Every June, the streets of Helsinki come alive with the sounds of samba. The Helsinki Samba Carnaval is presented by the Finnish Samba School Association as part of their annual samba championship, and the local samba schools put on their best performances in true Rio style.
Much like the Rio Carnival, each samba school perfects their dance routines and performances, which are set to the rhythms of Brazilian-style samba music. Colourful and often sparkling costumes and floats line the streets of the capital city, starting at the Senate Square in front of the Helsinki Cathedral.
This year, the fun begins on Friday, 7 June with a combination of free events for kids in the daytime and exciting shows in the evening for adults. From 11:30, there will be samba and capoeira classes for children at Annantalo.
Older children can participate in Forró, between 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at Kamppi Center. For the adults, the pre-party ‘Noite das Fantasias’ (Night of Fantasies) starts at 10 p.m. at the Apollo Live Club.
(Image: Maritta Jones/ Discover Helsinki)
On Saturday, 8 June the show begins at Senate Square at 10 a.m with Lavagem do Bomfim, followed by other stage performances.
The parade gets going at 3 p.m., and the procession will make its way from the Square down along Unioninkatu and Aleksanterinkatu until Mikonkatu.
At the end of the day, partygoers head back to the Apollo Live Club at 10 p.m for Baile do Carnaval, the post-parade party.
The age limit for advance tickets is 18 years, but at the door admission to those 24 years and over only.
Information about tickets can be found here: https://www.tiketti.fi/helsinki-samba-carnaval-2019-apollo-live-club-helsinki-tickets/61088
Schedule:
Jun 7th, 2019:
10:30 Forró 4older @ Kamppi (FREE)
11:30 Samba & Capoeira 4kids @ Annantalo (FREE)
22:00 Noite das Fantasias @ Apollo Live Club (16,50€ /K-18 advance /K-24 door)
Jun 8th, 2019:
10:00 Lavagem + other program @ Senate Square (FREE)
15:00 Parades @ streets, starting from Senate Square (FREE)
22:00 Baile do Carnaval @ Apollo Live Club (16,50€ /K-18 advance /K-24 door)