The Rio Carnival is billed as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ and I can see why!  It is also considered to be the biggest in the world, two million people each day party in the streets across the city.  Here you will come across impromptu block parties or blocos, where you just join in the fun, music and dance.

The first Rio Carnival took place in 1723.  Carnival (Portuguese – Carnaval) was initially a Catholic event, however, it is also rooted in European pagan traditions. Originally a food festival as it was the last time to eat generously before the 40 days of Lent.  The word ‘Carnaval’ is said to derive from the Latin expression ‘carne vale” which translates as ‘farewell to the meat’.

The unique characteristics of the carnival in the modern era is a mix of cultures between the Portuguese and Africans.  The Portuguese brought their form of carnival from Europe, the ‘Entrudo‘ and the Africans, their rhythms, music and dance. And so, the tradition was born to party together on the streets each year.

In 1917, the invention of the samba came along.  The first Samba Schools were established in the 1920s and the first samba parade competition was in 1933.  The main parade took place along Avenida Presidente Vargas until the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí was commissioned and opened for the 1984 event.  The runway is 700m long (circa 1/2 mile), 13m wide and seats 90,000.

For 3 nights, 6 – 7 samba schools with 1500 participants who represents a neighbourhood of Rio, parade each evening from 9pm until dawn.  They have circa 70 mins to samba & parade along the runway where they are judged & award points based on presentation, song, story, rhythm, dance, musicians and floats.  The winners go through to The Champions Parade.

I have never seen a spectacle quite like it.  The atmosphere is electric, the colours radiant, the costumes magnificent, the ostentatious floats mesmerising & the samba beat goes on.  One for the bucket list!  Thank you Rio.