There are so many options for the streets groups, or blocos de rua in the Rio-de-Janeiro Carnival 2008, that we decided to select the top ones.

This is a very personal pick, reflecting the editor´s opinion, of course. The main attributes for the ratings were: location ( easy to find ), popularity ( based on word of mouth ), age ( average ), fun ( hello! this is one of the most important qualities), tradtion (how long it has been around), and beauty of its participants ( after all, we are in Rio-de-Janeiro and this is a fun city by nature.




Here it goes:

2/1/2008 - Friday February 1st


"Carmelitas" : 5 pm - Rua Dias de Barros - Neighborhood : Santa Teresa

"Vem ni mim que eu sou Facinha" - 5 pm - R. Prudente de Moraes, - Ipanema

Brazil; birthplace of Samba and its present home!


"Concentra mas não sai" - 8 pm - Rua Ipiranga
Neighborhood : Laranjeiras






2/2/2008 - Saturday - February 2nd

"Cordão da Bola Preta": 9 am - Municipal Theatre Neighborhood: Centro


Street Bloco Name : "Banda de Ipanema" : 3 pm - Praça Gal. Osório and Teixeira de Melo Ipanema District

Street Bloco Name : "Carioca da Gema" : 4 pm - Rua do Lavradio : Lapa



Street Bloco Name : "Laranjada Samba Club" : 5 pm - Praça do Chorinho, R. General Glicério
Neighborhood: Laranjeiras


2/03/2008 - Sunday - February 3rd


>Street Bloco Name : "Banda de Ipanema" - Banho de Mar à Fantasia do Arpoador até o Posto 9 from 10 am to 4 pm


: "Cordão do Boitatá" 8 am - Rua do Mercado and Praça XV
Neighborhood:Center, Rio-de-Janeiro


"Simpatia é Quase Amor", 4 pm - Praça General Osório Neighborhood: Ipanema, Rio-de-Janeiro

"Cachorro Cansado" : 4pm - Bar Planalto, Rua Barão do Flamengo, 35 Flamengo District





2/04/2008 - Monday - February 4th


"Songoro Cosongo" : 11 AM - Curvelo Santa Teresa


"Volta, Alice" : 3 PM - Tasca do Edgar, corner with rua Alice c/ Mario Portela Neighborhood: Laranjeiras

"Cacique de Ramos" : 8 PM - Av. Rio Branco with Presidente Vargas - Neighborhood: Centro, Rio-de-Janeiro


2/05/2008 - Fat Tuesday - February 5th


"Banda de Ipanema" : 3 pm - Praça Gal. Osório com R. Teixeira de Melo - Neighborhood:Ipanema, Rio-de-Janeiro

"Bloco da Ansiedade " : 4 PM - Mercadinho São José Neighborhood: Laranjeiras

"Vem ni mim que eu sou Facinha" : 5 pm - R. Prudente de Moraes, Ipanema Neighborhood



Street Bloco Name : "Carmelitas" : Santa Teresa




2/07/2008 - Thursday - February 7th


"Voltar pra quê ? " : 8 pm - Rua Álvaro Alvim, Cinelândia. At the famous “Beco da Cirrose”
Neighborhood: Center, Rio-de-Janeiro


2/08/2008 - Friday - February 8th


"Só Tamborins" : 9 PM - Travessa Mosqueria, corner with Mem de Sá Lapa Distric


2/09/2008 - Saturday - February 9th


"Bafafá" : 5 pm - Posto 9
Ipanema Neighborhood:



2/10/2008 - Sunday - February 10th

Street Group Name: "Monobloco" : 9 AM - Hotel Sofitel, Posto 6, Av. Atlântica Copacabana District


Street Group Name: "Boka de Espuma" : 3 Pm - Rua Marquês de Olinda between Muniz Barreto and Bambina Neighborhood: Botafogo, Rio-de-Janeiro


So, have you decided upon which street party group / bloco to go? Make sure you wear comfortable clothes!