Rio Carnival 2027: Dates, Sambadrome Parades and Phone Tips

Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is one of the biggest parties in the world: samba school parades in the Sambadrome, hundreds of free street parties and millions of people in the streets. It is also a trip where your phone matters a lot, for tickets, maps, rides at 3 in the morning and finding friends in a crowd of thousands. This guide gives you the 2027 dates, entry rules and practical tips for staying connected and keeping your phone safe.

Key facts

• Carnival 2027: Friday 5 to Tuesday 9 February 2027. Ash Wednesday is on 10 February 2027.
• Special Group parades (Sambadrome): nights of Sunday 7, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February 2027.
• Série Ouro parades (access group): Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February 2027.
• Champions' Parade: expected on Saturday 13 February 2027.
• E-visa: citizens of the US, Canada and Australia need a Brazil e-visa since 10 April 2025. Many other nationalities can visit without a visa; check the official rules for your passport.
• Mobile networks in Brazil: Claro, Vivo and TIM, with 4G and 5G across Rio.
• Emergency numbers: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire brigade).

Rio Carnival 2027 at a glance

Parades start in the evening and often finish after sunrise. Many visitors buy tickets for one or two nights rather than all three.

Your phone at Carnival

At Carnival, your phone is your ticket, your map, your taxi and your way to find friends. Networks in the busiest areas, such as the Sambadrome, Centro, Lapa, Ipanema and Copacabana, can be crowded at peak times, so plan for that.

What helps:

• Install a Brazil eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly. Your plan starts when the eSIM first connects in Brazil, so installing early costs you nothing.
• Download your Sambadrome tickets to your phone's wallet or save a screenshot before you leave the hotel.
• Share your live location with your group in WhatsApp or Google Maps, and agree a meeting point and time in case someone gets lost.
• Use Uber or 99 for rides at night instead of looking for a taxi in the street. You need mobile data to book and track the car.
• Send messages and voice notes when calls fail in the crowds.
• Keep your home line on for SMS codes from your bank, with data roaming switched off on it.

Keep your phone safe in the crowds

Phone theft is common at big street parties in Rio. A few simple habits make a big difference:

• Take an old or cheap phone to the blocos if you can, and leave your main phone at the hotel.
• Keep your phone in a front pocket, a zipped inner pocket or a waist bag, not in a back pocket or in your hand.
• Avoid using your phone on the street in busy crowds. Step into a shop or a quiet corner to check your map.
• Turn on a screen lock and Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) before you leave home.
• Write down your hotel address and an emergency contact on paper, in case your phone is lost.
• If your phone is stolen, mark it as lost from another device, contact your bank, and ask your home carrier to block your SIM so nobody can receive your SMS codes.

How much data do you need?

Carnival is a time of photos, videos and stories, so many visitors use more data than usual. Many of our Brazil unlimited plans give 1 to 3 GB a day at full speed, depending on the plan, and then a slower speed until the next day. Each plan card shows the daily amount. Our data calculator helps you estimate your own use.

Set up your phone before you fly

1. Check that your phone supports eSIM on our compatibility page.
2. If you are a US, Canadian or Australian citizen, apply for your Brazil e-visa online before you book flights.
3. Choose a Brazil eSIM with enough data for the number of days you are staying.
4. Install it at home on Wi-Fi from the QR code in your email, and keep the eSIM line switched off until you land.
5. Download your tickets, offline maps of Rio, Uber or 99, and a translation app for Portuguese.
6. When you land, switch on the eSIM, select it for mobile data with data roaming on, and turn off data roaming on your home line. Save 190 and 192 in your phone.

Frequently asked questions

When is Rio Carnival 2027?

Rio Carnival 2027 runs from Friday 5 to Tuesday 9 February 2027. Ash Wednesday, the end of Carnival, is on 10 February 2027.

When are the Sambadrome parades in 2027?

The Special Group samba schools parade on the nights of 7, 8 and 9 February 2027. The Série Ouro parades start on 5 February, and the Champions' Parade is expected on 13 February.

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Citizens of the US, Canada and Australia need a Brazil e-visa, applied for online before travel. Many other nationalities, including most Europeans, can visit Brazil without a visa for tourism. Check the official rules for your passport.

Does my phone work at Rio Carnival?

Yes. Claro, Vivo and TIM cover Rio with 4G and 5G, but the network can be busy in the biggest crowds. Messages and voice notes usually get through when calls fail.

Is it safe to take my phone to the blocos?

Phone theft is common in big crowds. If you can, take an old phone, keep it in a front or zipped pocket, and avoid using it in the middle of the crowd.

Can I use Uber in Rio de Janeiro?

Yes. Uber and the Brazilian app 99 work across Rio and are the easiest way to get home at night. You need mobile data to book a ride.

The bottom line

Rio Carnival 2027 runs from 5 to 9 February, with the Sambadrome parades on 7, 8 and 9 February and the Champions' Parade on 13 February. Sort your e-visa early if you need one, buy your parade tickets from the official channels, and set up a Brazil eSIM before you fly so you have data for maps and rides from the moment you land. Find plans for Brazil, and read our Brazil eSIM travel guide for the rest of your trip.

Sources

Checked on 7 November 2026:

• Riotur: Rio de Janeiro's official tourism and events office
• Diário do Rio: Grupo Especial parade order for Carnival 2027
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil: visas
• Apple: If your iPhone is lost or stolen