Rio’s Megablocos Kick Off on Preta Gil Circuit With Packed Crowds and Tight Security

Overview

• Chá da Alice on January 24 and Bloco da Lexa on January 25 opened the Circuito Preta Gil in Rio’s Centro, launching the city’s megabloco season.
• Chá da Alice brought an Alice in Wonderland theme to Rua Primeiro de Março and featured Mexican singer Christian Chávez making his street‑megabloco debut.
• Lexa returned to her megabloco after a year away, drawing an estimated 50,000 people and opening her set with a tribute to Preta Gil before welcoming guests including Naldo Benny.
• Security forces mobilized 1,410 police with observation towers, aerial monitoring by helicopter and drones using facial recognition, and 23 screening points; 49 sharp objects were seized at Chá da Alice and 82 prohibited sharp and glass items were confiscated over the weekend.
• Riotur lists about 462 blocos through February 22, with city services maintaining traffic controls, extended transit, medical posts, and expanded sanitation as the calendar advances to Léo Santana’s Bloco da Gold on January 31 and Ivete Sangalo’s SeráQAbre on February 1.