Carnaval Austin is coming soon. February 25, 2017. Carnaval in Austin is one of the biggest Brazilian carnaval celebrations outside Brazil – samba, costumes and wild abandon – Brasileiro style in the heart of Texas.

What’s it like?

Hailed as Austin’s wildest party, CARNAVAL BRASILEIRO is the city’s annual Brazilian style Mardi Gras celebration. Begun in the early 1970s to soothe homesick Brazilian students, CARNAVAL has grown into a local institution attracting over 5000 partygoers from all over the United States. The flamboyant sometimes risque, costumes, the driving Brazilian samba, and the uninhibited, spirited atmosphere have earned CARNAVAL its reputation as one of the best and biggest such festivities outside Brazil.

What do i get for my 40 bucks?

You get admission to the best, wildest, craziest party you could ever want to attend. Two live Brazilian bands provide non-stop dance music…come in comfortable shoes, and be ready to dance for 5 hours straight! And be ready to see some outlandish costumes, and probably lots of skin!

Where is it held?

Our new home is the Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Road. It is just in front of where the old City Coliseum was located. It’s right off South First between Riverside and Barton Springs. This is a non-smoking facility.

What about parking?

The Palmer Center has an adjacent garage, the fee is $8. There are 600 additional parking spaces available ($8) at One Texas Center in the garage on the SE corner of S. First and Barton Springs, a walk of about a block and a half. If you have a car full of folks, you can drop them off at the front door of the center as outlined above, park the car and then only one or two will have to walk; great if it’s raining or snowing.

What are the hours?

Doors open at 8pm, music starts at 9pm and ends about 1:45 a.m. WE WILL HAVE A COAT CHECK.

Are cameras allowed?

Cameras and camcorders are more than welcome.

What kind of music will there be?

Hard driving SAMBA! with lots of drums…
Dandara Odara from Salvador Bahia, Brasil will be headling. Dandara will be the most electrifying, dynamic performer to ever take the stage at Carnaval. She’s been called the Tina Turner of Brasil, and when you see her perform, you will understand why. Also playing: Austin’s escola de samba Academicos da Opera featuring 150 drummers and dancers.

Do I have to wear a costume?

No, you do not have to wear a costume, but a costume does help you get into the spirit of the event. Nonetheless, probably 30-40 percent of the party-goers come without a costume. Once there, you may decide you want to do something more festive with your appearance, we will have face painters on hand to help decorate the parts of your body you choose to expose!

What kind of costume do I wear?

You can wear any kind of costume you want… use your imagination. It is like Halloween without the emphasis on witches and hobgoblins: clowns, Carmen Mirandas, glamour, pseudo-celebs and cross dressing are traditional! But the main thing is: have fun! One way Brazilians increase their enjoyment is by gathering a group together, either from a neighborhood or any other affiliation, and costume identically, or at least thematically-this is called a bloco, and we highly encourage this kind of communal spirit.

Will face and body painters be available?

There will be several painters at the event doing various forms of painting. The are independent contractors and charge a modest fee for the service.

Will there be drinks?

Cash bars will be scattered throughout the ballroom, as well as in a foyer where one can have a drink and decompress a bit. The bars will offer about any drink you want. By the way, bringing in your own alcoholic beverages is strictly taboo.

What about food?

No substantial food, but snacky things will be available! People come here to dance and let loose, not eat!

Smoking?

Palmer Events Center is a non-smoking venue.

Is there an age minimum?

No. Anyone of any age is welcome. Of course you must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages, and that law is strictly enforced. And though we will let children in, an arbitrary guideline is that kids under 10-12 may find the crowd a bit overwhelming…if your child is mature enough, bring ’em on in. (Obs: We don’t offer a children’s price. Sorry.)

How do we get tickets?

Tix are on sale now. Carnaval sells out quickly every year, so early ticket purchase is advised. Tickets will be available after about December 28 at Lucy In Disguise, Nelo’s Cycles and Waterloo Records (tickets at these locations are cash only), or by logging onto: Carnaval Tickets.

Will tickets be available at the door?

Maybe. They will be cash only.