1 st Day: is the first official Carnival day. Banda de Ipanema concentrates at Praça General Osório at 4 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., the official luxury costume contest happens at Hotel Glória. At night you have a selection of fabulous balls to choose from. For glamour and sophistication, the natural choice is the Gala Ball at legendary Copacabana Palace Hotel. Luxury costumes or black tie are required, and a number of international and local VIP's are always among the guests. Not far, at clubs like Help in Copacabana or Scala in Leblon you will find hotter balls (those where you only leave alone if you want to). X-Demente Party are a good bet for clubbers, gays and lesbians (dance music sets the pace, not samba). There is a street band competition downtown, on Av. Rio Branco, starting at 8 p.m (free). Access group samba schools take over the Sambodrome from 7 p.m. onwards, trying to climb their way up to the special group.

2 nd Day: is your first chance to watch the Special Group Schools march at Rio 's Sambodrome. The show starts at 7 p.m., and ends around 6 a.m. Try to secure a seat in a good sector . You have a choice of runway seats and boxes (cadeira de pista, frisa), bleachers (arquibancada), and mezzanine boxes (camarote). Outside the Sambodrome, or enjoy the shows at Terreirão do Samba, on Av. Presidente Vargas ($5). There are also events in the historical district of Lapa (Rio Folia), balls at Cinelândia, and many other locations - including Praça da Paz in Ipanema.

3 rd Day : is the second day that Special Group Schools go out. A new assortment of 7 schools takes over the Sambodrome. Get a good night's sleep, as the show lasts over 10 hours! Some Cariocas march with as many as 7 or 8 schools. You do not have to go that far, but stepping on the Sambodrome asphalt is such a unique experience that you should at least give it a try. If you are on a budget, stay outside to take photos of costumes and floats, go to the popular balls, or watch the shows at Terreirão do Samba ($5).

 4 th Day : the so-called Mardi-Gras, is another day full of activities. In the afternoon, Banda de Ipanema goes out for the last time. And at night you have a host of balls to choose from. Gala Gay at Scala should be a lot of fun. The most exotic collection of characters in the world take the two floors, and a grand entrance is de rigueur - the ball is broadcast to the whole country! The winner of the Samba Parade is elected on Wednesday, and if you stay in town for a few more days, you have a chance to watch the Winners Parade on Saturday, March.