Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Displayed:   times.

Carnival is Rio's main event. It happens at the peak of summer, when Cariocas are at their best. Festivities attract thousands of people from all corners of the world. Carnaval, as spelled in Portuguese, is a 4-day celebration. It starts on Saturday, and ends on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi-Gras. Dates change every year. Carnival Sunday is seven weeks before Easter Sunday. The origins of Carnival are unclear, but most agree that it started as a pagan celebration in ancient Rome, or Greece. Carnival balls were imported from Italy in the late nineteenth century, and had their golden era in the thirties, with legendary balls at the Copacabana Palace, and the Municipal Theater. The Samba Parade began in the 30's - first timidly at Praça XI, and later on Av. Presidente Vargas. It found a permanent home in 1984 at the Sambodrome, in the downtown area. Today the event is broadcast to dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states. Many people think of it as the greatest show on earth.

Rate this tip:

Rate!

Add Comment >>

Your Name:

Your Comment:

General Tips about Brazil

» Required travel documents for Brazil
» Area code to Brazil
» Weather
» Recife
» Manaus
» Pantanal
» Iguassu Falls
» Time Zones
» Business
» Liquor and beer
» Liquor and beer
» Brazil Cuisine
» Tipping / Customs
» Language
» When to go to Brazil
» The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round.
» Visas
» Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
» Săo Paulo
» Rio de Janeiro - Carnival
» Rio de Janeiro
» Joăo Pessoa
» Brasilia
» Get around in Brazil
» Brazil
» Sao Paulo
» RIO DE JANEIRO - Metropolitan Cathedral
» RIO DE JANEIRO - Guinle Park
» RIO DE JANEIRO - Christ the Redeemer
» Rio de Janeiro
» PERNAMBUCO
» The Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha
» Copacabana Beach
» Ipanema

   More travel tips about Brazil