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 circle
Feb 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 circle
Feb 15 (Sun), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Nicolle Neumann; Casuarina samba circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcast
Feb 16 (Mon), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Cris Panttoja; Awurê samba circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcast
Feb 17 (Tue), \(5pm\)–\(4am\): DJ Nicolle Neumann; Samba do Sacramento circles; O Corpo do Samba // Ala das Passistas; live Grupo Especial parade broadcast
Feb 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 Fest
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Jan 20 to Feb 21, 2026
Free admission
Entry requires prior facial registration in the Rio Carnaval app
More info: Instagram @riocapitaldocarnaval
Presented by: Rio Capital do Carnaval
Master sponsors: Enel and Superbet
Official beer: Brahma
Institutional partner: SESC RJ
Official delivery: 99Food
Support: Marriott Bonvoy, Dr. Consulta and CeraVe
Created by: Escritor and Fantasmaria
Produced by: SRCOM
Produced in partnership with: LIESA
Host state and city: Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Rio City Hall
Photo: Publicity
