Simply the world’s greatest party, the annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro is one of the wildest urban extravaganzas on the planet. The main party scene in the Cidade Nova district comes alive with a riot of color, outlandish floats and throngs of gyrating dancers; all shaking to intoxicating samba rhythms. Rio’s carnival starts on Saturday and ends on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. The various districts of the city or ‘Samba Schools’ compete to see which can parade the best, loudest, most over-the-top series of floats carrying bands and accompanied alongside by dancers and other performers. Before, during and after the main parades (held on Sunday and Monday), there are many other events across the city, including music shows, carnival balls and separate parades for the lesser samba schools.
Event Date:
March 5, 2012 - March 8, 2012
