Monobloco closes Rio Carnival with Preta Gil tribute

With the theme “Come in, our house is yours,” Monobloco parades on February 22 honoring Arlindo Cruz and Preta Gil, while launching a new album with Jorge Aragão.The bloco officially closes Rio de Janeiro’s street Carnival with a procession promising emotion at the Preta Gil Circuit. The repertoire features classics like “Taj Mahal,” “Fio Maravilha,” and “Explode Coração,” along with sambas by Arlindo Cruz (“O Show Tem Que Continuar” and “Samba de Arerê”) and hits by Preta Gil (“Só o Amor” and “Sinais de Fogo”).

New album with Jorge Aragão

Sambas from the new album “Mar de Aragão,” composed exclusively by Jorge Aragão, will be featured in the parade. It will be Monobloco’s first album of original songs since 2014.

At Carnival 2024, we had the privilege of receiving from Jorge Aragão the song ‘Toca esse tambor,’ made for Monobloco. From there, the idea of making an album together was born, a project that will be released at Carnival Pedro Luís, vocalist and founder of Monobloco

Special Front Commission

For the fifth consecutive year, the Front Commission opens the parade with more members and innovations. A special choreography for “Sinais de Fogo” by Preta Gil marks the opening. For the first time, the Front Commission will interact with the percussion section during the procession on Primeiro de Março Street.Celso Alvim, percussion master, defines the bloco’s proposal: “Monobloco’s parade is always a great journey through Brazilian music: there’s samba, pagode, forró, Bahian music, plus our original anthems ‘Arrastão da Alegria’ and ‘Funk do Monobloco’.”The Carnival 2026 t-shirt artwork was created by designer Ernani Cal from Estudio Nü-Dés, reinterpreting the bloco’s first shirt.

Service

26th Monobloco CarnivalDate: February 22, 2026 (Sunday)Location: Preta Gil Circuit – Primeiro de Março Street, Downtown, Rio de JaneiroGathering: 7 AMParade starts: 9 AMTheme: “Come in, our house is yours”Photo: Press Release