Copacabana brings Sapucaí to the beach for free

Sapucaí hits Copacabana with live big screens and free shows—Alcione and Jorge Aragão lead Rio Capital do Carnaval during Rio Carnaval 2026.No Sambadrome ticket? You can still feel the parade night. Copacabana Beach turns into an open arena with large screens streaming the floats and drums in real time.

What Rio Capital do Carnaval is

Rio Capital do Carnaval is designed to make Carnival more accessible. While schools perform on the Sapucaí runway, the shoreline crowd watches together, surrounded by samba circles, classes, and immersive cultural activities.Programming ramps up on Friday (Feb 13) from \(5pm\), with workshops on parade crafts, bateria, and choreographed wings, plus a samba-steps class. A samba circle by Terreiro de Crioulo closes the opening night.On Saturday (Feb 14), the arena hosts Cacique de Ramos and a special show on the SESC RJ stage: Jorge Aragão joins Gilsons and Os Garotin for a cross-generational set.

Live parades and results day

Sunday (Feb 15) marks the start of Grupo Especial parades on the big screen, streamed live from the Sambadrome to the sand. The night also features samba circles with Casuarina.Monday (Feb 16) repeats the format with Awurê, and Tuesday (Feb 17) with Samba do Sacramento. On Ash Wednesday (Feb 18), gates open at \(2pm\) for the official scoring—then the celebration continues with a show by Alcione and Samba da Volta.

Schedule (highlights)

Feb 13 (Fri), \(5pm\)–\(10pm\): DJ Cris Panttoja; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; Terreiro de Crioulo samba circleFeb 14 (Sat), \(2pm\)–\(10pm\): DJ Cris Panttoja; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; Mini Bateria SUPERBET; Jorge Aragão with Gilsons and Os Garotin; Cacique de Ramos samba circleFeb 15 (Sun), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Nicolle Neumann; Casuarina samba circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcastFeb 16 (Mon), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Cris Panttoja; Awurê samba circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcastFeb 17 (Tue), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Nicolle Neumann; Samba do Sacramento circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcastFeb 18 (Wed), \(2pm\)–\(10pm\): DJ Cris Panttoja; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live results broadcast; Alcione; Samba da Volta circle

Service info

Rio Capital do Carnaval Fan FestCopacabana Beach, Rio de JaneiroJan 20 to Feb 21, 2026Free admissionEntry requires prior facial registration in the Rio Carnaval appMore info: Instagram @riocapitaldocarnavalPresented by: Rio Capital do CarnavalMaster sponsors: Enel and SuperbetOfficial beer: BrahmaInstitutional partner: SESC RJOfficial delivery: 99FoodSupport: Marriott Bonvoy, Dr. Consulta and CeraVeCreated by: Escritor and FantasmariaProduced by: SRCOMProduced in partnership with: LIESAHost state and city: Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Rio City HallPhoto: Publicity