The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro is a must-do party for anyone who wants to check off the biggest world parties from their life list. This grand show of debauchery and revelry before Lent dates all the way back to the year 1723, and with two million people on the streets per day of the festivities, the carnival in Rio is considered the biggest in the world.

There are balls, street parties, street band processions, and the highlight of the whole event: the Samba Parade.

The street band of Ipanema will be a totally unforgettable experience as the most famous and flamboyant of all the street parties. It was formed back in 1965 and has been a stronghold of the street band scene ever since - come find out why for yourself. You can strut your stuff at the Gay Gala Costume Ball (whatever your persuasion) for more fun than you can shake a stick at in one night, and if you want to join the ranks of high society you can attend the Magic Ball at the Hotel Copacabana Palace. You can learn to samba, parade around in costume yourself, join the street parties, march with the street bands. 

Street parades and the street band/block parties are found throughout the city during Carnival, and more than 300 can be going on any at given time. The street festivals of Carnival are highly attended by the locals, which gives you a great look at how the “Romans” do in “Rome”, and it’s a great opportunity to make some local friends. It may not be as elegant or extravagant as the fancy-pants balls, but there is still music, dancing, and revelry, and all it takes for you to participate and become a part of the seething mass of awesome is to jump in and enjoy it. 

Next year’s Carnival in Rio starts on March 1, 2014. Mark your calendars.

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