A 65 million Brazilian Carnival

Carnival is a major driver of Brazil’s economy and tourism every year. According to estimates from the Ministry of Tourism and Embratur, the Brazilian tourism promotion agency, the national mobilization will reach more than 65 million revelers (foliões) in the streets this year, 22% more than in 2025. Just between Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, and Belo Horizonte, the festival will draw approximately 40 million participants.

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the most famous in the world.

This year’s projections are exceptional. The city hopes to inject more than R$5.7 billion (approximately USD 1 billion) into its local economy thanks to the activities of 462 blocos (street groups) and the traditional parades at the Sambadrome.

Authorities estimate that the festival, protected by law as part of Brazil’s cultural heritage, will attract eight million tourists, mostly Brazilian but also foreign.

This dynamism is reflected in a hotel infrastructure operating at nearly full capacity, with an occupancy rate of 98%.

International interest in the Rio Carnival is also showing an upward trend.

Purchases of airline tickets from abroad to Rio de Janeiro increased by 9% between February 13 and 18.

The main source countries were Chile, with a 41% increase in demand, followed by the United States (+11%) and Argentina (+8%).

Nationally, searches for international flights to Brazil increased by 21% compared to the previous year.

To strengthen this « showcase of Brazil abroad, » the federal government, through Embratur and the Ministry of Culture, allocated R$12 million (USD 2.3 million) to support the 12 samba schools of the Rio de Janeiro Special Group, distributed equitably.

Throughout Brazil, Carnival celebrations are financed through a collaboration between the public and private sectors.