PARADING OPTIONS

Escola Carnaval offers four Rio Carnaval parade experiences, with the Sambista Ala and Passista immersion being the most popular and transformative for Samba dancers. Whatever package you choose, you'll get the full authentic experience - street rehearsals with your samba school, cultural immersion, and workshops with Rio's leading artists, all with support in English and Portuguese.

This experience is made possible by our strong relationships with the leaders and community of Carnaval.

SAMBISTA ALA

The priceless opportunity for international Samba dancers to experience parading in a Passista Ala style formation in Rio Carnaval. You parade with one of Rio’s most respected Samba schools in a dedicated Ala (section of the parade) in the Gold (Serie Ouro) division. We ensure that you arrive prepared and ready to make the most of this invaluable experience. Open to intermediate to advanced Samba dancers.

Dates
Arrive: Sunday 24 January 2027
Parade: Saturday 6 February 2027

What’s Included:

Parade position with the Gold (Serie Ouro) Division of Rio Carnaval.
Carnaval Parade costume (fantasia) and Samba heels.
Street rehearsal Uniforme (outfit).
Private Transport to and from the Sambodromo on the night that you parade.
Ensaio de rua (street rehearsal) in Rio (according to the Samba school’s schedule).
Private Transport to and from the Samba school’s Ensaio de Rua.
3 x exclusive workshops (dedicated to our group) with leading Instructors in Rio.
2 x cultural immersion days.
2 x Ala specific training sessions with Sashya and the team in Rio.
2 x Ala preparation sessions via Zoom prior to the tour.
Support team at ensaio de rua to hold your valuables and take videos.
Professional highlights video reel of the ala parading.
Official Escola Carnaval Tour merch.
Guide to Rio booklet
Portuguese language training booklet
Management of all Carnaval related tour logistics.
Clear and open communication and guidance leading up to and during the tour.
English translation for all tour-related activities.

Optional add ons

Pre-parade professional photos

Cost: $3000 AUD + GST

PASSISTA IMMERSION

An immersion for experienced Samba dancers. You arrive in Rio early, train intensively, rehearse alongside local Passistas, and discover what it truly means to earn your place parading in an official Passista ala in the Gold (Serie Ouro) division of Rio Carnaval. Dancers will be selected by the school’s by Passista director via video audition and spots are limited.

Dates

Arrive: 11 January 2027

Parade: 5 or 6 February 2027

What’s Included

Parade position in the official Ala das Passistas for one or two of our Samba schools in the Gold (Serie Ouro) division of Rio Carnaval.
Carnaval parade costume (fantasia).
Street rehearsal Uniforme (outfit).
Private Transport to and from the Sambodromo on the night that you parade.
Ensaios de rua (street rehearsals) in Rio (according to the Samba schools’ schedules).
12 x workshops (exclusive to our group) with leading Instructors in Rio.
2 x cultural immersion days
Support team at ensaio de rua to hold your valuables and take videos.
Official Escola Carnaval Tour merch.
Guide to Rio booklet
Portuguese language training booklet
Management of all Carnaval related tour logistics.
Clear and open communication and guidance leading up to and during the tour.
English translation for all tour related activities.

Cost: $3600 AUD + GST

Optional add ons

Ensaio tecnico (technical rehearsal) outfit.
Professional photos from the Carnaval parade.
Professional highlights video of the Carnaval parade
Add the Sambista Ala or another Passista position
- Make the most of your time in Rio and have the full Carnaval experience parading in multiple schools
- Cost: $5,600 AUD + GST

Audition information:

All auditions are by video, and will be a 45 second video of you dancing to a provided samba enredo in samba heels
Deadline for submissions 11.59pm 29 May 2027.
The videos will be sent to the directors of the Passista alas we work with. These Directors decide the final outcome of the audition, and this process will help ensure you feel confident and welcome in the Passista ala when you arrive.
Register your interest for all audition information.

FLOAT EXPERIENCE

Parade on a majestic float in the Gold (Serie Ouro) division of Rio Carnaval). An unforgettable experience and open to everyone.

Dates

Arrive: 3 February 2027

Parade: 5 or 6 February 2027

What’s Included

Carnaval Parade costume (fanatasia) for the float.
Private Transport to and from the Sambodromo on the night that you parade.
1 x preparation session via Zoom prior to the tour.
Guide to Rio booklet
Portuguese language training booklet
Management of all Carnaval related tour logistics.
Clear and open communication and guidance leading up to and during the tour.
English translation for all tour related activities.

Cost: $2100 +GST

MUSA

Musas are featured, highly visible positions in Carnaval and are best suited to professional Samba dancers. Previous experience in Rio Carnaval is ideal. Positions are confirmed by application only. Price on request. Please contact us directly to discuss.

PREPARATION

The tour doesn’t start when you land in Rio. It starts months before. You’ll arrive knowing the school song, understanding how the parade works, and feeling confident in your samba.

Pre-Carnaval Zoom Workshops

Dedicated Zoom workshops before the tour covering parade mechanics, what to expect, and getting your Samba Rio-ready.

Learn the Enredo

You’ll receive the samba enredo (parade song) for your escola before you leave. The community expects you to know it when you parade. We’ll help you learn it and understand it.

Language and Culture

A Portuguese language training booklet to help you communicate in Rio. You don’t need to be fluent but the basics we help you with make a huge difference to your experience.

Guide to Rio

A comprehensive guide covering safety, transport, accommodation tips, what to pack, and how to navigate the city during Carnaval will also be provided to you.

Train With Us

Join classes at Escola de Samba in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Denver. All studios follow the same syllabus and our instructors have trained and paraded professionally in Rio. If you’re not near a studio, our online platform gives you access to courses, drills and classes from anywhere in the world.