Feathers, sparkles and barely-there get-ups – the Rio Carnival is back for another year.
The annual Brazilian festival is filled with bright costumes, loud music and some of the world’s best dancers and is one of the biggest events on the Brazilian calendar.
The Carnival dates back to 1723 and is held each year in the week leading up to Lent. The festival sees millions of locals and visitors fill up the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí – the purpose-built parade area made for the Rio Carnival.
Outside of the parade area, you’ll find over 300 street parties happening around Rio de Janeiro from the beginning of the year leading up to the festival, which makes the first few months of the year an ideal time to visit Rio.
While now is too late for a quick jaunt to Rio to catch the Carnival, if you want to book a trip to see next year’s festival, the official website recommends booking flights, accommodation and tickets between four to six months in advance as parade tickets can sell out.
The best parades to see while there are the Samba Parades, which take place most nights but the main samba schools participate on the Sunday and Monday nights, competing for the championship title.
This year, Londoner Samantha Flores has been chosen to lead the Império da Tijuca samba school float for the second year running. Last year Flores made history after becoming the first non-Brazillian lead dancer at Rio Carnival.
You can click through the gallery above to see all the awe-inspiring images from the festival.
