It's Carnival weekend in Rio, and the city is packed with kid-friendly bailinhos and street-party fun! We've filtered the best options for Saturday, February 14th, and Sunday, February 15th, 2026. Don't miss the free workshops at Museu do Pontal or the energetic Bloquinho at Uptown. Grab the glitter and get ready to celebrate!
See our top picks
Pontal Museum Carnival Activities
Museu do Pontal
Free, cultural Carnival fun with workshops and parades in Barra da Tijuca.
Vogue Square Air-Conditioned Children's Ball
Vogue Square Convention Center
An indoor, air-conditioned ball with workshops and live music.
Pontal Museum Family Carnival
Museu do Pontal
Dedicated morning sessions for babies and toddlers (6 months to 3 years old).
· February 14
10FREE : The Pontal Museum has a fantastic free program for Carnival. On Saturday, catch mask-making workshops, musical guided visits, and even a children's parade. Perfect for a morning or afternoon of cultural fun.It offers specific cultural engagement like mask workshops and parades, totally free of charge.
MET CARNIVAL KIDDIE BALLFREE : Head to the Metropolitano Barra parking lot for a free, lively afternoon party! The Bandinha Hiperativos will play, plus there will be games and lots of confetti flying.It’s a dedicated, large-scale free street-style party happening early Saturday afternoon.
PARK FOLIA CARNIVAL EVENT : This event runs through Monday, but Saturday is a great day to catch the live band, games, and costume parade happening at the ParkJacarepaguá hall.It’s one of the few ticketed, dedicated Carnival spaces listed, suggesting a structured party environment.
: Escape the heat or sun at Rio's famous aquarium, which is hosting special Carnival recreation sessions on Saturday afternoon, plus ongoing mask workshops.Combines essential Rio sightseeing with temporary, high-value themed activities.
CAMPO GRANDE PARK CARNIVAL WORKSHOP: MASKS : The Park Shopping Campo Grande has scheduled craft workshops on Saturday afternoon, focusing on making Carnival masks. Stay for the bloquinho parade at 5 PM!Focuses on a specific craft (mask making) aligned with the holiday on Saturday afternoon.
UPTOWN CARNIVAL BLOQUINHO PARTYFREE : Head to Uptown for a long afternoon/evening party featuring samba, *marchinha*, and *axé* music, plus the Eletrizando animation group to keep the energy high.This event offers the longest duration of fun, running into the evening on Saturday.
VOGUE SQUARE AIR-CONDITIONED CHILDREN'S BALLFREE : If you need a break from the heat, this free ball at Vogue Square is held in a covered, air-conditioned space, featuring a live band and creative workshops.The air-conditioned venue is a massive selling point for parents managing younger kids during peak summer heat.
BARRA GARDEN FAMILY CARNIVAL PARTYFREE : A free Carnival party held at Barra Garden on Saturday afternoon focused on colors, music, and joy for the whole family.A simple, free, and family-focused party listed for Saturday.
SHOPPING RIO 2 KIDS BALLFREE : Shopping Rio 2 is hosting their special Kids Ball on Saturday evening. It’s free to attend and runs for four hours.It’s a specific, named kids' event happening during prime Saturday evening hours.
FREE : The MET mall starts its carnival celebrations Saturday afternoon with the Bandinha Hiperativos, games, and confetti. This is listed separately from the free 'Bailinho' in the main parking lot.This event is listed separately from the main parking lot event, suggesting a different or supplementary performance inside the mall complex on Saturday.
· February 15
7FREE : Continue the fun on Sunday with more free activities. Highlights include the 'Bebês no Museu do Pontal' session in the morning and the 'Bailinho do Quintal Mágico' in the afternoon.It’s a great free option for Sunday, specifically programming for the youngest carnival attendees.
METROPOLITANO BARRA FOOD COURT BLOQUINHOFREE : The Metropolitano mall hosts a smaller, free 'bloquinho' on Sunday afternoon in the food court featuring the bandinha Lekolé. Great for a relaxed, free Sunday evening session.It's a continuation of the MET party but located inside the mall, offering a different vibe on Sunday.
: Sunday at the aquarium features recreation time starting at 11 AM, plus ongoing creative workshops. A perfect way to cool down while celebrating the holiday.Slightly different recreation timing on Sunday compared to Saturday, allowing parents flexibility.
CAMPO GRANDE PARK CARNIVAL WORKSHOP: RATTLES : On Sunday, the crafting focus shifts to making rattles (chocalhos) in the afternoon, followed by the daily 5 PM bloquinho parade.Great Sunday afternoon craft activity before joining the mini-parade.
FREE : Catch an early start to Carnival on Sunday morning at Rio Design Barra! This free event features a *marchinha* band and a performance by the Aprendizes do Salgueiro junior samba school.The inclusion of a junior samba school performance is a unique, high-quality cultural highlight.
: A classic Carnival ball inside the historic Fluminense club! Enjoy the Roni e as Figurinhas band and a costume parade. Tickets are discounted online in advance.Offers a ticketed, secure environment inside a famous football club, which is a unique local experience.
: Another great option for Sunday afternoon is the paid ball at the Tijuca Tennis Club, which includes a costume contest. Children aged 2 and up require a ticket.A traditional club setting for a Sunday afternoon ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Rio de Janeiro this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 14-15) there are many free options! Check out the structured Carnival activities at Museu do Pontal (Barra da Tijuca), the afternoon party at Bailinho de Carnaval do MET on Saturday, and the extended Bloquinho at Uptown.
Where can I find an indoor Carnival party if it rains?
The best indoor, air-conditioned option is the Bailinho Vogue at Vogue Square, running from 2 PM to 7 PM both Saturday and Sunday. AquaRio also offers themed activities included with general admission.
Are there any costume parades this weekend?
Yes! ParkJacarepaguá hosts a costume parade as part of their 'Park Folia' event starting Saturday. Also, the Fluminense FC Ball on Sunday features a children's costume parade.
