They say that the Brazilian calendar only really begins after Carnival. If you can’t wait to join in the revelry, we’ve put together an itinerary of the main pre-Carnival 2026 blocos that will be rocking São Paulo over the next few days. It’s your chance to start warming up now!
This year, Carnival will fall on February 14-17. However, the party starts much earlier in the São Paulo capital, with bloquinhos boiling in the streets since January. We’ve prepared a diverse list, with options for all tastes. Write it down and prepare your agenda now.
Pre-Carnival Blocos 2026 in São Paulo
Confraria do Pasmado
The traditional Vila Madalena bloco kicks off Carnival with two open rehearsals full of original sambas. The mini-parade will be an opportunity to see the drums up close and try on your costume!
📅 10/01
🕓 Saturday, 3pm
🎫 Free of charge
📍 Espaço Coringa: Rua Luís Murat, 370 – Vila Madalena
📅 31/01
🕓 Saturday, 10pm
🎫 From R$180
📍 Casa Natura Musical: Rua Artur de Azevedo, 2134 – Pinheiros
Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta
One of the city’s best-known blocos is holding four rehearsal-shows this pre-Carnival, with Wilson Simoninha, the Banda do Baixo Augusta and special guests.
📅 11, 18, 25/01 e 01/02
🕓 Sundays, at 3pm
🎫 Free, with ticket pick-up on Mondays before the date via the official website
📍 Audio Pavilion: Rua Tagipuru, 927 – Barra Funda
MinhoQueens
In the run-up to Carnival 2026, the LGBT+ block that occupies Minhocão takes its energy to the Fabrique Club dance floor. The rehearsals take on the tone of a big ballad, with a set list that combines pop, funk and classic marchinas.
📅 16 e 25/01, 06/02
🕓 Main date: Friday 23h to 06h (16)
🎫 Free until 00:00 | After that, R$ 30
📍 Fabrique Club: Rua Barra Funda, 1071 – Barra Funda
Jamaican Carnival
If you’re looking for different Carnival blocks in São Paulo in 2026, you’ve found your place. After all, the Jamaican Carnival brings together blocks of ska, reggae and other Jamaican rhythms, such as Kaya na Gandaia, Jah É and Skaravana. There will also be a festival with DJs and lots of craft beer in a pet-friendly environment. A good alternative for those who like to dance, but don’t fancy following the trio elétrico through the streets.
📅 17/01
🕓 Saturday, from 16h to 00h
🎫 From R$40 (2nd lot) | Free for children under 14
🧒🏼 Under 18s only with a legal guardian
📍 Tarantino Cervejaria: Rua Miguel Nelson Bechara, 316 – Limão
Bloco do Silva
Bloco do Silva returns to São Paulo with a pre-Carnival festival, mixing axé, pop and romantic pagode. The 2026 edition also features big-name attractions such as Alcione and Pretinho da Serrinha, in a “summer ball” atmosphere.
📅 17/01
Saturday at 1pm
🎫 From R$125
📍 Memorial da América Latina: Avenida Mário de Andrade, 664 – Barra Funda
Monobloco rehearsals in SP
Monobloco brings the fervor of the streets to the stage, with full drums and a repertoire that combines marchinhas, funk, axé and Brazilian pop. The pre-Carnival rehearsals are a good way to enjoy the music in comfort and safety, with a bar available. In addition to the group from Rio, there will be opening acts to warm up the audience.
📅 17 and 31/01
🕓 Saturdays, 21h
🎫 From R$ 60
📍 Audio: Avenida Francisco Matarazzo, 694 – Água Branca
São Mateus Samba Cradle
The meeting celebrates the roots of São Paulo samba with a lot of ancestry, exalting the traditional rodas of São Mateus.
📅 17/01
Saturday, 8pm
🎫 From R$ 26
📍 Casa de Francisca: Rua Quintino Bocaiúva, 22 – Centro
Nação Zumbi
The band revisits its trajectory in a show that celebrates the strength of the Manguebeat movement. With an unmistakable mix of maracatu, rock and African influences, the presentation brings together classics and reinterpretations that highlight the percussion that has made the group a reference in the country.
📅 17/01
Saturday, 9pm
🎫 From R$ 84
📍 Rua Artur de Azevedo, 2134 – Pinheiros
Batekoo
This pre-Carnival in São Paulo exalts black culture and peripheral rhythms, with a focus on hip hop, funk and dancehall.
📅 17/01
🕓 Saturday, 11pm
🎫 From R$ 41
📍 Rua Comendador Nestor Pereira, 33 – Brás
Elis Regina tribute
Camila López presents an emotional tribute to “Pimentinha” in this pre-Carnival 2026. In the company of a band, the artist revisits classics such as “Como Nossos Pais” and “Romaria”, bringing new nuances to a repertoire that has marked generations.
📅 18/01
Sunday, 7pm
🎫 From R$ 70
📍 Avenida Paulista, 2073 – Consolação
Ilú Obá de Min Closing Show
The afro-feminine collective closes its 2025 theme with a show that mixes percussion, choral singing and stage performances. It’s the ideal option for those looking to celebrate Carnival 2026 in connection with Afro-Brazilian culture and strong political narratives.
📅 18/01
🕓 Sunday at 7pm
🎫 From R$ 80
📍 Casa Natura Musical: Rua Artur de Azevedo, 2134 – Pinheiros
Open Rehearsal: Charanga do França at Mundo Pensante
The wind and percussion instruments take over São Paulo for one night, providing an unmissable pre-Carnival in 2026. The group presents its unique style of jazz mixed with Brazilian rhythms, inviting everyone to dance!
📅 20/01
🕓 Tuesday, 9pm
🎫 From R$15
📍 Rua Treze de Maio, 830 – Bela Vista
Bloco Forrozin Pre-Carnival
Mariana Aydar leads this celebration of Northeastern music, paying homage to masters such as Dominguinhos and Geraldo Azevedo. The show crosses several rhythms, from xote to afoxé, bringing the energy of the street block to the stage.
📅 23/01
Friday, 8pm
🎫 From R$ 54
📍 Rua Artur de Azevedo, 2134 – Pinheiros
Meeting of Batuqueiros and Guests at Vila do Samba
Vila do Samba invites percussion lovers to experience this meeting that brings together great masters of the São Paulo scene. It’s your chance to immerse yourself in popular culture in the heart of São Paulo!
📅 23/01
🕓 Friday, 9pm
🎫 From R$ 30
📍 Vila do Samba: Rua João Rudge, 340 – Casa Verde
Bloco do Samba de Caboclo
Samba de Caboclo brings the power of batuque to the heart of São Paulo for its pre-Carnival 2026. With an axé repertoire, the event connects the public through traditional songs, transforming the space into an environment of dance and positive energy.
📅 24/01
Saturday, 2pm
🎫 From R$ 30
📍 Rua Tenente Rocha, 387 – Santana
Lets Block Open Rehearsal
Imagine a 30-piece band playing the best of world rock at Carnival pace. Lets Block is holding its first rehearsal of the year on a stage mounted on a truck, with food and an ideal time for those who prefer to get home early.
📅 24/01
🕓 Saturday, 3pm to 11pm
🎫 From R$20
📍 Rua Rui Barbosa, 168 – Bela Vista
Pirate Ship – BaianaSystem Ball
This pre-Carnival 2026, the BaianaSystem block presents Baile Pirataria for the first time in São Paulo, combining rhythms such as Bahian pagodão with electronic beats. There will be special guests such as Emicida and Luedji Luna.
📅 24/01
Saturday at 1pm
🎫 From R$200
📍 Memorial da América Latina: Avenida Mário de Andrade, 664, Barra Funda
Ritaleena Carnival Rehearsal
The bloco in tribute to Rita Lee opens its general rehearsal, offering national rock classics in a percussive format. The evening will be a warm-up for the parades, bringing together fans of the singer in a themed pre-Carnival full of references to the artist’s work.
📅 25/01
🕓 Sunday at 7pm
🎫 From R$ 80
📍 Casa Natura Musical: Rua Artur de Azevedo, 2134 – Pinheiros
Pleasing the Greeks
Finally, of course, São Paulo’s largest LGBTQIA+ bloco would not be left out of our pre-Carnival 2026 list. The group promotes a 14-hour warm-up with three simultaneous dance floors, drag queens and a show by singer Pocah . It’s a pre-Carnival that looks like a pop festival, with a club structure and a focus on electronic and funk music.
📅 31/01
🕓 Saturday, from 16h to 06h
🎫 From R$20
📍 High Club: Rua João Rudge, 115 – Casa Verde
