If you are going to spend the holiday in the capital, it is good to know what is open and closed during Carnival in São Paulo. After all, the people of São Paulo do not live only for revelry, and you never know when you might need to go to the pharmacy, the supermarket, or your favorite bank branch.
Although Carnival is one of the most important holidays in Brazil, the date is not a nationalholiday, but rather an optional holiday. This means that companies are not legally obligated to give their employees the day off, leaving it up to each administration to decide.
However, for cultural reasons, most Brazilians do not work during Carnival. This means that many stores, agencies, or services will be closed for the festivities, and it is a good idea to check availability before leaving home.
So, check out what’s open and closed in São Paulo in the coming days and enjoy Carnival 2026 without any surprises.
Transportation
São Paulo Metro
The subway will have special hours during Carnival, with some lines operating 24 hours a day.
Lines 4-Yellow and 5-Lilac, for example, will have stations open for boarding until midnight, and for disembarking or transferring during the early hours of the morning.
Lines 1-Blue, 2-Green, 3-Red, and 15-Silver will operate without interruption from Friday to Monday of Carnival, February 13 to 16.
- Early Friday morning to Saturday (February 13 and 14): boarding at Portuguesa-Tietê and Palmeiras-Barra Funda stations. Other stations are open for disembarking only, with transfers between all subway lines.
- Early Saturday morning to Sunday (February 14 and 15): all stations open for boarding and disembarking;
- Early Sunday morning to Monday (February 15 and 16): boarding only at Portuguesa-Tietê and Palmeiras-Barra Funda stations; other stations are only open for disembarking or transfers.
There will also be increased security and additional subway staff.
CPTM
The Palmeiras-Barra Funda Station will remain open 24 hours a day during the special operation, while other CPTM stations will only operate for transfers or disembarking during the early hours of the morning.
The measure applies to the early hours of Friday to Saturday, Saturday to Sunday, and Sunday to Monday (13 to 16).
Cars
The Municipal Vehicle Rotation will be suspended between Carnival Monday and Ash Wednesday, from the 16th to the 18th. The rule applies only to cars, and cargo vehicles (such as trucks) must still follow the restrictions.
Buses
As usual, thanks to the Domingão Tarifa Zero program, São Paulo residents will be able to ride the bus for free on Carnival Sunday, the 15th.
During Carnival Saturday and Sunday, operations will be normal. On Carnival Monday, Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday, the fleet will operate at a reduced capacity, with operations equivalent to Saturdays.
In addition, there is good news for those who want to watch the samba school parades: there will be free buses leaving from the Portuguesa-Tietê and Palmeiras-Barra Funda stations to the Anhembi Sambadrome. The route starts at 6 pm and will have frequent departures according to demand.
Open Streets and Bike Lanes Program
The Minhocão will be exclusively for pedestrians on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday of Carnival (14th, 15th, and 17th). On Carnival Monday and Ash Wednesday (16th and 18th), it will be open to cars as usual.
Due to the traffic caused by the street parties, the Ruas Abertas (Open Streets) program on Paulista Avenue will not take place on Carnival Sunday and Tuesday (15 and 17). The same applies to the recreational bike lanes.
Services
Health
The UBSs (Basic Health Units) will be closed during Carnival, resuming activities at noon on Ash Wednesday.
Emergency rooms, UPAs, Outpatient Medical Assistance (AMAs), and Municipal Hospitalsoperate normally.
Banks
Although Carnival is not a national holiday, it functions as a bank holiday. Therefore, bank branches will be closed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
Some agencies resume operations on Ash Wednesday at noon. Others, however, are open until 3 p.m. and will open earlier to ensure longer service hours. Therefore, we recommend checking the opening hours of your preferred agency.
PIX transfers work normally, 24 hours a day. TEDs , on the other hand, will be suspended.
Post office
If you need to send a package, it’s good to know whether your nearest post office is open or closed during Carnival.
Due to the optional holiday, agencies close their doors on Monday and Tuesday of Carnival and resume activities only at noon on Ash Wednesday.
Leisure
Parks
São Paulo’s municipal parks are open as usual during Carnival, with weekend and holiday hours. The same goes for state parks, which also offer exclusive cultural programming.
The Zoo and Botanical Garden are also open during Carnival, with tickets at promotional prices.
It is worth mentioning that Ibirapura, the beloved park of São Paulo residents, will be offering free admission to its water park during Carnival 2026.
Museums
MASP welcomes visitors on Saturday, Sunday, Carnival Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday, the 14th, 15th, 17th, and 18th.
The Pinacoteca de São Paulo will be open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Carnival, and then on Ash Wednesday (14, 15, 16, and 18).
Similarly, the Ipiranga Museum will be open from Saturday to Tuesday during Carnival (14th to 17th). Finally, it is worth remembering that admission on Monday will be free, subject to ticket availability.