Carnival is Rio's main event, it's their Mardis Gras! It happens at the peak of summer(scorching hot!), when Cariocas are at their best. The 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 (Mardi-Gras). Dates change every year. Arrive a few days earlier to explore the city. There's so much to see and do during Carnival days and nights that you probably won't get much sleep.

The origins of Carnival are unclear, but most agree that it started as a pagan celebration in ancient Rome or Greece. Today the event is televised to dozens of countries, and many consider it the biggest show/party on earth. The street parades and shows are truly unbelievable and appeal to almost every age group(well except for the nudity).

Street Carnival is loads of free fun and happens all over the city. You are more than welcome to watch and enjoy, and after a couple drinks you might want to consider participating. Move into the clubs later on at night, party the night away in the dico's that line the streets...women and men from all over the world party

and have the times of their lives!

The highlight of the public celebration is the parade. Throughout it masked riders stand atop huge floats from which they throw plastic cups, panties, and beads and metal doubloons to the drunken crowd. Parade riders often spend in excess of £600 on their individual stock of "throws" to give out during the huge party parade.