The world’s best-known popular festival is the Brazilian carnival. Since the 18th century it has taken place 40 days before Lent. This great fiesta is more alive today than ever, with more than 1 million people enjoying Rio’s street parties, known as blocos, each day. The samba parade is carnival’s main event and the most important time of the year for the city’s samba schools - this is their chance to show the world the true meaning of spectacular as they perform in the Sambadrome. You can simply watch or even join the parade! Elsewhere in town, everyone from kids to their grandparents, celebrate the carnival for 5 days and nights - it is an essential part of Rio life. 

From the top 12 schools, 6 perform on Sunday and 6 on Monday at the Sambadrome. Each school can have more than 3000 members and the school is judged on the song, costumes, choreography and other 7 items.