The 2025 Rio de Janeiro Samba School parades kicked off on February 28, 2025, with the Série Ouro schools taking center stage at the iconic Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí. This year marks the first time all tickets for both nights of the Série Ouro have sold out, majorly eleveting enthusiasm surrounding the event.
The parades began with unexpected delays, starting 46 minutes late due to overcrowding outside the venue. President of the Liga-RJ, Hugo Júnior, noted, “The Liga values punctuality, but it was necessary to delay the start as Sector 5 was completely halted, creating a queue. We proceeded after it normalized to respect the fans who came to enjoy the spectacle.”
On the first night, the parade kicked off with the debut of the Botafogo Samba Clube and showcased eight different schools competing for glory and hoping to secure their place among the elite. The Botafogo Samba Clube, founded by passionate fans of the Botafogo Football Club, presented its theme “Uma Gloriosa História em Preto e Branco,” which celebrates the club's rich history.
Other participating schools included Arranco do Engenho de Dentro, known for their emotional themes, and the older and established Unidos da Ponte, who faced some hardships this year. Unidos da Ponte, along with Unidos de Bangu and Império Serrano, suffered losses due to a fire at their costume factory, impacting their performance this year.
The themes of the night ranged from historical reflections to contemporary environmental issues. For example, the Arranco's presentation highlighted the sacred role of motherhood through its theme “Mães que alimentam o sagrado,” devised by renowned carnavalesca Annik Salmon. Meanwhile, the veteran Unidos da Ponte examined the Anthropocene and humanity's relationship with the Earth, presenting an insightful perspective relevant to today’s issues.
Following the first evening’s presentations, the Série Ouro is set to continue with another night of performances on March 1, 2025. The school lineup for the second night includes favorites like Estácio de Sá and União de Maricá, aiming to capture the judges' attention with their engaging narratives and stunning visuals.
The overall atmosphere at the Sambódromo is electric, with excitement heightening as crowds pour in to support their favorite samba schools. Organizers are ensuring all safety measures are duly followed, including regulations on what attendees can bring, such as prohibiting glass bottles and requiring parental supervision for minors.
This year’s Carnaval festivities also feature themes focused on Black culture and prominent personalities, indicating the social commitment embedded within the samba tradition. Notably, many of the parades will pay homage to figures and stories reflective of Black history, making the celebration not just one of joy and revelry but also of significant cultural awareness.
Despite the delays and challenges experienced during the opening night, the excitement is palpable as the parades aim to offer unrivaled entertainment over the following days, culminating in the children's school parades and the champions’ parade scheduled for March 7 and 8, 2025.
Incidents related to mismanagement or technical difficulties, such as the malfunctioning of floats during the Botafogo Samba Clube’s performance, provide room for improvement and highlight the importance of experience and preparation as schools seek to optimize their chances of rising to the Special Group next year. The Samba School participants are well aware of the stakes this year, as the competition remains fierce.
With spectators expected to reach approximately 120,000 each day, samba aficionados are settling for the much-anticipated evenings filled with colorful costumes, vibrant music, and passionate dance performances, all contributing to the rich cultural fabric of Rio's Carnaval celebrations.
The 2025 Carnaval emerges not just as another year of parades but as an opportunity for schools to tell their stories, embody their historical significance, and showcase the resilience of the Brazilian spirit. With collaborative efforts, samba schools like Botafogo Samba Clube, Arranco do Engenho de Dentro, and Unidos da Ponte are not just competing for trophies but also for their place within the legacy of samba and its place within Brazilian heritage.