Brazilian Carnival takes place annually, between the months of February and March, 47 days before Easter, culminating in an intense week of celebrations before before Ash Wednesday in many Brazilian cities. In fact, Brazil’s Carnival, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, and Venice’s Carnival all share origins and traditions, and are celebrated as part of the pre-Lent festivities.
Brazilian Carnival has its roots in the colonial period, being a legacy of European Carnival festivities. Brazilians, however, left their mark by incorporating elements of African culture, resulting in a incomparable celebration. In the 20th century, Carnival expanded even further in Brazil, embracing a diversity of forms and rhythms, from the iconic samba to the vibrant axé, frevo and maracatu. Samba schools, street blocks, dances and electric trios offer a variety of options for revelers to immerse themselves in the festive days.
Rio de Janeiro, unquestionably, is the epicenter of one of the most iconic Carnivals in the country. Rio’s street Carnival is recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world, attracting approximately two million revelers per day to follow the blocks. Meanwhile, the Sambódromo of Marquês de Sapucaí serves as the official stage for the annual parade of Rio’s samba schools. This grand spectacle involves each school performing according to a specific plot, delighting both the audience and the judges.
São Paulo is not far behind, standing out both in the street blocks and in the samba school parades. The metropolis attracts more and more tourists, providing them with a vibrant experience during festival days. In other regions, the rhythm of Carnival takes on different nuances. Salvador, for example, is the stage for Afro groups such as Ilê and Olodum, the latter recognized as Bahia’s cultural heritage, which bring African traditions to the center of the festival. The electric trios take to the streets of Salvador with axé and the public follows the trio through the city’s circuits. In Recife and Olinda, frevo and maracatu infect revelers who celebrate in both cities.
Carrie x
