What Is the Rio De Janeiro Carnival and Why Is it Celebrated?

Carnival celebrations have roots in the 1650s. This festival evolved from a pagan ritual to Greek or Roman gods into the current celebration with great seasonal significance for Catholics. The overall reason for this festival is to honor the spirit of overindulgence.

Rio hosted the first Carnival in 1723, with Brazil’s culture influenced by Portuguese colonists. Modern Carnival evolved from the “Entrudo” festival in Portugal.  Today, this major Brazilian city celebrates the most famous Carnival in the world. More than two million people crowd the streets to celebrate this unforgettable festival.

One of the most iconic aspects of present-day Carnival in Rio is the samba dancing competitions. However, this African-influenced dance was introduced only about a century ago. This means Rio’s Carnival is still changing, diversifying, and responding to its community.

Despite pervasive poverty and crime throughout Brazil, the Carnival celebration occurs every year. The only periods where Carnival fell silent, include the two World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.