Carnaval 2026: Copacabana receives Fan Fest with the world's largest battery and free programming

The Carnaval of Rio will win a novelty for 2026. Cariocas and tourists will count a new space to feel the atmosphere of the folia even before the parades in Marquis de Sapucaí. From January 20, Copacabana Beach becomes a great celebration point with a Fan Fest which will continue to animate the waterfront until February 21, Saturday of the Champions. Through the concept “Feel the Carnaval”, the public will have the opportunity to meet and experience some stages of the parade, through workshops with sambaists and even a symbolic carnival procession at sunset.

At the opening, the organizers promise a historical spectacle: a super battery with more than 1,200 rhythmists, bringing together members of various schools of the Special Group. The presentation will be led by masters of the Greatest Show on Earth, among them Master Ciça, honored in the plot of the Viradouro of 2026, and Master Casagrande, of the United States of the Tijuca, whose parade pays tribute to the writer Carolina Maria de Jesus.

In addition, a Guinness World Records team will be present to record the attempt to sign up as the world's largest samba school battery.

Shows, workshops and broadcast of the Shows

At Posto 3, at the time of Rua República do Peru, a special stage will receive performances from Friday to Sunday, with concerts in double format — a consecrated artist and a guest. The full schedule and lineup will be released soon. In addition to the shows, Fan Fest will have free carnival activities, such as battery workshops, samba on foot and the participation of passers and rhythmists from the Special Group schools every day. During the official parade days, screens installed in space will broadcast live the presentations directly from Sapucaí.

Fan Fest's official release for press and sponsors takes place on January 15, at the Marimbás Club. Fan Fest comes to contemplate a series of events that will set the tone of what will happen in the Samba Passarella Shows that, from the 23rd, the technical trials of the S Associations Gold series and the Special Group. The other novelty of this year is that, for the first time, the parades of the children schools will open the schedule of rehearsals, with presentations on January 31, February 1st and February 8th, reinforcing the fundamental role of samba schools in the formation of future generations of the carnaval Rio.

The rehearsals continue until February 8, always on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The traditional Samba Passerella wash is scheduled for the 7th.

Technical Test Calendar:

Friday – 23/1, from 21h
• United Jacarezinho
• In Top of the Hour
• United of the Bridge
• Academics of Vicar General
• United Father Miguel

Saturday – 24/1, from 18 h
• Botafogo Samba Clube
• Union of Acari Park
• United Bangu
• Union of Maricá
• Union of the Governor's Island

Saturday – 25/1, from 18 h
• Not guilty of Purple Belford
• Engenho de Dentro Start
• Serrano Empire
• United Port of the Stone
• Stage of Sá

Friday – 30/1, from 21h
• Niterói academics
• Independent Youth of Father Miguel
• First Station of Hose
• United Tijuca

Saturday – 31/1, from 20 h
• United States of Vila Isabel
• Willow Academics
• Paradise of Tuiuti
• Portela

Sunday – 1/2, from 19h
• United of the Vidour
• Empress Leopoldinense
• Academics of the Great Rio
• Kiss-Flor of Nilópolis

Friday – 6/2, from 21h
• Niterói academics
• Independent Youth of Father Miguel
• First Station of Hose
• United Tijuca

Saturday – 7/2, from 18 h
• United States of Vila Isabel
• Willow Academics
• Paradise of Tuiuti
• Portela

Sunday – 8/2, from 19h
• United of the Vidour
• Empress Leopoldinense
• Academics of the Great Rio
• Kiss-Flor of Nilópolis

Calendar Gold Series Shows

Friday - 13/2

• United Jacarezinho
• Not guilty of Purple Belford
• Union of Acari Park
• United Bangu
• United Father Miguel
• Union of the Governor's Island
• Academics of Vicar General

Saturday - 13/2

• Botafogo Samba Clube
• In Top of the Hour
• Engenho de Dentro Start
• Serrano Empire
• Stage of Sá
• Union of Maricá
• United Port of the Stone
• United of the Bridge

Calendar Special Group Shows

Sunday-15/2

• Niterói academics
• Empress Leopoldinense
• Portela
• First Station of Hose

Monday - 16/2

• Independent Youth of Father Miguel
• Kiss-Flor of Nilópolis
• United of the Vidour
• United Tijuca

Tuesday - 17/2

• Paradise of Tuiuti
• United States of Vila Isabel
• Academics of the Great Rio
• Willow Academics

Service

Working days: 20, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31/01 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20,
and 21/02

Location: Beach of Copacabana – Rua República do Peru (height of Posto 3)

Social Networks: @liesa rj