In his first Carnival off Beija-Flor’s sound truck, Neguinho da Beija-Flor hits key cities and returns to open the school’s Sapucaí parade as a guest.
Carnival 2026 opens a new chapter for Luiz Antônio Feliciano Neguinho da Beija-Flor Marcondes, 76. After five decades as the official lead singer of the Nilópolis powerhouse, he steps into the season from a different place: no longer holding the fixed role that defined an era, yet still front and center in Brazil’s most visible popular celebrations.
Neguinho’s Carnival 2026 schedule
The run starts even before the peak days. On Sunday, February 8, he appears as a guest at Samba de Caboclo, from 2 pm, at Quintal do Terreiro in Realengo, Rio de Janeiro. The booking highlights his connection to community samba gatherings, where tradition lives close to the crowd.
On Carnival Friday, February 13, he heads to São João del-Rei (Minas Gerais) as the main attraction of the city’s Carnaval Cultural. In 2026, the event proposes a throwback to “old-school” Carnival, putting traditional samba schools and classic street groups back in the spotlight.
More than a concert, the show ties into a celebration of local identity. With a special appearance by União da Ilha do Governador, the historic center becomes a meeting point for memory, joy, and diversity—reaffirming Carnival as a living expression of Brazilian culture and São João del-Rei’s own character.
Piraí and the symbolic return to Sapucaí
On Carnival Monday, February 16, the agenda turns even more emotional. Neguinho performs in Piraí (Rio de Janeiro state) and then returns to Marquês de Sapucaí for one of the most symbolic moments of his recent story: Beija-Flor’s parade opening.
Invited by the school, he opens the procession as a special guest alongside Anísio Abraão David. The gesture signals continuity, respect, and a tribute to a voice that helped shape the sound identity of Rio’s Carnival.
“It’s a reunion with the Avenue from a different perspective, guided by emotion, memory, and gratitude. It will be a chance to experience the parade in another way and watch Beija-Flor’s new generation write its own story,” says Neguinho.
Belém do Pará joins the route
The tour continues on Carnival Tuesday, February 17, when Belém do Pará comes into play. Neguinho performs in Acará, extending the journey beyond Rio and the Southeast and underscoring how far his repertoire and signature vocals travel across Brazil.
With this set of appearances, Carnival 2026 becomes a historic turning point: he leaves the fixed post after 50 years, yet keeps his spotlight—now as a celebrated guest in multiple cities and as the central figure in a symbolic return with Beija-Flor on the Avenue.
Photo: Divulgação
