Rio’s 2017 Pre-Carnival Blocos to Carry On All Weekend

By Ciara Long, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Rio’s famous pre-Carnival blocos (street parties) erupt once again this weekend, two weeks ahead of the official beginning of the city’s Carnival celebrations. Beginning from 4PM on Friday, February 10th, blocos will continue until late on Sunday evening, February 12th.

There will be a total of 45 blocos happening throughout Rio’s different districts this weekend. Friday evening will see four blocos, three in Zona Norte (north zone) and ‘Badalo de Santa Teresa’ in Largo das Neves from 7PM.

Saturday, February 11th boasts 25 blocos, beginning as early as 8AM with ‘Desliga da Justiça’ in Gávea’s Praça Santos Dumont. Other blocos on Saturday morning include ‘Vira-Lata’ in Barra da Tijuca at 9AM and Spanta Neném in Lagoa.

However, the majority of Saturday’s blocos will take place in the afternoon, with ‘GB Bloco’ and ‘Imprensa Que Eu Gamo’ both kicking off in Laranjeiras at 1PM. Also taking place in Zona Sul and Centro during the afternoon are ‘Banda de Ipanema’ at 4PM on Rua Jangadeiros, ‘Fala Meu Louro’ in Santo Cristo at 3PM, plus ‘Bloco das Carmelitas’ and ‘Cordão do Prata Preta’ in Centro at 6PM.

Some of Rio’s most famous blocos will take to the streets of Zona Norte on Saturday as well, including ‘Cadê Meu Beijo?’ in Ilha do Governador at 2PM, ‘Seu Kuka’ in Grajaú at 3PM and ‘Alegria da Mangueira’ in Mangueira at 4PM.

A further sixteen blocos are scheduled for Sunday, February 12th. Five will take place in the morning, with a 9AM start for those wishing to attend Laranjeiras bloco ‘Volta Alice’. Bloco ‘Chame Gente’ will also start from 9AM in São Conrado, while ‘Alegria Sem Ressaca’ and ‘Calma, Calma Sua Piranha’ will both start from 10AM in Copacabana.

There will be two blocos in Ilha do Governador at 10AM on Sunday, ‘Foliões do Rio’ and ‘Se Cair Eu Como’, with the afternoon’s blocos also mostly due to take place in Rio’s Zona Norte. Notable among those scheduled are ‘Xodó da Piedade’ at 4PM in Piedade and the weekend’s final bloco, ‘Império da Tijuca’ at 7PM in Tijuca.

For those wishing to stay closer to Zona Sul on Sunday afternoon, ‘Malandragem do Porto’, ‘Chinelo de Dedo’ and ‘Fiquei Firme da Favela’ are set to take place in Centro from mid-afternoon.