The Portuguese term for a street party or parade group in Rio de Janeiro Carnival is bloco.
A bloco is a community-based Carnival organization that gathers people for an open-air celebration, often with musicians, percussionists, singers, and a planned route through city streets. Blocons can attract small neighborhood crowds or enormous numbers of participants.
Street blocos are distinct from the samba schools that compete in the Sambadrome. Samba schools stage formally judged productions with floats and large organized sections, while blocos generally emphasize public participation, dancing, and the shared atmosphere of a street celebration.
The word is often translated as “street band” or “street party,” but no single English translation covers every bloco. Some are traditional and neighborhood-based; others are newer groups built around particular musical styles, themes, or communities.