Rio de Janeiro Carnival highlights. The competition took place on March 3 and 4, 2019. The Special Group of the Samba Schools Parade always happen on Sunday and Monday which is before Tuesday of carnival (mobile holiday that occurs 47 days before Easter, and which this year it is on March 5). On both nights, the parade starts at 9 o'clock and ends at sunrise. ***** Melhores momentos do Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro. Los mejores momentos del Carnaval de Río de Janeiro.