Rio, I Love You”: Cordão da Bola Preta Officially Opens Rio’s 2025 Street Carnival on the City’s Anniversary

“Rio, I Love You”: Cordão da Bola Preta Officially Opens Rio’s 2025 Street Carnival on the City’s Anniversary

106th Parade Draws 500,000 Revelers to Celebrate Rio’s 460th Anniversary

The Cordão da Bola Preta officially kicked off the 2025 Street Carnival this Saturday (March 1), marking the 106th parade of the traditional bloco as part of the celebrations for Rio de Janeiro’s 460th anniversary. Under the theme “Rio, I Love You”, the historic procession attracted around 500,000 revelers to Rua Primeiro de Março, in downtown Rio, with a soundtrack of classic Carnival marchinhas, iconic samba-enredo songs, and Brazilian popular music (MPB) with fresh arrangements.

Bloco president Pedro Ernesto Marinho summed up the significance of Bola Preta, stating:

“Our bloco is Rio de Janeiro. Without Bola Preta, there is no Carnival.”

Alongside the traditional band, a star-studded court joined the four-hour parade. Highlights included the bloco’s queen, actress Paolla Oliveira, standard-bearer Leandra Leal, and the band’s muse, singer and actress Emanuelle Araújo, who even performed for the crowd.

“I’m very emotional. It’s always special when the bloco’s parade coincides with the city’s anniversary. It’s not the first time since I’ve been here, but it’s always beautiful. This is a bloco I love, one I’ve known and joined since childhood, and I feel honored to be here again,” said Leandra Leal.

Dressed in the iconic white outfit with black polka dots, 70-year-old Angela de Moraes said she had lost count of how many times she had celebrated Carnival with Cordão da Bola Preta. Amid the sea of people, the resident of Cavalcanti, a neighborhood in Rio’s North Zone, shared that she had been part of the bloco since childhood.

“I was born here at Bola Preta—this is the best bloco in Rio, and I come every year. As long as I’m alive, I’ll be here.”

Founded on December 31, 1918, Cordão da Bola Preta is the oldest active street bloco in Rio. For over a century, it has drawn revelers of all ages, dressed in outfits featuring the bloco’s signature black polka dots.

A Citywide Celebration

In addition to Bola Preta, a headliner in the Megablocos Circuit, Carnival morning featured parades all over the city. Among the highlights were Céu na Terra in Santa Teresa, Amigos da Onça in Flamengo, Terreirada in São Cristóvão, and Bloco do Barbas in Botafogo.

A total of 55 blocos took to the streets on the first official day of the 2025 Street Carnival. By Ash Wednesday (March 5), a total of 244 parades will have filled the city with festivities.