Rio Carnival

A carnival is a celebration of fun, music and frivolity held worldwide, but the Rio Carnival is the biggest and the best known. More than 500,000 visitors flock to Rio for the carnival every year adding to around a million local revellers. It takes place over four days, culminating in the samba parade where three to five thousand people from samba schools all over Rio perform with floats, music themes and costumes and onlookers party in the streets. Samba schools spend all year preparing for it, and complete over the four days for the right to feature in the samba parade where the final winner is announced. The hedonistic attitude of this carnival comes from its history as a final fling in the lead up to Lent, while the drum music played on many of the floats comes from African influences. Carnival-goers can also attend balls, street parties and samba school nights. Learn to samba, douse your costume in sequins and feathers and get ready to dance all night—just make sure you book your flights and accommodation early.