Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties during Rio''s over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many.
The world-renowned carnival is under way in Rio with millions taking to the streets for days of rowdy, joyous parades and festivities, bringing the nation to a halt for its annual wild party. Nearly 800,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists are expected to join Rio's six million residents in the celebrations, whose climax comes on Sunday and Monday with the city's top samba schools putting on their extravagant processions led by sexy dancing queens.
Carnival revellers in Rio de Janeiro danced on to Beatles songs set to Brazilian samba rhythms on Monday. The Sargento Pimenta street band had thousands of spirited followers twisting and shouting and singing "She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah" as golden oldies from the Liverpool four blasted a waterfront park on the third day of what is dubbed the world's biggest party.
1. Come back darling!
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A banner with the portrait of impeached Brazilian former president Dilma Rousseff with a sign reading "Come back darling" is seen as members of the new Bloco -street carnival group- ''Fora Temer'' (Temer Out, referring to Brazilian President Michel Temer) parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The revellers protest against Brazilian President Michel Temer and for impeached Brazilian former president Dilma Rousseff.
Image courtesy: AFP
2. Party on the streets!
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Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties during Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many.
Image courtesy: AFP
3. Male Lady-bugs!
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Revellers take part in the ''Cordao do Bola Preta'' traditional carnival band parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Image courtesy: AFP
4. Sambadrome
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A dancer of the Mocidade Alegre samba school performs during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
5. Sao Paulo
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Revellers of the Imperio da Casa Verde samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
6. Vila Maria
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A float of the Unidos de Vila Maria samba school parades during the first night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
7. Rio de Janeiro
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A reveller performs during the Carmelitas street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Image courtesy: PTI
8. Carnival for dogs
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Dogs take part in the "Blocao" or dog carnival parade during carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
9. Babe... is that you?
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A piglet takes part in the "Blocao" or dog carnival parade during carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Image courtesy: Reuters
10. Centre stage
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Revellers of a samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
11. White Face
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A reveller takes part in the Banda de Ipanema traditional carnival band parade in the beach of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
12. Unicorns do exist!
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Revellers takes part in the annual block party Cordao de Prata Preta during carnival festivities in Rio Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
13. Heaven on Earth
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Revellers perform during the "Ceu na Terra" or Heaven on Earth street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
14. Sambadrome
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Revellers of the Imperio da Casa Verde samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
15. Parading
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A reveller parades for the Imperio da Casa Verde samba school during the carnival in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
16. Imperio da Casa Verde
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Revellers of the Imperio da Casa Verde samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
17. Mud Carnival
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Revellers take part in the 31st carnival of the "Bloco da Lama" mud carnival band in Paraty, about 250 km south of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the mud carnival the revellers celebrate covering their bodies with mud as primitive people.
Image courtesy: AFP
18. Unidos da Tijuca
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A reveller of Unidos da Tijuca samba school waits for the start of their parade on the second night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
19. Donald Trump strikes again
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A large dummy of US President Donald Trump is paraded among other figures along the streets of Olinda, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
20. Samba
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Revellers from Beija-Flor samba school perform during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
21. Rio de Janeiro
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Revellers from Beija-Flor samba school perform during the carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
22. Samba
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Revellers of Beija-Flor perform during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: Reuters
23. Grande Rio
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A reveller of the Grande Rio samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
24. Rio Carnival
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Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo (C) performs with the Grande Rio samba school during the first night of Rio's Carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image courtesy: AFP
