The CarnaUOL festival held on February 8, 2025, at the Allianz Parque in São Paulo has successfully captured the excitement and energy of Carnival with star-studded performances and enthusiastic fans. This year’s lineup featured renowned artists such as Tony Salles, Belo, Christina Aguilera, Ana Castela, and Claudia Leitte, each contributing their unique flair to the vibrant celebration.
Notably, Tony Salles kicked off the event, sharing his sentiments prior to stepping on stage. He expressed, "Todo show precisa deixar a gente com aquele friozinho, as borbulhas no estômago e é isso que nos move," highlighting the exhilarating mixture of nerves and passion artists need before performing. Salles explained how the preparation for this year's Carnival began back in December, saying, "A gente começa ali no finalzinho do ano..." His dedication to capturing the festive spirit was clear as he prepared to debut new music alongside his classic hits.
While Salles electrified the crowd, fellow performer Belo unleashed his own charm, inviting fellow artist Scheila Carvalho to dance with him. His show, alongside the anticipation for Christina Aguilera’s performance later, was one of the festival's highlights. Previously, Belo commented on the trials of being an artist, stating, "Todo artista tem altos e baixos," providing insight as to the emotional depths artists experience throughout their careers.
Fans, too, expressed their excitement, particularly for the performances of Ana Castela and Christina Aguilera. Mariana, who traveled from Campinas, shared her expectations, saying, "Eu espero muita animação. A Ana de Carnaval, que nem todo mundo conhece, é muito animada e vai botar a galera para dançar." This would mark her third time witnessing Castela live this year, showcasing the singer's significant following. Letícia Ferrari, another ardent fan, chimed in about their fan club, Sigilo Castela, which recently surpassed 8,000 followers. The excitement was palpable as they eagerly awaited the performance during Carnival—something special she noted, as Castela tends to revamp her setlist for the festive occasion: "Ela muda o repertório e o setlist fica ainda mais animado."
Among the fervent fans of Christina Aguilera, opinions ranged widely. Leonardo Reis immediately identified himself as part of Aguilera's fanbase, stating, "Eu vim pela Christina, com toda certeza. A voz da geração, né?" Meanwhile, others expressed hopes for classic hits such as "Your Body" to feature prominently as Aguilera took the stage at 21h45, bringing the day of festivities to its climactic conclusion.
No festival would be complete without mention of Claudia Leitte, scheduled to mesmerize attendees earlier with her performance starting at 13h05 alongside other artists. The festival was set to deliver over 10 hours of music, with hosts Otaviano Costa and Yas Fiorelo guiding audiences through the festivities and engaging with the celebrities attending the event as well.
Fans could choose to catch the excitement across multiple platforms, following live coverage via YouTube and the Canal UOL broadcast on television throughout the day. The production aimed to bring the energy of the festival directly to viewers at home, allowing them to be part of the festivities as closely as possible through extensive social media updates, photos, and videos—making it feel like they were right there on the field.
The sponsors of CarnaUOL 2025, including well-known brands like O Boticário, PagBank, and Cerveja Petra, played a key role in facilitating this grand celebration. Their involvement not only supported the event but also indicated the vibrant commercial ecosystem surrounding the cultural phenomenon of Carnival.
CarnaUOL 2025 proved itself more than just another music festival; it was a heartfelt homage to Carnival, showcasing the fruits of artists' labor and the joy of fans coming together. With performances from top-tier musicians and collaborations enhancing the overall experience, the festival firmly established itself as a highlight of the cultural calendar and left attendees and viewers eagerly anticipating next year's installments.