Riotur opens the Original Carnaval 2026 Festival

The time has come to get carried away by the vibrant energy of Rio's Carnaval! Riotur launches the Original Folião competition 2026, who every year elects who best personifies the unique essence of Carioca folia. The traditional competition that rewards the best fantasies happens in days 15, 16 and 17 February (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of Carnaval), Stage of Cinelandia, in the Center of Rio.

Adult prizes range from R $ 800 to R $ 2,800, valuing creativity, animation and the true carnival spirit.

Registrations are free and can be made at the site of the event, of the 12:00 to 3:00, on the dates of the contest, in the Stage of Cineland. The regulation can be requested by email doper.riotur@prefectura.rio and Riotur website.

Six categories of costumes

Interested parties will be able to sign up for one of the six categories:

• Individual Infant/Youth;
• Adult Individual;
• Fantasy Group Category Originality;
• Clown category costume group;
• Clóvis Group Shadow Category;
• Clóvis Group Bexiga Category

Applicants will be evaluated in the questions Animation, Creativity and Spirit Carnival.

Children and adults may participate, provided that they come to the Judiciary Committee duly dressed and have the registration form completed. The presentation of candidates without fantasy or animals shall be prohibited.

Each category will have only one step, always from the 16 h, in the Stage of Cineland, with the following programming:

Day 15/02/2026 (Sunday):
Individual Category Infant/Young and Adult Individual Category

Day 16/02/2026 (Monday Carnaval):
Fantasy Group Category Originality and Clown Category

Day 17/02/2026 (Carnaval Tuesday):
Clóvis Group Shadow Category and Bexiga Category

The Original Folião Contest is an invitation to celebrate the irreverence, creativity and joy that make the Carnaval of Rio a unique spectacle in the world. Prepare your costume, gather your class and come show your glow in Cineland, no clima do Rio, at the pace of Carnaval!

Service:

Original Folião competition 2026
Location: Stage of Cinelandia – Centro do Rio de Janeiro
Dates: 15, 16 and 17 February 2026
Opening hours: from 16h
Registration: face-to-face, at the venue of the event, from 12h to 15h, on the days of the contest
Participation: free
Categories: Individual Infant/Young; Adult Individual; Fantasy Group – Originality; Fantasy Group – Clown; Clown Group – Shadow; Clóvis Group – Bexiga
Award (adult category): from R $ 800 to R $ 2,800
Performance: Riotur
Information and regulation: doper.riotur@prefeitura.rio