About Carnaval in Brazil

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This is one for the Bucket List. Everyone in the world should experience Brazil's Carnaval (Yes, it is spelled with an 'a', not an 'i') at least once in their lifetime. Carnaval is about living large and getting all your partying out of your system in preparation for Lent, which is the 40-day-long fasting and reflection period in Christianity leading up to Easter.

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A personal note from Laura: Carnaval is six days and five nights of dancing, drinking, eating, and celebrating. It is the largest party in the world, with Rio de Janeiro at its center. In Rio, samba schools of scantily clad women and men in very ornate costumes compete. Especially for the poor, this is the one time of the year they get to shine, and many will spend the entire year (and most of their savings) creating the perfect Carnaval costume. I remember sitting with my brother at home, watching the schools (parade groups) pass by on television. He was waiting for the inevitable wardrobe malfunctions with the women. There were quite a few live broadcasts. Let's say Carnaval is a teenage boy's dream.

In towns and cities away from Rio, local clubs (for the wealthy. I attended Carnaval at the Marília Tennis Club in the state of Sāo Paulo) or neighborhood streets host Carnaval dances. Everyone sleeps during the day and dances through the night, and Carnaval ends at sunrise on Ash Wednesday.

When I attended, I was sixteen, and it was magical. I had a new costume every night, and it was one of the few times you had us kids mixed in with the adults for a full-on party. I recall the last night having to sit and watch. My feet were covered in blisters from dancing so much over the first four nights!
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In the United States, Carnaval is celebrated in New Orleans as Mardi Gras. Venice, Italy, is also renowned for its celebration. However, there is nothing else on earth like Carnaval in Brazil.

PLEASE NOTE:
Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.