Rio de Janeiro's Carnival: The World's Biggest Party

The festival that stops Rio de Janeiro—and captivates the world—is Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval). Officially Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro, it is an annual explosion of music, dance, and color held in the days leading up to Lent (the 40-day Christian period of fasting before Easter).

What Makes It Legendary?

• Samba Parades: The heart of the celebration is the competitive parade at the Sambadrome, where elite samba schools (escolas de samba) perform elaborate, themed productions with thousands of costumed dancers, massive floats, and thunderous percussion.
• Street Parties (Blocos): Beyond the stadium, hundreds of blocos (street bands) take over neighborhoods, drawing millions of revelers in creative, often satirical costumes.
• Scale: It is widely considered the largest carnival in the world, drawing over two million people per day onto the streets, plus a global television audience of billions.

Rooted in European Catholic traditions (Entrudo) fused with African rhythms and Indigenous influences, Rio's Carnival is a dazzling showcase of Brazil's multicultural soul.