Rio Carnival: Spectacular Samba Showdown

After weeks of sweaty, pulsating street parties, the Rio Carnival reaches its crescendo with its main event, in which samba schools compete in dazzling parades.

Rio de Janeiro vibrates with Carnival fever throughout February, but the main event is the parade of samba schools through the massive "Sambadrome" venue.

For two nights, the schools -- community organizations deeply rooted in Brazil's vibrant samba culture -- try to out-strut, out-shimmy, and out-shine their competitors in massive parades.

These feature elaborate, massive floats, fantastical costumes, and intricate choreography by performers dancing to the beats of a specially composed samba.

Each parade can include up to 3,000 participants who move up the 700 meter long avenue flanked by up to 70,000 spectators.

This year 12 schools  will compete for the coveted title of Carnival champion.

Much like football teams, each school has its fervent fans.

There are also different divisions in which schools rise and fall -- and getting to the main competition in the Sambadrome is no easy feat. Rio de Janeiro alone has 120 schools.

Those who make it are called the "Special Group." They put on a million-dollar production, with 60 to 70 minutes to seduce the jury with their story told in music and dance.

Themes often revolve around social and political issues or key historical events. Tickets to the event cost between $14 and $400.

Behind the pleasure-fueled festivities lies some serious money. This year the Rio Carnival received its largest-ever cash injection from the state government $12.5 million, 40 million of which went to the samba schools.

Carnival will bring in about USD $1 billion to the local economy, according to official statistics.

This is 18 percent more than in 2023.