March 10, 2025

LATAM: To Rio Carnival and beyond!

Missed out on Rio Carnival 2025? No worries! Our partners at LATAM Airlines have amazing airfares to South America, just in time to start planning for Rio Carnival 2026.

The next Rio Carnival will take place from February 13th to 18th, 2026 – which is a bit different from this year’s dates. FUN FACT: Carnival always falls exactly 7 Sundays before Easter Sunday – hence the yearly date change.

What is Rio Carnival?

Great question! The main event is now a 3-day celebration (it used to be 2) held at the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí, where 12 samba schools compete in front of judges and a crowd from all over the world. They show off their unique costumes, props, singing, and dancing. Each samba school has to come up with something fresh every year, so no two Carnivals are ever the same! This is a ticketed event, so make sure to keep an eye on Ticketmaster Brazil for when tickets go on sale (usually in August).

The main event usually runs from around 8 p.m. until the early hours of the morning. During the day, you’ll likely find yourself at a Bloco – an organized street party that happens for weeks leading up to and during the main events. Expect live music, food and drink stalls, dancing, and lots of vibrant, sparkly outfits!

Want to experience Rio Carnival like a local? Try arriving a week or two before the main celebrations to catch the rehearsals. They happen every weekend for 6 weeks leading up to the event and are completely free! Since there’s no cost, the locals come out in full force to support their Samba Schools, giving you a much more authentic vibe compared to being surrounded by tourists. And don’t worry – the costumes and props are saved for the main event!

Sound like your kind of thing? Airfare Geeks can get you there! Thanks to amazing airfare deals from our partners at LATAM and our team’s 260+ years of combined travel experience, we’ll make your journey just as memorable as the destination. There’s no better way to get into the South American vibe than with LATAM’s food, drinks, service, and the unique atmosphere onboard!

PLEASE NOTE: As of the publication date of this blog, LATAM has only released fares through to January 31, 2026. While it’s still too early to lock in airfares for Rio Carnival 2026, now is the perfect time to start planning. If you’re heading to South America for any reason before then— From witnessing the incredible wildlife of the Galápagos Islands to skiing in the Andes of Argentina, exploring the icy landscapes of Antarctica, marvelling at the otherworldly salt flats of Bolivia, trekking through the Amazon Rainforest, or standing in awe before the towering peaks of Patagonia—South America is filled with unforgettable adventures waiting to be discovered.—we can help you now.

Check out some of these amazing multi-country, South American, business class airfares currently on sale with LATAM airlines.
Sydney – Santiago -Quito – Lima – Sydney =$5,281
Sydney – Santiago – Lima – La Paz – Sydney = $6,403
Sydney – Santiago – Rio De Janeiro – Lima – Sydney = $6,554
Melbourne – Santiago – Quito -Melbourne = $6,051

For more information about LATAM Airlines and examples of their incredible airfares, please visit their dedicated page on our website HERE or contact a Geek today on 1300 086 895 and let us bring your Samba dreams to fruition.