Okay, it’s almost a year away, but now is the time to start making plans for the 2023 Rio Carnival.

Unless another pandemic happens (let's all pray it doesn't), carnival 2023 will be back in full force from 17th to 22nd February 2023 with the main parades on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th. Rio Carnival is one of the most popular parties in the world. It fills the streets with color, vibrancy, and excitement. The stunning and recently renovated Sambadrome on Marques de Sapucai Street is at the center of all the attention. The stadium, which can hold 70,000 people, hosts captivating parades by Rio's Samba Schools. These are the country's best talents who work all year to amaze the public with original dance and musical performances.

After the mayor has given the keys to the city to King Momo, the king will give a speech to announce the beginning of the celebrations and welcome the city's party spirit.

The schools compete for points and the title of champion

Every school has a large number of enthusiastic students, from the local community to celebrities around the world. This spectacle is an eye-opener for all senses thanks to its dazzling costumes, catchy floats, and traditional samba rhythms. The Winner's Parade is where the champion schools perform with all their music and costumes. This event is a special one that has all the excitement of carnival parades, but in a more relaxed setting. This event is also much more affordable than the main carnival, making it an attractive alternative for tourists. There are also extravagant carnival balls outside of the Sambadrome at many venues including Scala Rio Nightclub and Copacabana Palace. You can also make your way to one of the many street parties that are free. Here, drinking, dancing, and learning about the local culture are the order of each evening.

How to see the Rio Carnival 2023

Tickets to the Sambadrome are required if you want to be able to see the samba schools in action. They come in a variety of prices, with Grandstand tickets the most expensive in the uncovered grandstands. Sector 9's tourist section offers assigned seating, but it is made of concrete. You can choose the Back Stalls seating at the back of the uncovered grandstands if you're looking for a higher level. You can enjoy concrete flooring, but plastic seats are not available in the tourist industry. You can opt for the Frisas to provide more privacy. These boxes allow you to be closer to the action of samba. If you want to go all out, tickets can be purchased for Camarotes. These are private covered boxes that can hold up to 30 people.

While in town, you can also visit iconic landmarks like Mount Sugarloaf or the Christ statue.

Are you ready for Brazil?

Brazil is not only a wonderful country to visit as a tourist, it's also a great destination for immigration, offering, for example, Digital Nomad visas as one possible pathway into the country. Read on to learn how to live in Brazil as a Digital Nomad. Or you may be interested in different visa pathways such as for investors, entrepreneurs, or skilled migrants!

Jerry Nelson is an American writer living the expat life in Buenos Aires. Some of the adventures Jerry has enjoyed, he jumped into the ocean from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Aden, cut off a goat's balls as part of a mating ritual in Indonesia, raced a NASCAR around the oval in Charlotte, created a small coin purse out of live Tarantulas in Australia's outback, spent six-weeks with the Sinaloa cartel along the U.S./Mexican border and sailed a 16th century schooner through the sound and into the open ocean.

Never far from his coffee and Marlboros, Jerry is always glad to discuss future working opportunities. Email him at [email protected] and join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter.