The 2018 Rio de Janeiro Série A (Série Ouro) parades took place between February 9th and 10th, 2018, at the Marquês de Sapucaí, with exclusive broadcast on TV Globo. The schools in Série A in 2018 were, in order of presentation: Unidos de Bangu, Império da Tijuca, Acadêmicos do Sossego, Porto da Pedra, Renascer de Jacarepaguá, Estácio de Sá, Alegria da Zona Sul, Acadêmicos de Santa Cruz, Unidos do Viradouro, Acadêmicos da Rocinha, Acadêmicos do Cubango, Inocentes de Belford Roxo, and Unidos de Padre Miguel. The grand champion was Unidos do Viradouro, with the theme "Vira a cabeça, pira o coração – Loucos gênios da criação" (Turn your head, drive your heart crazy – Mad geniuses of creation). The other schools that occupied the top positions were Unidos de Padre Miguel, Porto da Pedra, Acadêmicos do Cubango, Estácio de Sá and Império da Tijuca, and the school relegated to Série B was Alegria da Zona Sul.
'The Crossing of the Great Calunga and Black Nobility in Brazil' goes back in time and unveils the secrets of African tribes.
The school bows before Obaluaiê and pays homage with 'Olubajé - A banquet for the king'.
The Largo da Batalha samba school presents the theme “Ritualis”, a journey through the history of religious rituals and faith.
The São Gonçalo school pays homage to the ‘Queens of Radio - On the waves of emotion, the Tiger crowns the Divas of song!’
With the theme 'Of Arrows and Wolves', Renascer de Jacarepaguá will feature Villa Lobos and his Amazon as highlights.
'In the carnival festivities, I'm a merchant of joy, and with Estácio, I set up shop on the avenue' is the theme of the red and white samba school.
Bravo Malês! The Saga of Luiza Mahin, a revolutionary from the colonial period of Brazil, a symbol of Black resistance in the country and mother of Luiz Gama.
'In the magical flight of hope, those who believe always achieve.'
'Turn your head, drive your heart crazy. Mad geniuses of creation'
'Mother Wood'
'The King Who Embroidered the World'
'Moju, Mage, Majuba - Symphonies and Drumming'
'Submerged Eldorado: Tupi-Parintintin Delirium'