HolidayList
🎉 festival

Brazilian Carnival

Friday, February 13, 2026

— days to go

Brazilian Carnival is the world's largest and most famous Carnival celebration, attracting millions of participants and spectators annually. The festival takes place in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, with the most spectacular celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, and Recife. Rio's Carnival features the iconic samba school parades at the Sambódromo, while Salvador is known for its trio elétrico trucks and Afro-Brazilian rhythms.

History

Carnival in Brazil traces its origins to the Portuguese colonial era's Entrudo, a rowdy street festival. The modern Carnival evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the emergence of samba music and the first samba schools. The construction of the Sambódromo in 1984 professionalized the Rio parades, which are now globally televised events.

How It's Celebrated

Samba schools compete in elaborate parades with thousands of dancers in spectacular costumes, allegorical floats, and live samba music. Street blockos (blocos) offer free, community-driven celebrations throughout cities. In Salvador, revelers follow trio elétrico sound trucks. Northeast Brazil's Olinda features distinctive giant puppets and frevo music.

Other Years

2021 Sat
13 Feb
2022 Sun
13 Feb
2023 Mon
13 Feb
2024 Tue
2/13
2025 Thu
2/13
2026 Fri
2/13
2027 Sat
2/13
2028 Sun
2/13
2029 Tue
13 Feb

Countries

🇧🇷 BR

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