The 2020 Rio de Janeiro Série A (now Série Ouro) parades took place between February 21st and 22nd, 2020, at the Marquês de Sapucaí, with exclusive broadcast on TV Globo. The schools in Série A in 2020 were, in order of presentation: Acadêmicos de Vigário Geral, Acadêmicos da Rocinha, Unidos da Ponte, Unidos do Porto da Pedra, Acadêmicos do Cubango, Renascer de Jacarepaguá, Império Serrano, Acadêmicos do Sossego, Inocentes de Belford Roxo, Unidos de Bangu, Acadêmicos de Santa Cruz, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, Unidos de Padre Miguel, and Império da Tijuca. The grand champion was Imperatriz Leopoldinense, with the theme "Só dá Lari," in homage to the composer Lamartine Babo. The other schools that topped the rankings were Unidos de Padre Miguel, Porto da Pedra, Cubango, and Império da Tijuca. Império Serrano achieved its worst result in history up to that point, finishing in ninth place. Rocinha and Renascer were relegated.
The 2019 Série B champion presents the theme "The Swindler's Tale," which addresses the stories told about Brazil, not always based on reality, since the time of its discovery.
The plot of "The Black Warrior Who Conquered Two Worlds" tells the story of Maria da Conceição, a slave from Congo brought to Brazil who became the warrior Maria Conga.
The plot of "Links of Eternity" tells the story of how, since the beginning of time, humanity has tried to connect with eternity, whether through religion or legacies for future generations.
Conceived by Annik Salmon, the plot "What does the Bahian woman have? From Bonfim to Sapucaí" pays a well-deserved tribute to the Bahian women of the school.
With the theme "The Voice of Freedom," the school tells the story of Luiz Gama, son of former slave Luisa Mahin, and patron of the abolition movement.
The storyline "I who bless you, God who heals you," by carnival designer Ney Júnior, will showcase the work and importance, especially of women healers, with their wisdom and faith. They serve as inspiration to demonstrate the diversity of spiritual manifestations.
“A woman’s place is wherever she wants to be,” a theme by Júnior Pernambucano that will exalt the strength of women in society and pay homage to personalities from the school, such as the singer Dona Ivone Lara and the former president Neide Coimbra.
The storyline “The Drums of Olokun” celebrates the sacred and historical roots and characters of the Black procession that originated in Pernambuco, uniting samba with maracatu.
The storyline “Marta of Brazil – Crying at the beginning to smile at the end” is a tribute to the Brazilian warrior and star of world football.
"Memoirs of a Griot: the African diaspora in an age that is neither modern nor contemporary" tells the stories of African peoples – more specifically from the Congo.
The storyline “Santa Cruz de Barbalha: a folk tale in the Cariri region of Ceará” discusses the cultural expressions of the municipality of Barbalha.
"Só dá Lalá" offers a reinterpretation of the 1981 plot of 'O teu cabelo não nega' by Arlindo Rodrigues and pays homage to the composer Lamartine Babo.
The plot of "Ginga" tells the story of capoeira, with dance movements and improvisations that express the feelings of the capoeirista, rooted in African culture.
"Chimeras of an Eternal Apprentice" is a tribute to the bricklayer Evandro dos Santos, known as the Literary Postman and creator of a community library.