Carnival, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent The Carnival of Brazil ( Portuguese : Carnaval do Brasil , IPA: [kaʁnaˈvaw] ) is an annual festival held the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent , the forty-day period before Easter. Information on Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2025 — official events, carnival dates, blocos, samba schools, parade ticket packages to the Sambadrome and guide. Mardi Gras in Brazil has its roots in the country’s colonial history. When Brazil was a Portuguese colony, the Portuguese brought the tradition of Carnival with them. Over time, the celebration has evolved and become more elaborate, with intricate costumes and floats. Today, Mardi Gras in Brazil is a major cultural event. Generally speaking, Carnival is held in February or March; the exact dates are announced a few years in advance. Although Carnival is always on a Friday, the celebrations go on until Tuesday, which is Mardi Gras! There are also pre-parties and after-parties, so the whole Carnival period usually lasts for a couple of weeks altogether. Carnival in Brazil is the most popular time to visit the country, and is an experience that captures the essence of the lively Brazilian culture unlike any other. Think Mardi Gras turned all the way up with a ton of Latin flair! When Is Carnival In Brazil? The Carnival is celebrated five days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent in the Catholic calendar. At the heart of the Carnival is the samba, which is the perfect illustration of the Afro-European blend that defines Brazil culture. The top samba schools get the honor of performing in front of millions at the Sambodromo . The origins of the Rio Carnival celebration dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Carnival was brought to Brazil by Portuguese colonizers between the 16th and 17th centuries, manifesting itself initially through the 'Entrudo', a popular festival where public games and lighthearted mockery would run wild in the streets. The History of Brazil’s Carnival. Mardi Gras is thought to have originated from a Greek spring festival that was held each year to honour Dionysus, or as he was known by the Romans, Bacchus, the god of wine and good times. The spring festival was later modified by the Roman Catholic Church to become an event that marked the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play host to some of This year, Brazil's federal government expects 46 million people to join festivities that officially begin Friday and run through Feb. 22. the return of Mardi Gras is critical ‘for our Up coming dates for Carnival in Brazil (Friday-Wednesday) are: 2025: 28 February-5 March; 2026: 13-18-February; 2027: 5-10 February; 2028: 25 February-1 March; 2029: 9-14 February; 2030: 1-6 March; Rio de Janeiro is the most famous and the largest of Brazil’s carnival celebrations. Carnival in Brazil is very different from Mardi Gras in the United States. Mardi Gras is more of a party atmosphere, where people drink and party in the streets. Carnival in Brazil is more of a cultural event, where people dress up in costumes and dance in the streets. During the carnival season, Brazil is most popular place to visit. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] Experience the Magic! Come to Celebrate Rio Carnival 2025 with us. The festival is set to take place from February 28th to March 8th 2025 in the Marvelous City of Rio de Janeiro. “Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in New Orleans are very different, but deep down they have the same essence,” Andreza Trivillan, a native Brazilian travel blogger who has visited Louisiana Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day whatever you call it, Shrove Tuesday is all about eating to excess. Brazil. Carnaval is big in this South American nation, and they’ve got seriously Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, Today, the winter festival is celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world, including Brazil, Italy, Switzerland, Mardi Gras is a wild time in New Orleans and celebrated across America but its inspiration, and one of the biggest parties on the planet, is the Carnival in Rio when the graceful, historic city is overtaken with Samba and Caiparinha’s (more on that below). In Brazil, Mardi Gras is known as Carnival and features elaborate parades, samba music, and vibrant costumes. Venice, Italy, is famous for its Carnival, where participants wear intricate masks and costumes, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere.
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