RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The world’s biggest party is back as Carnival celebrations return to Brazil with glittery, outrageous costumes, samba rhythms ringing out until dawn and hundreds of raucous roaming parties flooding the streets.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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Drum queen Sabrina Sato from Vila Isabel samba school performs during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Vila Isabel samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Vila Isabel samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Drummers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Performers from the Mangueira samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers of Academicos de Niteroi samba school, hold signs that read "Strike" and "People" during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A child watches a parade of the Beija-Flor samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A worker prepares a float for a samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Former model and actress Adriane Galisteu parades at the Portela samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer impersonates late Brazilian singer Rita Lee during the Mocidade samba school parade at Carnival celebrations in the Sambadrome, Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Mangueira samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A fan of the Viradouro samba school cheers during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer does her makeup ahead of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Viradouro samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, late Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, late Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Mocidade samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Portela samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Former model and actress Adriane Galisteu parades at the Portela samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler celebrates during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A reveler donning a Grinch mask strikes a pose during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Revelers cheer during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Afro-Brazilian Baianas perform during "Lavagem," a pre-carnival ritual meant to deliver luck and a positive spirit as well as clean and bless the Sambadrome, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler smiles during the "Ceu na Terra" or "Heaven on Earth" pre-Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A dog wears a cardboard soccer net costume during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers cool off in the waters of Flamengo beach during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers dressed as flamingos pose a photos during the "Cordao do Boitata" street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A sex worker dances during a pre-Carnival street party in the Vila Mimosa red-light district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A reveler dances during the "Cordao do Boitata" street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A dog wears a lion's mane headpiece during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Owners and their pets pose for a photo at the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dog wears a costume during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Raquel Poti performs on stilts during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers attend a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers attend the Carmelitas street party on the first official day of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Drum queen Sabrina Sato from Vila Isabel samba school performs during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Vila Isabel samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Vila Isabel samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Drummers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Performers from the Mangueira samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers of Academicos de Niteroi samba school, hold signs that read "Strike" and "People" during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A child watches a parade of the Beija-Flor samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A worker prepares a float for a samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Former model and actress Adriane Galisteu parades at the Portela samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer impersonates late Brazilian singer Rita Lee during the Mocidade samba school parade at Carnival celebrations in the Sambadrome, Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Mangueira samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A fan of the Viradouro samba school cheers during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer does her makeup ahead of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Viradouro samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, late Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, late Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Mocidade samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Mocidade samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Portela samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Former model and actress Adriane Galisteu parades at the Portela samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Portela samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, early Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A performer from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parades during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school parade on a float during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler celebrates during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A reveler donning a Grinch mask strikes a pose during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Revelers cheer during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Afro-Brazilian Baianas perform during "Lavagem," a pre-carnival ritual meant to deliver luck and a positive spirit as well as clean and bless the Sambadrome, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler smiles during the "Ceu na Terra" or "Heaven on Earth" pre-Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A dog wears a cardboard soccer net costume during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers cool off in the waters of Flamengo beach during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers dressed as flamingos pose a photos during the "Cordao do Boitata" street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A sex worker dances during a pre-Carnival street party in the Vila Mimosa red-light district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A reveler dances during the "Cordao do Boitata" street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A dog wears a lion's mane headpiece during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Owners and their pets pose for a photo at the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dog wears a costume during the "Blocao" Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Raquel Poti performs on stilts during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Performers attend a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Revelers attend the Carmelitas street party on the first official day of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
