In 2026 the main parades of the Grupo Especial in Rio de Janeiro’s carnival are scheduled to take place on the nights of Sunday, 15 February; Monday, 16 February; and Tuesday, 17 February. After its introduction and success in 2025, the 12 schools will again parade over three nights. The order for the parades was decided on 12 April 2025 and will be:

Sunday, 15 February 2026

• Acadêmicos de Niterói
• Imperatriz Leopoldinense
• Portela
• Estação Primeira de Mangueira

Monday, 16 February 2026

• Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel
• Beija-Flor de Nilópolis
• Unidos do Viradouro
• Unidos da Tijuca

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

• Paraíso do Tuiuti
• Unidos de Vila Isabel
• Acadêmicos do Grande Rio
• Acadêmicos do Salgueiro