Blocos are the traditional neighborhood street processions organized throughout Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
A bloco is a community-based Carnival group that parades through public streets, usually with musicians, singing, dancing, and a distinctive theme or identity. Blocos range from small local groups to enormous events that attract large crowds. They are one of the most visible parts of Rio Carnival outside the Sambadrome.
The word is the plural of bloco, meaning block or group in Portuguese. Blocos differ from samba schools because they generally do not follow the same formal judged parade structure, although many have strong musical traditions and carefully developed costumes or themes.
Rio Carnival includes many kinds of street groups, including historic cordões and modern blocos. Cordão do Bola Preta is an example of a famous street-Carnival organization, while the samba schools represent a separate competitive parade tradition.