Carnival 2009 has been officially launched in Rio de Janeiro by an event called “parade draw”. With many schools deciding upon their samba-concept and samba-lyrics, the Rio de Janeiro 2009 Carnival parade schedule was settled by a draw at the Samba city. The draw is very important since it defines the schedule in which the samba schools parade at the Sambadrome, Sunday and Monday Carnival. Presidents of all samba schools that take part of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival elite represented their organizations in this happening.

Some of Rio ´s most important Carnival and tourism authorities were also present at the event, including Jorge Castanheira, carnival major league association “LIESA” president; Bruno Matos, director of events of Riotur; Aloysio Legey, Globo TV Network broadcasting director, and Rio de Janeiro State Representative Francisco de Carvalho (Chiquinho da Mangueira ) to name a few.



Above, beautiful poetic shot by Mary Ellen Aquino of carnival drums.

Parade Schedule for 2009 Rio de Janeiro Carnival was defined as follows:


Sunday Carnival – February 22nd, 2009


9:00 PM : Império Serrano Samba School</i>
10:00 PM : Grande Rio Samba School
11:10 PM : Vila Isabel Samba School
00:15 AM: Mocidade Independente Samba School
01:20 AM: Beija-Flor Samba School
02:25 AM: Unidos da Tijuca Samba School

Monday Carnival – February 23nd, 2009

9:00 PM : Porto da Pedra Samba School
10:00 PM : Salgueiro Samba School
11:10 PM : Imperatriz Leopoldinense Samba School
00:15 AM: Portela Samba School
01:20 AM: Mangueira Samba School
02:25 AM: Viradouro Samba School

The Samba Schools have a minimum of 65 minutes and maximum of 82 minutes of parading time at the Sambadrome. Stay tuned to Belavista Carnival Blog to access Brazilian Carnival news.


Belavista Brazil Carnivalis a non-commercial blog devoted to wonders of Rio de Janeiro, with a focus to the Brazilian Carnival. Our sole objective is to describe how Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is magically created, its artists, dancers and musicians that make up the world’s largest show. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns