On Avenida Atlântica, Clube do Samba’s street bloco honors João Nogueira on Feb 17 for Rio Carnival 2026, with a free parade in Copacabana.
Led by Diogo Nogueira, the bloco returns to Rio’s streets to celebrate the legacy of João Nogueira, founder of Clube do Samba and a major voice in Brazilian samba. This year’s tribute carries extra meaning: 2026 marks the year João would have turned 85.
Clube do Samba bloco: classic songs, open-air energy
Free and open to the public, the parade brings together members of the Nogueira family, musicians, and special guests. The setlist focuses on traditional sambas that have crossed generations, keeping the atmosphere welcoming for families and for anyone who loves Carnival as a shared, street-level celebration.
At the same time, the concept stays true to the Clube do Samba ethos: samba close to the people, with the street as the stage and the crowd as part of the rhythm.
“O Bloco do Clube do Samba tem tudo a ver com o que o meu pai acreditava: samba na rua, perto das pessoas, de forma simples e verdadeira. Fazer esse desfile em um ano em que ele completaria 85 anos torna tudo ainda mais especial. É uma celebração da música, da cidade e do encontro com o público”, diz Diogo Nogueira.
Copacabana and the history of Rio’s street Carnival
The Bloco do Clube do Samba storyline mirrors the rise of Rio’s street Carnival. Created in the 1980s, it first paraded in Méier, then moved to Avenida Rio Branco, and later settled in Copacabana, where it became one of the city’s best-known samba traditions during Carnival.
As the bloco takes over the beachfront avenue, it also highlights the Clube do Samba as an institution. Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro, the Clube continues to bring different generations together around Brazilian music.
Ângela Nogueira, João Nogueira’s widow and the institution’s president, leads Clube do Samba today, carrying forward the original project and keeping it active as a year-round space for preservation, gathering, and celebration of samba.
Production, partners and sponsors
Clube do Samba is produced by the Nogueira family, Orin, and Grupo Prismah, with support from Arrematte Comunicação, Grenache Distribuição, and SoulRio Filmes. The bloco is sponsored through the City of Rio de Janeiro, via the Municipal Department of Culture, plus Rede Windsor Hotéis, FXX Soluções Integradas em Segurança e Serviços, and Unisys, under the Municipal Cultural Incentive Law. Rádio Globo is the official media partner.
“Para nós, é uma grande honra apoiar o bloco Clube do Samba, comandado pelo renomado cantor Diogo Nogueira, que, com certeza, voltará a reunir milhares de pessoas em plena praia de Copacabana durante o carnaval, uma das maiores festas populares do mundo. O apoio da Rede Windsor ao bloco e aos projetos Clube do Samba e Clubinho do Samba, por meio da Lei de Incentivo à Cultura (ISS), é mais uma iniciativa que reafirma o papel da Rede como incentivadora de projetos que conectam o público à cultura brasileira”, diz Vitor Almeida, gerente de Marketing da Rede Windsor.
Service
Service – Bloco do Clube do Samba
Date: February 17 (Tuesday)
Location: Avenida Atlântica – Copacabana
Meet-up point: near Rua Santa Clara
Meet-up time: 10:00 a.m.
Parade starts: 11:00 a.m.
Free event
Photo: Courtesy, SoulRio Filmes
