Ouro Preto Carnival, Brazil
Nairobi Carnival, Kenya
Bahian Carnival, Brazil
Content of this article
What is the Carnival of Ouro Preto?
The Ouro Preto Carnival is a large college carnival-style celebration held in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Minas Gerais is known for its lively traditions and festivities, so it is not surprising that the Carnival of Ouro Preto is a celebration like no other. The Ouro Preto Carnival party stands out for being organized by the Student Republics of Ouro Preto, students of the Federal University of Ouro Preto or UFOP. Repúblicas are literally houses that students rent and maintain by themselves, these function similar to a fraternity. Today, the carnivals count around300 republicas.
The Carnival of Ouro Preto is considered one of the best carnivals in Brazil and at the same time, it is also the Biggest University Carnival in the country. This carnival is a wild celebration where you will have guaranteed animation with the various Blocos, characteristic of a true Brazilian carnival party.
The celebration is considered like no other and features entertainment of the best level in Brazil. However, these carnivals are not for people looking for a quiet party, as it takes the true college spirit to transport it to the carnival celebrations. For these carnivals expect fun to the limit, alcoholic drinks everywhere and of course, the best entertainment from start to finish.
Ouro Preto Carnival is a University Carnival Celebration
.
When is the Carnival of Ouro Preto?
Carnival is a celebration that usually takes place before Christian Lent. The dates tend to change regularly, each year counting on a different date, but it is always between the month of February and March.
The Ouro Preto carnival will be held from approximately February 12 to 16.
History of the Ouro Preto Carnivals
.
Carnival was brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers, who have been celebrating carnival since the 15th century. At that time Brazil was a Portuguese colony and according to some historians and authors, theisland of Madeira was a vital connection for the passage of goods and people, influencing the carnival traditions of Brazil with the traditions and expressions typical of Madeira..
By the end of the 18th century, carnival was already being celebrated throughout the territory; however, many considered carnival to be a dirty and violent party. Celebrations at that time consisted of jokes and folguedos, annual popular festivities, which varied according to location and the social groups involved. Once the Portuguese court was transferred in 1808 to the city of Rio de Janeiro, the process of civilization of Brazilian carnivals began through the importation of Parisian masquerades. This caused popular and street celebrations to be censored and under heavy police control.
Carnival has become one of the main festivals in Brazil, occupying a prominent place among various layers of the population and the media. In addition, it has also consolidated itself as an identity expression for the entire population. Today, the Brazilian carnival has become a global icon that has expanded to various parts of the world and at the same time, thousands of tourists come to the main cities of the country to be part of the festivities.
The Carnival of the city of Ouro Preto began to take place in the 19th century and is mainly made up of students. Ouro Preto is known to the large number of university students in the area, who live in places called Republics. During carnival, the Repúblicas are completely full of students and many visitors come from all over the country and the region.
Where is the Ouro Preto Carnival?
.
The carnivals are held in the city of Ouro Preto, a former mining city and former capital of the state of Minas Gerais..
Ouro Preto has been listed as a World Heritage Site and has a total area of 1,245 square kilometers where about 70 thousand people live.
The Carnival of Ouro Preto is a great event of music and fun
How is the Ouro Preto Carnival celebrated?
.
The city warmly welcomes both Brazilian and foreign residents to be part of the incredible carnival party. The city has more than 300 student republics with a lot of history and tradition, some of them with centuries of formation. The Republics have been organizing parties for several decades, including anniversary parties where they see former students with families.
The Republics organize for carnival-themed parties with a well-defined structure, including the characteristic blocos that perform during the evening. The largest blocos count with a participation of up to 8,000 people and some of these blocos date back to the 19th century.
The Republics begin the Carnival festivities on Friday night, the rest of the days there are themed parties in the afternoon and evening. In addition, to celebrate the university carnival you can opt for complete packages including accommodation, food, theme parties and shows with blocos.
Street Carnival
.
Although the carnivals feature a central spectacle where everyone meets to celebrate in style and drink incredible amounts of alcohol, the city also has several sites in the city for collective recreation. During the carnival dates, you can find some local bands, musicians and vocalists performing in the streets, as well as some blocos performing and playing music.
If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:
Blocks
.
The blocos of the Ouro Preto Carnival are different from other carnivals around the country. The blocos in the city began as small groups that performed in the streets; however, they grew so large and began to congregate a large number of people. As a result, the blocos began to perform in closed venues, putting on a big show that attracts up to 8,000 people per performance. Over time, the event became professionalized, so the performances include the sale of tickets, services, clothing and free drinks.
At the Ouro Preto Carnival there are 3 stellar blocos that steal the show every year and congregate the largest number of people: Bloco Cabrobró, Bloco da Praia and the Bloco Chapado.
Tips to go to the Ouro Preto Carnivals
.
If you decide to participate in the Ouro Preto University Carnival, we recommend planning your trip in advance, making an itinerary of activities and booking your preferred accommodation in advance. Also, don’t forget to pack a comfortable top so you can fully enjoy your carnival.
Due to the physical activity and the consumption of alcoholic beverages, your body can dehydrate quickly, so we recommend you to stay hydrated. In addition, the carnival is celebrated in the hottest months of the country, use sunscreen at all times and stay in the shade to avoid burns.
In addition, in order to be part of the carnival festivities, you must purchase a ticket. Here are some important details that you should take into account when making your purchase.
The ticket sale has 4 stages or lots: Private sales and first, second and third lot.
Type of Tickets
.
Private sales
.
These are held from April of the previous year and are the lowest priced tickets; however, they are almost completely limited to friends and relatives of the blocos, as they are the first to purchase them. Therefore, they are offered to a privileged group. No need to be sad, you still have 3 more stages where you can purchase your tickets during the rest of the year.
First Lot
.
The sale of the first lot begins in October and is when the blocos begin to announce the details of their presentations and some elements present at the parties. This lot has a small increase in the sale price.
Second Lot
.
The second batch begins in January and features a slightly higher price.
Third Lot
.
They happen during the last stage and are much more expensive than the first ones. In addition, you count on a reduction of services because these are exhausted extremely fast, as well as the accommodation.
We recommend purchasing tickets as soon as possible, as they sell out fast. The longer you wait, it is likely that you will not be able to count on certain services and packages offered by the organization. In addition, the included accommodation is sold out, so you would have to resort to other private options.
The organization gives you the opportunity to pay for the tickets in parts, so you don’t have to worry if you want to access the exclusive services, but you don’t have all the money at your disposal.
What are your best options
?
The Ouro Preto Carnival adapts to the needs of each, since the services you will receive will depend on whether your way of partying or your purposes in the carnival.
Hosting
.
The organization offers you some lodging services that you can select depending on your comfort zone or how you want to enjoy the festivities.
Level 1: shared rooms with mattress.
Level 2: Private room with bed.
Level 3: Hotel, hostel or inn.
If your priority is comfort, you will prefer level 3; however, if your goal is a total experience or you have a tight budget, your best option is level 1 or 2. In options 1 and 2 you have the possibility of meeting several people within the republic, you can make friends and party surrounded by new friends.
Type of entertainment and services
.
Blocos
.
After choosing the type of accommodation, you must choose the type of ticket for the blocos presentations.
The organization offers you a complete package that will give you access to all the blocos from Friday night to Tuesday night. However, you can also modify the package and only access the blocos you prefer.
Location
.
Once you have chosen the blocos you want to attend, you only have to choose the location within the venue where the blocos will perform. All areas have open bar, but some spaces have additional services or are closer to the stage.
Track
.
It is the part in front of the stage where you can jump and party freely. During the event, they will throw beer and water at you with hoses. Despite being the simplest, it’s the most fun.
Cabin
.
It is somewhat more exclusive and has more drinks and some additional services. In addition, the bathrooms are much more accessible in this area.
Sides
.
This is the most exclusive space at the event and features much more food and drink.
Everyone congregates at the Ouro Preto Carnival to be part of the festivities
.
Events at the Ouro Preto Carnival
The Ouro Preta Carnival has a lot of entertainment that never stops. The partying is constant at the carnivals and occurs late at night until the morning of the last day. Each day has a daytime evening show. In addition, there is an open bar regardless of the type of service you have purchased.
Friday, February 12
.
Themed party with open bar
.
Time: 11 p.m.
Saturday, February 13
.
Traditional Party with open bar
Time: 2 pm.
Themed party with open bar
Time: 11 p.m.
Sunday, February 14
.
Presentation of Bloco da Cabrobó with open bar
.
Time: 2 p.m.
Themed party with open bar
Time: 11 p.m.
Monday, February 15
.
Presentation of Bloco da Praia with open bar
.
Time: 2 p.m.
Themed party with open bar
Time: 11 p.m.
Tuesday 15 February
Presentation of Bloco Chapado with open bar
Time: 2 p.m.
Themed party with open bar
Time: 11 p.m.
Open bar
.
The event’s open bar features Tequila José Cuervo, tequila, beer, Catuaba, flavored drinks, corote, cachaça mineira, vodka, juice, soft drinks and energy drinks.
In addition, surprise drinks such as ICE, Skol Beats and Curaçau are offered during the Parties.
The Blocos are the main attraction of Ouro Preto Carnival
.
What to eat at the Ouro Preto Carnival
?
The food of Minas Gerais is known for its quality and diversity of dishes. In addition, the city of Ouro Preto also has a wide variety of traditional dishes that you can’t miss. The dishes you can try here range from traditional food from the slavery era to street food that has been constantly evolving and integrating elements indigenous to the city.
One of the dishes you can try is the bambá de couve. Bambá de couve is a somewhat thick soup made with corn flour, kale, some spices for flavor and pieces of meat. In slavery times, it is said that the slaves used the remaining corn flour and mixed it with pieces of meat that were usually given to them and added cabbage or kale.
The Bambá de couve is one of the classic dishes of Ouro Preto
.
One of the sweets of the city that you can try during your visit is Goiabada cascão. This is a consistent sweet, with a texture similar to flan and is made with lots of guavas and sugar. The sweet can be accompanied with slices of cheese. In addition, you can also find them in supermarkets already prepared.
In addition, the city of Ouro Preto offers a large number of restaurants, bars and cafes that you can visit during carnivals to learn more about the local and regional food. Some of the most popular places are: Bené da Flauta, Restaurante Chafariz, Escadabaixo Bar Cozinha, Tropea Cantina Armazem and Restaurant Casa Do Ouvidor.
The Goiabada cascão is a traditional sweet from Ouro Preto
.
Travel Insurance
From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurance. Read more information about all insurance offers here:
What to see and do inside the Ouro Preto Carnival
?
Once you find yourself inside theCarnival in Ouro Preto, you have the opportunity to attend the events that occur every day. Every day there are daytime and nighttime events. Regarding the daytime events, you have some traditional parties or traditional carnivals and presentations of the blocos. During the night you have several themed parties that you should not miss. Depending on the type of service you purchased, you can have access to various drinks and meals, but remember that there is an open bar for all tickets.
The city also hosts some performances, so we recommend touring the city so you don’t miss these events and have a full carnival experience in the city.
If you don’t want to get complicated, here you can book interesting tours in Spanish in this city:.
What to see and do outside the Ouro Preto Carnivals
.
Museu da Inconfidência
.
It is a historical and artistic museum that is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Inconfidência Mineira. The museum opened in 1944 and has works by Manuel da Costa Ataíde and Alejadinho. It also has a library of thousands of volumes and documented material on the historical events of the region.
Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Pilar
.
It is a colonial church that has a large collection of gold pieces, paintings and statues. The church was built between 1703 and 1704 and is currently part of the Historical Monuments of Brazil.
Casa dos Contos
.
It is a museum built in 1974 in baroque style. The purpose of the museum is to preserve the history and promote the national culture. Inside is a collection of ancient coins and several pieces of local art.
Safety at the Ouro Preto Carnival
.
The city of Ouro Preto is relatively safe; however, we recommend that you remain aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings in a safe place. Also, contact the city authorities if you are able to identify any suspicious activity.
The event offers 24-hour security at all event venues. When you are part of the celebration, you are given a bracelet that allows you to enter and exit the venue.
Also, we recommend the following products to store your items safely:
Weather at the Ouro Preto Carnival
During carnivals, the city of Ouro Preto has a significantly warm climate, as carnivals are held in the hottest months of the country. During the celebration the average temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius, so we recommend you to stay hydrated, wear light clothing and apply sunscreen as often as your skin needs it.
The Ouro Preto Carnival counts mainly on students from the region
.
How to get to the Ouro Preto Carnival
.
How to get there by plane
.
The closest airport to the city of Ouro Preto is the Belo Horizonte-Pampulha Airport, which is located about 70 kilometers from the city. The airport receives mainly domestic flights from Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Campinas, Brasilia and Recife.
You also have the Tancredo Neves International Airport, which is a little further away, but has better international connectivity.
How to get there by bus
.
From the airport walk about 10 minutes to Avenida Presidente Antonio Carlos to take a bus line 5550 to Rua Bonfim 38. Once there, transfer and take a bus again to Ouro Preto.
How to get there by car
.
From the airport take the BR-356 road to the city center of Ouro Preto. The trip takes almost 2 hours.
If you take a cab, the taxi fare ranges from US$150 to US$180.
Where to stay in Ouro Preto Carnival
.
Hotel Recanto da Serra
.
3-star hotel 1.9 km from the city center. Rooms have TV and private bathroom with basic toiletries. The hotel has a garden, terrace, outdoor pool, parking and free wifi.
Grande Hotel de Ouro Preto
.
3-star hotel 200 meters from the city center. Rooms feature cable TV, minibar and private bathroom with basic toiletries. The hotel is close to several tourist attractions and the bus station. It also has a swimming pool, bar, restaurant, parking and free Wi-Fi.
Mirante Hotel
.
3 star hotel 1.1 km from the city center. Rooms have air conditioning, minibar, telephone and private bathroom with basic toiletries. The hotel is located near the Federal University of Ouro Preto. It also has a swimming pool, restaurant, parking and free wifi.
We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.
Thank you for reading
.
If you liked this article and found it useful share it on your social networks or collaborate by inviting us for a coffee at Paypal so we can continue creating useful content. Click here to collaborate:
