The São Paulo Carnival 2025 promises to be another spectacular showcase of Brazilian culture, with the annual samba parades set to light up the Anhembi Sambadrome starting on Friday, February 28. With 14 samba schools eagerly competing, this year's festivities highlight themes ranging from Afro-Brazilian culture to heartfelt tributes to beloved figures such as Cazuza. Televised coverage will be available on TV Globo and Globoplay.
Kicking off the spectacle, Colorado do Brás will be the first school to take the stage at 11:00 PM on February 28, presenting their theme centered around Afoxé Filhos de Gandhy, embodying the spirit of faith and community. This will be followed closely by Barroca Zona Sul, which is set to showcase its theme titled "The Nine Oruns of Iansã" starting at 12:05 AM, February 29.
Other schools set to dazzle the audience throughout the weekend lineup include Dragões da Real, whose theme "Life is a Dream Painted in Watercolor!" will be performed at 1:10 AM, and Mancha Verde, who will depict "Bahia, From Faith to Profane" at 2:15 AM. The frenetic pace continues with Acadêmicos do Tatuapé's poignant message on justice at 3:20 AM and Rosas de Ouro's dynamic performance themed "Roses of Gold in Greater Play" at 4:25 AM, culminating with Camisa Verde e Branco who will pay homage to Cazuza with their piece titled "Time Doesn’t Stop! Cazuza – The Poet Lives!" at 5:30 AM.
On Saturday night, the festivities will resume with festivities beginning at 10:30 PM with Águia de Ouro, showcasing their theme "Shredded Satin, Águia de Ouro the Way Life Wants". Império de Casa Verde follows at 11:35 PM with their literary-themed performance, followed by Mocidade Alegre at 12:40 AM, demonstrating the belief from their theme, "Who Can’t With Magic Doesn’t Carry Patuá". Gaviões da Fiel will take the stage at 1:45 AM with their theme "Irin Ajó Emi Ojisé", leading to Acadêmicos do Tucuruvi at 2:50 AM with their engaging storyline titled "The Quest for the Mantle."
Estrela do Terceiro Milênio will continue the high-energy celebrations at 3:55 AM with their theme "Much More Than the Rainbow – Remove the Prejudice from the Path That We Will Pass with Love," closing with Vai-Vai scheduled for 5:00 AM with their grand spectacle "The Devoured Shaman and the Bacchante's Swallowing of Who Dared to Dream Disorder."
The judging process for these dazzling displays of color and creativity will take place on March 4, 2025, commencing at 4 PM, with the results being broadcast live on TV Globo and Globoplay. Judges will score each performance on nine specific criteria, including Battery, Harmony, Evolution, Samba-enredo, Master of ceremonies and Flag bearer, Front commission, Allegory, Theme, and Fantasy, providing detailed insights on the performances' strengths.
Each criterion will be rated from 8.0 to 10 points, with four jurors evaluating, allowing for the lowest score to be discarded as part of the deliberation, only utilized for tiebreakers. Last year, the title was captured by Mocidade Alegre, and with 15 trophies under its belt,Vai-Vai remains the most celebrated school overall, setting high expectations for this year's contenders.
Following the results, the coveted champions' parades are set to take place on March 8, featuring the top five schools from the Special Group, along with the champions and runners-up from the Access II and Access I groups, promising another exhilarating showcase of samba excellence.
With the vibrant themes and electrifying performances scheduled, the São Paulo Carnival 2025 is shaping up to be not just a celebration of samba, but also of Brazilian culture and heritage.