The legendary Rio Carnival is open.Image: keystone
02/14/2026, 07:0802/14/2026, 07:08
Hot rhythms, thousands of costumes and loud samba sounds: In Rio de Janeiro, the world-famous carnival has begun with parades in the Sambodrome. Under a starry night sky at almost 30 degrees, several samba schools paraded through the street lined with stands with colorful floats and confetti.
These schools from the second division are applying to move into the elite class next year. The school “Unidos do Jacarezinho” kicked things off: it honored the Brazilian singer and composer Xande de Pilares, one of the most important names in samba and the pagoda subgenre.
The Rio Carnival is the biggest party in the world.Image: keystone
Mayor Eduardo Paes had previously officially ushered in the colorful hustle and bustle at Sugarloaf Mountain by handing over the city keys to “King Momo”, the symbolic figure of the carnival. «Rio de Janeiro is a way of life, a mood, and nothing represents the spirit of this city better than the Rio Carnival. Have fun, but be responsible,” said Paes.
The elite class consisting of the twelve top schools then performs on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The schools are evaluated by a jury, which ultimately chooses a winner.
From today on, the dance schools will be moving through the legendary Sambodromo.Image: EPA EFE
Tens of thousands in the stands and millions in front of televisions in Brazil and around the world usually watch the parades on the colossal Sambodrome catwalk, designed by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1984.
The Rio Carnival is considered the largest party in the world; the city administration expects a total of eight million people in the city. It is estimated that the carnival generates an economic turnover of 5.9 billion reais (about 950 million euros). Hundreds of “blocos” – samba and other music groups – are expected to parade through the streets of Rio in the coming days. (sda/dpa)
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Video: watson/michelle claus