Five days into the 2025 Rio Carnival, Rio de Janeiro pulses with an electrifying energy that has made it the planet’s most iconic festival. Launched on February 28 and set to conclude on March 8 with the Champions’ Parade, this year’s event has drawn an estimated 1.5 million tourists to join the city’s 6 million residents in a dazzling display of Brazilian culture. From the streets to the Sambadrome, the carnival is a living testament to the nation’s rich heritage, blending African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences into a spectacle unlike any other.

The Sambadrome, Rio’s purpose-built parade stadium, hosted the Special Group parades on March 2 and 3, where the city’s elite samba schools vied for supremacy. These performances, featuring towering floats adorned with intricate designs, dancers in shimmering costumes, and the relentless beat of samba, are the carnival’s crown jewel. Each school pours months of preparation into these shows, reflecting stories of history, mythology, or social critique. The winning school, to be crowned after rigorous judging, will take the spotlight again on March 8, a moment of pride for Rio’s competitive samba community.

Beyond the stadium, over 300 "blocos"—spontaneous street parties—erupt across the city, from the sun-drenched shores of Copacabana to the winding alleys of Santa Teresa. These free gatherings, fueled by samba, funk, and local rhythms, embody the carnival’s democratic spirit, welcoming all to dance and revel. The event traces its roots to the 17th century, when Portuguese colonizers introduced pre-Lenten festivities, later enriched by the music and resilience of African slaves. Samba, born in Rio’s favelas, emerged as its soul, evolving from a marginalized sound to a global symbol of Brazilian identity.

More than a party, the Rio Carnival is an economic engine and cultural lifeline, celebrating a legacy of unity and creativity. As the final days approach, the city’s fervor promises an unforgettable finale to this world-renowned extravaganza.