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Rio Carnival is an event celebrated every year in Rio de Janeiro. It is considered the biggest carnival in the world with two million people per day on the streets. The event features parades filled with revelers, floats, and adornments from more than 200 samba schools, divided into five leagues/divisions. The carnival is one of the most interesting artistic events on the planet.

This year (2019), the carnival is beginning in the afternoon of Friday, March 1, and ends at midday on Wednesday, March 6.

History of Carnival

The origin of the carnival dates back to ancient Romans and the Greeks. The celebration dates back to 1640s. During that time, elaborate feasts were organized to honor the Greek wine gods. In 1840, the very first Rio masquerade took place, and polka and waltz took center stage. Africans subsequently influenced the Carnival with the introduction of samba music in 1917, which is now considered a traditional Brazilian form of sounds.

Details of the Event

Friday, March 1st

1 PM - Opening Ceremony

9 PM- Preliminary Schools' Parades in Sambodromo

Saturday, March 2nd.

9.30 AM - Street Band Cordao do Bola Preta (Downtown)

4 PM - Ipanema's Band, meeting point at General Osorio square, Ipanema

8 PM - Street Bands' Contest at Av. Rio Branco, Centro

9 PM - Preliminary Schools' Parades in Sambodromo

11pm - Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel

Sunday, March 3rd

9 PM - Main Schools' Parade in Sambodromo

Monday, March 4th

9 PM - Main Schools' Parade in Sambodromo

Tuesday, March 5th

4 PM - Ipanema's Band (last Carnival presentation)

9 PM - Children's Samba Schools Parades

11 PM - Gay Ball at Scala Rio

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