Recife and Olinda Carnival Previews: Paulinho da Viola and More

Carnival fever is rising in Recife and Olinda with previews featuring Paulinho da Viola, Dany Myler, and the Águas de Oxalá ceremony. Here is the schedule.

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Quick Summary

1Carnival previews are intensifying in Recife and Olinda ahead of the festival scheduled for February 14 to 18.
2This weekend features several major events, including the Baile da Macuca with a show by Paulinho da Viola in Recife.
3In Olinda, highlights include the Tô a Toa block with singer Dany Myler and the Menino da Tarde party.
4The 48th edition of the Águas de Oxalá ceremony will take place on Sunday to honor founder Tata Raminho de Oxóssi, featuring a traditional washing of the steps at the Igreja do Bonfim and a paper rain instead of fireworks.

Quick Summary

Carnival preparations are underway in Recife and Olinda with a series of previews scheduled for the weekend of January 10 and 11. The festivities are building momentum for the main carnival dates, which fall between February 14 and 18 this year.

Key events include the Baile da Macuca featuring a performance by Paulinho da Viola in the Bairro do Recife. In Olinda, the Tô a Toa block will host a party at the Clube Vassourinhas with singer Dany Myler, while the Menino da Tarde block also holds its preview at the same venue. The 48th Águas de Oxalá ceremony is set for Sunday, honoring the late founder Tata Raminho de Oxóssi with a theme of inclusion and a paper rain. The Arrastão do Frevo will also take place, organized by the Lenhadores de Olinda club.

Major Previews in Recife

The Baile da Macuca is one of the highlights of the weekend in Recife. The preview of the block Boi da Macuca will be commanded by the renowned artist Paulinho da Viola. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 10, starting at 18:00. The location is the Bairro do Recife, next to the Ponte Giratória.

Paulinho da Viola will share the stage with several musical acts. The lineup includes the bateria da Portela, Bayana System, and the Orquestra Maestro Oséas. Tickets for the event start at R$ 195 and are available for sale online.

Olinda Street Blocks and Parties

Olinda is hosting a variety of street blocks and parties this weekend. On Saturday, January 10, the Troça Carnavalesca Mista O Majestoso will concentrate at 15:00 and depart at 16:30 on Rua 27 de Janeiro. The Pitombinha (a children's preview of Pitombeira dos Quatro Cantos) starts at 16:00 in front of the block's headquarters. The "Entra em beco sai em beco" block concentrates at 17:00 at Praça de São Pedro.

On Sunday, January 11, Pitombeira dos Quatro Cantos concentrates at 14:00. Other blocks scheduled for Sunday include Sombatuki at 15:00, Bateria Cabulosa at 15:00, and Sambadeiras at 16:00.

The Tô a Toa block will hold its preview on Saturday at the Clube Vassourinhas de Olinda. The event features the Orquestra do Maestro Oséas, shows by Dany Myler, and the group Mistura Samba. A procession will follow the presentations to Largo do Guadalupe. Tickets cost R$ 150.

The Menino da Tarde block will hold its preview on Sunday at the same venue, the Clube Vassourinhas de Olinda. The event includes shows by Dany Myler and Excesso de Bagagem. Tickets start at R$ 30.

Ceremonies and Frevo Parades

The 48th edition of Águas de Oxalá is scheduled for Sunday, January 11. The ceremony honors the block's founder, Tata Raminho de Oxóssi, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 88. The theme for this year is "Inclusão, fé e ancestralidade" (Inclusion, faith, and ancestry). The event will be conducted by Pai Jorge de Bessem and includes the traditional washing of the steps at the Igreja do Bonfim and a procession through the streets of the Olinda Historic Site.

In respect for animals and people with hearing sensitivity, the ceremony will not feature fireworks. Instead, there will be a rain of white and silver paper. The event is free and starts concentration at 15:00, with the procession departing at 17:00.

The first edition of the Arrastão do Frevo for 2026 will take place on Sunday, organized by the Clube Carnavalesco Misto Lenhadores de Olinda. The parade will move from the Paço do Frevo to Marco Zero, accompanied by the Orquestra do Maestro Babá. The event starts at 15:30 and is free to the public.