With its heavenly beaches, infectious music and welcoming people, Brazil is the perfect destination to experience one of the most vibrant celebrations in the world: Carnival. If you’re thinking of joining this incredible experience in 2025, you’ve come to the right place.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the Brazilian Carnival: dates, activities, what to bring and how to enjoy it to the fullest.
When is Carnival in Brazil?
Brazil’s Carnival 2025 will take place from Friday, February 28 to Saturday, March 8. This event is one of the most iconic and anticipated celebrations in the country, known for its vibrant energy, spectacular parades and infectious music.
Brazilian Carnival is a holiday celebrated just before Lent , marking a period of joy and exuberance before a time of religious reflection. During Carnival, the streets of cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo are filled with samba parades, street parties (blocos), and costume balls.
How is Carnival celebrated in Brazil?
Carnival in Brazil is one of the most anticipated and colorful festivities in the country. Each region has its own traditions and ways of celebrating, but some common elements include parades, music, dancing, and costumes. Here’s how it’s celebrated in some of the country’s main cities:
Rio de Janeiro
Samba parades
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is famous for its samba parades, where samba schools compete in the Sambadrome. These schools spend the entire year preparing their performances, which include elaborate floats, dazzling costumes and impressive choreography.
Street Blocks
In addition to the official parades, the city is filled with blocos de rua, which are street parties where people dance and enjoy themselves to the rhythm of samba and other musical genres. Each bloco has its own theme and style, attracting crowds of all ages.
Salvador de Bahia
Electric Trios
In Salvador, Carnival is known for the trios eléctricas, which are huge trucks equipped with powerful sound systems on which bands play. These trucks drive through the streets, followed by thousands of people dancing and singing.
Axé Music
The predominant musical genre in Salvador during Carnival is axé, a mix of African and Brazilian rhythms that brings joy and energy to all participants.
Recife and Olinda
Frevo and Maracatu
In northeastern Brazil, especially in the cities of Recife and Olinda, Carnival is celebrated with local rhythms such as frevo and maracatu. Parades in these cities are known for their energy and colorful, traditional costumes.
Giant Dolls
A distinctive feature of the Carnival in Olinda are the giant bonecos, huge papier-mâché figures that parade through the narrow colonial streets, creating a unique and lively spectacle.
Why is Carnival celebrated in Rio de Janeiro?
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The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is one of the most iconic festivals in Brazil and around the world, and is celebrated for several historical, cultural and social reasons.
Historical origins:
European celebrations
Rio Carnival has its roots in European festivities celebrated before Lent , a period of fasting and reflection in the Christian calendar. Portuguese settlers brought these traditions to Brazil in the 17th century, combining them with pagan festivities marking the end of winter in Europe.
African and indigenous influences
As Brazil’s population grew and diversified, Carnival incorporated elements of African and indigenous cultures. African slaves introduced rhythms, dances and music that fused with European traditions, creating a unique and vibrant celebration.
Expression of culture
The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is a powerful expression of Brazilian culture. Through music, dance and art, Brazilians celebrate their identity, diversity and creativity . Samba schools, which are the heart of the Carnival, represent entire communities that work together throughout the year to create spectacular parades.
Symbol of unity
Carnival is a time when social and economic differences fade away, and everyone comes together to celebrate . It is a time of unity and joy when barriers dissolve and people meet in the streets to enjoy together.
Tourism and economy
Rio’s Carnival also has a significant economic impact . It attracts millions of tourists from around the world, generating significant revenue for the city and creating jobs in sectors such as tourism, hospitality and crafts. Samba parades, street parties and other Carnival-related events are a vital economic driver for Rio de Janeiro.
What is the biggest Carnival in the world?
The largest carnival in the world is the Rio de Janeiro Carnival , held in Brazil. This festival is recognized worldwide for its spectacular nature, the magnitude of its parades and the enormous participation of both locals and tourists.
How long does the Rio de Janeiro carnival last?
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival typically lasts five official days, beginning on the Friday and ending on the Tuesday how to build successful team dynamics in microsoft before Ash Wednesday of Holy Week. However, celebrations can extend beyond these five days, with events and parties both before and after the official Carnival dates.
Start: Friday before Ash Wednesday
End: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
During these five days, the city is filled with parades, street parties (blocos), dances and cultural events, attracting millions of local participants and tourists.
Brazilian Carnival Calendar
Friday
Opening Ceremony: Includes the symbolic handover of the keys to the city to King Momo, the character who represents the spirit of the Carnival.
Saturday and Sunday
Parades at the Sambadrome: Samba schools from the Grupo Especial parade with their elaborate performances. These parades are the highlight of the Carnival and are televised nationally and internationally.
Monday and Tuesday
More parades and parties: Continuation of the parades at the Sambadrome, as well as numerous blocos and parties in different parts of the city.
Ash Wednesday
Parade Results: The results and the winning samba school of the Special Group parade are announced.
What are the Brazilian Carnivals like?
If you’re still wondering what the Brazilian carnivals are like, here’s the answer: they’re fun, there are lots of people, lots of music and drinks. It’s a great show that you definitely have to see.
As we’ve already told you, carnivals in Brazil are known for their vibrant energy, spectacular parades, and massive participation by the population. Each region of the country celebrates Carnival in a unique way, incorporating its own traditions and musical styles.
If you want to know more about what carnivals are like, here are some must-sees:
Brazilian Carnival floats
One of the most impressive aspects of Carnival is the floats. Samba schools compete to create the most elaborate and dazzling floats. These mobile structures are decorated with bright colors, lights, and themed elements that reflect Brazilian stories, legends, and culture.
Floats are a central part of parades at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro and in other major cities such as São Paulo and Salvador.
Women: Carnival Costumes
Carnival costumes are known for their extravagance and beauty. Samba dancers, known as pasistas, wear handmade costumes that include feathers, sequins, and sparkling stones.
These costumes are designed to highlight the dance movements and to shine under the lights of the parades. In addition to the dancers, many other participants also dress in themed costumes, creating a stunning visual spectacle.
Brazilian Carnival Makeup
Makeup is an essential part of the Carnival look. Participants wear bright and colorful makeup, with details such as glitter, adhesive gems, and artistic designs that complement their costumes.
Makeup is not only used to beautify, but also to highlight and express the creativity of each individual. Painted and decorated faces contribute to the magical and festive atmosphere of Carnival.
And here we present more features of the Brazilian Carnival:
Samba Parades: Samba schools parade in the Sambadrome, presenting elaborate choreographies and floats.
Blocos de Rua: Street parties where people dance and enjoy music.
Electric Trios: Trucks with live cy lists bands that travel the streets, especially in Salvador.
Frevo and Maracatu: Traditional rhythms in cities like Recife and Olinda.
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is the largest and most famous in the world, known for its magnitude, vibrant energy and deep connection to Brazilian culture. It is a celebration that unites millions of people in an explosion of music, dance and joy, reflecting the diversity and festive spirit of Brazil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main activities during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival?
The main activities of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival include:
Samba Parades at the Sambadrome : Samba schools compete with floats and elaborate choreographies.
Blocos de Rua : Street parties where people dance and enjoy music in the streets of the city.
Dances and Festivals : Numerous events and themed parties take place throughout the city.
Samba Rehearsals : Before Carnival, samba schools hold rehearsals open to the public, where you can see a sample of what they will present in the official parades.
What should I bring if I travel to the Brazilian Carnival?
If you are traveling to the Brazilian Carnival, make sure to bring:
Documents and money: Passport, visa (if applicable), travel insurance, cash (Brazilian real) and credit/debit cards.
Clothing and footwear: Light and comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes for walking and dancing, swimsuit for the beach.
Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Colorful costume or clothing: To join the festive spirit of Carnival.
Safety items: Waist bag or small backpack, copy of important documents, water and snacks.
Maps and connections: City maps, useful applications and a connection plan (SIM card or roaming).
Is it safe to participate in the Brazilian Carnival?
Participating in the Brazilian Carnival can be safe if certain precautions are taken . It is important to stay in groups, avoid carrying valuables, and keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
Local authorities and police are present in the most crowded areas to ensure the safety of attendees. It is also advisable to find out about the safest areas and follow the recommendations of the event organisers and locals.
