In Uruguaiana, Brazil, one of the country's largest off-season carnival events is transforming the city into a vibrant carnival atmosphere reminiscent of the famed Sapucaí parade. This year's celebration features prominent musicians from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, including Mestre Ciça, who has recently gained recognition for his work with Unidos da Viradouro, the champion of the 2026 Rio Carnival. The event is part of the city's official calendar celebrating 180 years of its establishment. The carnival festivities extend until Saturday, with all participating samba schools returning for a second parade before the results are announced on Sunday.

The preparations for this carnival have involved over 400 professionals working since early February to set up the Avenida for the festivities, highlighting the massive scale of the event. Organizers expect more than 55,000 attendees over the course of three nights, showing the significant public interest and community investment in the celebration. This influx of visitors not only contributes to local festivity but also enhances the economic prospects for Uruguaiana over the course of the event.

A study conducted by the State Tourism Secretary in partnership with the Uruguaiana City Hall emphasizes the economic impact of the carnival, highlighting how events like this play a vital role in boosting the local economy throughout the year. This carnival is not just a celebration of culture and music, but also a key player in Uruguaiana's economic landscape, contributing to tourism and local business revenue during the festive period.