RIO DE JANEIRO — The spirited celebrations of Brazil’s Carnival are in full swing, featuring vibrant street parties and dazzling parades.
The festivities kicked off Friday afternoon, and today heralds the first complete day of the exuberant pre-Lenten celebration. Keep up with the action as photographers and reporters capture the exuberance and chaos of the event.
Recent highlights include:
**Friends of the Jaguar**
On Saturday morning, one of the most popular street parties, Friends of the Jaguar, took place on a beach with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of attendees are dressed in leopard and jaguar-themed attire.
Marina Caetano, 39, a devoted participant, has only missed the gathering once due to hospitalization but wished to attend even then.
“The atmosphere is incredible—the best street party with amazing energy, people, and music,” Caetano shared. “This event holds a special place in my heart.”
The festivities boast a band featuring saxophones, trombones, and drums, accompanied by a sound truck spreading their music. Additionally, dancers known as “the jaguarettes” add to the lively atmosphere, adorned with intricate makeup as they emulate large cats.
“It’s a platform allowing us to showcase our artistic talents and express our freedom,” stated dancer Dandara Abreu, 36.
**Sao Paulo Parades**
In Sao Paulo, samba school parades commenced on Friday evening, drawing thousands to the city’s Sambadrome.
The performances highlighted Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous heritages and paid homage to celebrated musicians of the country, such as Cazuza, Toquinho, and poet Vinícius de Moraes.
The Acadêmicos do Tatuapé samba school presented a powerful parade confronting social injustice and advocating for equal rights, inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. The theme of the presentation was the renowned quote by the civil rights leader: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The premier parades in Sao Paulo conclude tonight, paving the way for Rio de Janeiro’s top samba schools to begin their parades on Sunday evening.
**Partying Nuns**
On Friday afternoon, Rio’s traditional street party, Carmelitas, took over Santa Teresa, a bohemian hilltop neighborhood.
Home to the Carmelites Convent, the party sees many revelers dressing as nuns and priests as a customary tribute.
Some attendees honored Pope Francis, hospitalized in Rome with double pneumonia, during the festivities.
**The Key to Carnival**
On Friday, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro handed over the city’s ceremonial key to the Carnival monarch, signifying King Momo’s reign over the festive period until Ash Wednesday.
“Don’t call me. Reach out to King Momo until Ash Wednesday arrives,” Mayor Eduardo Paes, dressed in shorts and a Panama hat, told the enthusiastic crowd of drummers and seasoned samba school members who celebrated with traditional tunes.
Momo’s symbolic rule flips society’s order upside down during Carnival, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology where Momus, the personification of satire and irreverence, plays a central role.
