Dogs & Owners Wear Costumes for Rio de Janeiro's Carnival Street Party

Rio de Janeiro's Carnival is known for its extravagant parades, lively samba music, and colorful costumes, but one of the most unique and heartwarming events is the Blocao—a Carnival street party made just for dogs and their owners. Held in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, Blocao is a beloved tradition that brings together people and their pets for a fun and safe Carnival experience.

This year, around 100 dogs joined the celebration, wearing costumes ranging from superheroes and clowns to cartoon characters. Alongside their owners, the dogs paraded to samba music, enjoying the lively atmosphere in a pet-friendly environment. Approximately 300 people attended the event, which has become a popular gathering for local pet lovers.

The area is home to the Carmelites Convent, which explains many of the participants dressed as nuns and priests.

Priscila dos Santos Silva, a 42-year-old nurse, attended with her Chihuahua, Sol, who was dressed as a doll. "It’s great to see pets and families having fun together," Priscila said. "It’s a lot of joy, and it’s such a unique way to experience Carnival."

This year, organizers took extra precautions to ensure the comfort of the dogs. With temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F), they set up hydration stations and moved the usual parade route to a shaded area to protect the dogs' paws from the hot pavement. Antonio Marinho, a 71-year-old attendee, shared, "We won’t walk on the hot pavement because it’s too hot. We’ll stay under the shade to keep the pets comfortable."

Blocao has been celebrated for over 20 years and has become a highlight of Rio’s Carnival season. The name Blocao comes from the combination of "bloco" (a Carnival street party) and "cao" (dog in Portuguese). The event is one of the few that continued during the COVID-19 pandemic when most street parties were prohibited, finding creative ways to bring people and pets together even during challenging times.