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. Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival, is a festive season that occurs before the start of Lent. The celebration typically involves public parades, street parties, and costumes. Brazil is one of the countries that celebrates Mardi Gras, and the festivities there are some of the most elaborate and well-known in the world. Learn More About Rio Carnival. Rio Carnival is the greatest show on Earth and the biggest event of the Brazilian cultural calendar. The parades at the Sambadrome are the main attraction of the entire celebration. Before you come, get to know a bit about "el carnaval". What is Carnival in Rio; Rio Carnival Dates and Events; Types of Sambadrome Carnival in Brazil is a world-famous celebration of music, dance, and color. Every year, millions of people flock to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to participate in the festivities. While Carnival in Brazil shares some similarities with Mardi Gras in New Orleans, there are also some key differences. 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! 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. 2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brazilian edition of Mardi Gras is the world’s largest carnival. A whopping two million people pour into the streets of Rio de Janeiro each year for a major blowout. It comes complete with feathered showgirls, thumping sound systems and sensational samba choreography. Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Brazil’s weeklong Carnival festivities feature a Sao Paulo Mardi Gras is one of the biggest and most popular carnivals in Brazil. It is held every year on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. The carnival attracts people from all over Brazil and the world, and is a huge street party with music, dancing and costumes. The festival of nacarra begins the day before Lent, which is 40 days before Easter. It is critical to The festival season varies from city to city; Mardis Gras often refers to the last day of Shrovetide (or Fastelavn or Carnival), thus being synonymous with Shrove Tuesday. [4] Some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans , Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins When it comes to festivals that celebrate the spirit of revelry and indulgence, two names stand out: Carnival and Mardi Gras.While both are synonymous with vibrant parades, colorful costumes, and extravagant celebrations, they have distinct origins, traditions, and cultural significance. Carnival found a strategic place in the delineation of culture and Brazilian national identity,” wrote sociologist Edson Farias for the most popular Carnival celebration is Mardi Gras, “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 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. 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. Brazilian percussion and dancers add to the energy with their samba music. This may not be the most visited Mardi Gras festival (perhaps because of its length), but it is certainly unique (and Carnival celebrations formally open with King Momo accepting the keys to the 2024 Carnival celebrations in a colourful ceremony attended by thousands marking 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. With all the excitement surrounding the city, the Sambadrome during Rio Carnival will play host to the biggest party on the planet! Imperatriz - Ismar Ingber | Riotur The last place I want to highly is the Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration. The first Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans might have been the first one in the new world. It was a small celebration by French explorers in the area in 1699, with community celebrations being documented as early as 1730. 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.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |