe compared to the megablocos, with hand-held percussion and a mix of samba and pop. Metro: Fradique Coutinho (L4).
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Blocos de Rua — Afternoon
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Bloco da Pabllo — Ibirapuera
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The biggest megabloco of Segunda de Carnaval. Pabllo Vittar commands a trio eletrico with a set mixing pop, electronic and drag performance. Expect 200,000+ people along the Ibirapuera corridor. Arrive by 11h–12h for positioning — by 13h the crowd is dense. Bring water, sunscreen and patience. This is SP’s equivalent of Cordao da Bola Preta in Rio. Metro: AACD-Servidor (L5-Lilas) or bus to Ibirapuera.
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Agrada Gregos — Ibirapuera
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One of SP’s largest LGBTQ+ blocos, with a mix of pop, funk and electronic music. The Agrada Gregos has grown into one of the city’s marquee Carnaval events with a massive, inclusive crowd. Running simultaneously with Bloco da Pabllo in the same Ibirapuera corridor — the atmosphere along Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral will be electric from early afternoon.
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Gringoloco — Pinheiros
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A Pinheiros-based bloco with a deliberately international audience. The name says it — this is where the expat crowd gravitates. Music is eclectic: Latin pop, reggaeton, Brazilian funk. Late-afternoon start makes it a good second bloco after an Ibirapuera morning/early afternoon. Metro: Fradique Coutinho (L4).
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Bloco Preto ZUMBIIDO Afropercussivo — Republica
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An Afro-Brazilian percussion bloco based at Largo do Paissandu in the heart of Centro. The group draws on candomble rhythms, maracatu and samba-reggae to create one of the most musically distinctive blocos in SP. If you want a culturally deeper experience away from the megabloco crowds, this is a strong choice. Metro: Republica (L3/L4).
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Also Today — 100+ More Blocos
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Bloco dos Bancarios (Centro 10h), Tarado Ni Voce (Republica 11h), Bloco da Lisa (Augusta 11h), Minhoqueens (Republica 13h), Bloco Amoribunda (Vila Mariana 16h), Se Fui Triste Nao Me Lembro (Itaim Bibi 14h), Bloco do Salve (Guapira 12h), among dozens more across all zones. Confirm schedules on social media or the Prefeitura’s official Carnaval SP site — midweek blocos are more prone to last-minute changes.
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Sambodromo do Anhembi
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Grupo Especial — Desfiles Concluded
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The Grupo Especial desfiles took place on Friday (Feb 13) and Saturday (Feb 14) at the Sambodromo do Anhembi. The defending champion is Rosas de Ouro (2025). The apuracao (scoring and results) is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 17, at the Anhembi. The Desfile das Campeas follows on Saturday, Feb 21. For those who missed the main nights, the Campeas is the more affordable and relaxed way to experience the Sambodromo. Tickets at sambodromo.com.br.
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Museums & Exhibitions
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CCBB SP — Joaquin Torres Garcia: 150 Anos
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A major international retrospective of the Uruguayan artist Joaquin Torres Garcia, marking 150 years since his birth. More than 500 works on view — paintings, drawings, objects and documents revealing little-known aspects of his production and his pioneering vision of Latin American modernism. The CCBB is open today (Monday) and stays open through Carnaval: open Sat 14, Sun 15, Mon 16 (9h–20h), closed Tue 17, reopens Wed 18 at 12h. Free entry. 5 minutes from Metro Sao Bento.
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Pinacoteca — Trabalho de Carnaval
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A thematically perfect exhibition for Carnaval week: over 200 works exploring the labour behind Brazil’s greatest festival — from costume makers and float builders to percussionists and choreographers. Includes original samba school fantasias, video documentation and critical commentary on the workers who make Carnaval possible. On view through April. The Pinacoteca is open today (Monday). Metro: Luz or Tiradentes.
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MASP — Closed Today
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The MASP is closed every Monday. When it reopens, the 2026 program Historias latino-americanas launches in March with exhibitions by Sandra Gamarra Heshiki, La Chola Poblete and Claudia Alarcon & Silat. Currently on view: Abel Rodriguez (Amazonian botanical drawings, through Apr 5) and Clara Ianni: Openings (through Mar 22) in the new Edificio Pietro Maria Bardi. Free on Tuesdays (Nubank) and Friday evenings from 18h (B3).
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Sesc 24 de Maio — HIP-HOP 80’sp
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Over 3,000 pieces telling the story of hip-hop in Sao Paulo from the 1980s to today, with collective curation by OSGEMEOS, Rooneyoyo O Guardiao and KL Jay. On view through March 29. Normally closed Mondays — check @saboresdosesc on Instagram for possible Carnaval extended hours. If closed today, visit Tuesday onwards. Also home to a rooftop pool, art galleries and a cafe. Metro: Republica.
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\nTransport & Mobility
\nGetting around
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Running ininterrupto since Friday 13h. Tonight (Sun–Mon madrugada): embarque only at Portuguesa-Tiete (L1) and Palmeiras-Barra Funda (L3). All other stations open for desembarque and transfers. Normal service resumes after Carnaval.
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Lines 4-Amarela, 5-Lilas, 8-Diamante and 9-Esmeralda: estacoes open for embarque until midnight. After midnight, desembarque and transfers only until dawn. Effective through Feb 16.
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All CPTM lines running 24h. Palmeiras-Barra Funda is the only station open for embarque overnight; all others are desembarque and transfers only during madrugadas.
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Significant surge pricing in Centro and near Ibirapuera. Major road closures: Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral (Ibirapuera corridor) blocked for megablocos from ~10h. CET and SPTrans deploy 12,000+ agents. 1,300 bus lines + 150 night lines operational.
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\nFood & Drink
\nWhere to eat
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Street Food at Blocos
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Sit-Down Picks
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Hydration & Survival
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\nPractical & Civic
\nExpat essentials
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Money & Rates
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Health & Safety
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Carnaval Calendar
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\nCommunity & Social
\nExpat connections
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Expat Carnaval Picks
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Sports & Fitness
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Families & Kids
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\nSports
\nMatches & results
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Paulistao 2026 — Quartas de Final
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Single-leg knockout matches on Sunday Feb 22. Mando for the higher-seeded team. Draws decided on penalties, no extra time. Conselho Tecnico meets today (Mon 16) at 15h to confirm dates and venues. Velo Clube and Ponte Preta relegated.
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Brasileirao Serie A 2026 — Carnaval Break
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\nBusiness & Economy
\nMarket pulse
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Markets Snapshot
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Market trend: SP’s Carnaval impact is estimated at R$3.4 billion, with 16.5 million participants expected across 627 blocos. The 2026 edition is the first financed entirely by private sponsorship — no public funds — a model the Prefeitura says allows expanded infrastructure and better organization. The iFood is lead sponsor, with Casas Bahia covering the Paulistao and Sambodromo naming rights.
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\nWeek Ahead
\nPlan ahead
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Related: Rio de Janeiro Brief | Brazil Morning Call