The festivities begin on the Friday before carnival when the mayor symbolically hands over to the King of Carnival (Rei Momo) the key to the city.

RIO FOLIA AND DANCES IN CINELÂNDIA
     Rio carnaval has been known as a nursery for novelties, rhythms and styles. It always has pleasant surprises for the public that goes towards the Arcos da Lapa, where Rio Folia presents shows of music ranging from traditional Brazilian music to the new trends that come up every year.
In Cinelândia, the open-air party lasts for five days to the sound of acclaimed orchestras and singers, symbols of carnival music, reviving thus the carnival balls of the past.

POPULAR DANCES
     From Saturday to Tuesday, open-air dances take place throughout the city. The emphasis is on joy and spontaneity.

OFFICIAL COSTUME COMPETITION
     Sumptuous or original costumes are elements of a theatrical performance in the halls of Hotel Glória, on the afternoon of the Saturday of carnival. The huge and dazzling costumes represent historical characters or different concepts, according to the imagination of the gentlemen, ladies and of drag queens that participate in the event.

ORIGINAL REVELER CONTEST
     An instantaneous stage for street carnival, this is the contest for the anonymous artist and the enthusiastic reveler with their fantastic costumes. The prizes go to the best Group,Clóvis, Adult and Junior Individual. The party closing the contest takes place in Cinelândia.

BANDSTAND COMPETITION
     The competition takes place throughout the city with the direct participation of inhabitants of the different districts, who are responsible for the decoration and liveliness of the bandstands. The prizes take into consideration creativity, colors, lightening and enthusiasm.

BLOCOS DE EMBALO, BANDS AND STREET GROUPS
     It is the heart of carnaval, which beats on Av. Rio Branco, in the Center of town, that presents from Saturday to Tuesday the greatest variety of blocos de Embalo e Empolgação, and it is where the merry-making is at its wildest with traditional groups such as Cordão da Bola Preta, Cacique de Ramos, Bafo da Onça, to mention just a few. A visit in the end of the afternoon is always entertaining.In the districts, specially in the zona sul districts of Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and Botafogo, the bands and street groups anticipate their carnival in the pre-carnival rehearsals. All you have to do is to turn up and join, you can also buy the respective T-shirt and start dancing before the group takes to the streets.

CARNAVAL DANCES
     The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel is the high point of the Saturday. Scala nightclub promotes thematic dances every night and closes the festivities with the Gala Gay ball. Other nighclubs and clubs, such as Clube dos Caiçara, Scala and the Hard Rock Café’s Kid’s Folia organize animated costume balls for adults and children.