Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A Photographer’s Perspective

Rio de Janeiro is the capital of Carnival in Brazil—a stunning, five-day extravaganza of parades, music, and road events. Photographer Marta Tucci documented the spectacle for T+L. 

Sambadrome in Cidade Nova

“The parades on the Sambadrome are the central occasion of Carnival. For 4 nights, Rio’s high samba colleges, of which there are greater than 100, carry out to themes of their selecting—this previous 12 months, many had been associated to Afro-Brazilian religions.

This was my fifth Carnival, but it surely was the primary time I’d attended as a photographer. I realized that the themes usually are not nearly aesthetics. They provide a unique solution to discuss social points within the nation. In every parade, you see individuals with disabilities, youngsters, individuals in wheelchairs, aged individuals, LGBTQ individuals.

All people is concerned. I angled my digital camera towards the performers to seize their fervor, after which I turned towards the group and felt the very same vitality. The entire stadium had a shared pulse. It was my birthday at midnight. I wasn’t surrounded by pals or household, however I used to be on the best get together on earth.”

The Copa Ball at Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Resort

“I’ve at all times heard tales about well-known artists, socialites, and politicians attending the Copa Ball, however I had by no means been myself. All people wears designer costumes tied to a theme; for 2025, it was ‘infinite ocean blue.’

It’s a really elegant, opulent occasion on the Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Resort. Many individuals had been dancing—there was a dwell band and a DJ enjoying digital music—and a buffet that took up a complete corridor!

My consideration stored drifting to some older {couples}, dressed of their greatest outfits, taking within the scene. You may inform that they’d been attending this gala all of their lives. I felt that I used to be witnessing a slice of historical past. For many individuals with a structured, poised way of life, the Copa Ball is a chance to let unfastened—although in Brazil, no one actually wants an excuse to get together.”

Céu Na Terra in Santa Teresa

“Blocos are road events that occur all through Rio throughout Carnival, and Céu na Terra is one among my favorites. A few of the blocos downtown are large, with greater than 1 million individuals attending. However others, like this one within the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, which is up within the mountains, are extra intimate. Céu na Terra interprets to ‘heaven on earth.’

It’s a whimsical, fantastical celebration the place nostalgic, old-school samba songs are carried out. The get together begins at seven within the morning and everyone seems to be invited: households, artists, musicians, schoolteachers, full strangers. Some individuals ask me if I ever really feel unsafe in Rio throughout Carnival, however in my expertise, town has actually cleaned issues up up to now few years. It’s an exquisite, poetic chaos that’s all about being collectively.” —As instructed to Asa Canty 

A model of this story first appeared within the December 2025/January 2026 concern of Journey + Leisure below the headline “World’s Biggest Social gathering.”