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Carnaval Royal Cut Competition 2026

Carnival • October 02, 2025

Everything you need to know about the Carnaval 2026 Royal Cut Contest!

By Mariana Novaes

Published on Updated on

3 min read

February is still far on the calendar, but you can already feel the climate of Carnaval in the air, thanks to the beginning of the Royal Court Contest of the Carnaval 2026!

February is still far on the calendar, but you can already feel the climate of Carnaval in the air, thanks to the beginning of the Royal Court Contest of the Carnaval 2026!

With the theme “Celebrating Ancestrality”Each night of the contest will be a tribute to great emblematic figures of the Rio Carnaval, such as Lygia Santos, Bira Presidente, Márcia Lage, Preta Gil, Maria Augusta, among other unforgettable personalities. In addition, the event will feature unmissable shows.

The event is free and will take place at Cidade do Samba Johnny Thirty (Rivadavia Corrêa Street, 60 – Holy Christ). And there's more news: throughout the competition, “Van Bora” will be present at Cidade do Samba offering vaccination and free testing. Action is an initiative of the Municipal Health Department (SMS) and will provide vaccines against Influenza, Double Adult (Diphtheria and Tetanus), Triple Viral, Yellow Fever, HPV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A, besides rapid tests for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Check out the official calendar of the Royal Cut Carnaval contest:

Day 09/10 – 1st night of qualifiers - Royal Traditional Court
Recipient: Lygia Santos Home: 19h Attractions: A Amô (19h10), Viradouro (20h35) and Rio Samba Show (23h25)

Day 10/10 – 2nd night of qualifiers - Royal Traditional Court
Recipient: Márcia Lage Start: 19h Attractions: Samba da Alvorada (19h05), Portela e Mocidade (20h30), Rio Samba Show (23h20) and Samba da Volta (23h50 and 0h35)

Day 16/10 – Semifinal - LGBT+ Royal Cut
Recipient: Maria Augusta Home: 19h Attractions: Sapagode (19h05), Grande Rio (20h30), Rio Samba Show (22h50) and Karoline Absinthe (23h20)

Day 17/10 – Semifinal – Royal Traditional Court
Recipient: Rosa Magalhães Home: 19h Attractions: Prose Girl Group (19h05), Salgueiro (20h30), Rio Samba Show (23h25) and Terreiro de Crioulo (23h55 and 0h40)

Day 23/10 – Final – Royal Cut LGBT+
Recipient: Black Gil Start: 19h Attractions: Samba That They Want (19h05), Empress Leopoldinense (20h30), Maime dos Brilhos (20h40), Karina Carão (22h50) and Sambay (23h55)

Day 24/10 – Final – Royal Traditional Cut
Honored: Arlindo Cruz, Bira Presidente and all others honored Start: 19h Attractions: Quintal da Magia (19h05), Beija-Flor (20h30) and Arlindinho (23h10)

Know a little more about each honored:

Lygia Santos

Photo: Play/Facebook
Writer, museologist and Brazilian researcher, was recognized as one of the most important black intellectuals in the country, dedicating her work to the history of samba. Photo: Play/Facebook

Marcia Lage

Renamada carnivalesca brasileira, worked in several samba schools and along with her husband Renato Lage, signed parades
Renamada carnivalesca brasileira, worked in various samba schools and along with her husband Renato Lage, signed memorable parades. He became known for his creativity and respect for popular culture. Photo: Mike Bleak/ Twelve Marketing

Maria Augusta

Scenographer, visual artist and carnival, she shone in schools and signed historical parades. Its light, colorful aesthetics and
Scenographer, visual artist and carnival, she shone in schools and signed historical parades. Its light, colorful and innovative aesthetics marked the season and opened wings for a new generation of carnival women. Photo: Monica Imbuzeiro/ Agency The GlobePhoto: Foto: Mônica Imbuzeiro/ Agência O Globo

Rose Magellan

The giant signed more than 40 parades, besides having idealized the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympics and having
The giant signed more than 40 parades, besides having idealized the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympics and having worked in the costumes of the opening of the 2007 Pan American games. Photo: Leo Martins / Agency The GlobePhoto: Foto: Leo Martins / Agencia O Globo

Black Gil

She lived surrounded by art and left her mark on music, Carnaval and the fight for inclusion. Be on the street, on the Avenue, in the trios
She lived surrounded by art and left her mark on music, Carnaval and the fight for inclusion. Whether on the street, on the Avenue, on the trios or on the stage, she mixed rhythms and brought much joy to the public. Photo: Alexandre Vital/RioturPhoto: Foto: Alexandre Loureiro/Riotur

Arlindo Cruz

Everything you need to know about the Carnaval 2026 Royal Cut Contest! — photo 7
Singer and composer, their songs are part of the soundtrack of our life. Recognizing his greatness is recognizing the space of identity, culture and love he created within his music. Photo: Elizangela Leite/Riotur

Bira President

Image of Everything you need to know about the Carnaval 2026 Royal Cut Contest!
Founder of the Branch Chief and one of the creators of the Quintal Fund group. It was essential to further strengthen samba as a Brazilian cultural identity. Photo: Alexandre Loureiro/RioturPhoto: Foto: Alexandre Loureiro/Riotur
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