Though Rio's celebrations are perhaps the most famous around the world, thanks to the samba schools (large community-based or neighborhood-based dance groups that organize beautiful dance performances during Carnaval) and giant floats that dance down the street, many people contend that Salvador, a coastal city in Northern Brazil, boasts the largest Carnaval in all of Brazil!
Carnaval is a celebration that takes place beginning the Friday before Ash Wednesday (Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in Catholocism/Christianity). Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, which includes abstaining from meat on certain days; thus the word "carnival" derives from carnelevare, which means to remove meat (Wikipedia). Carnaval typically lasts for about a week—this year from February 13 - February 18, 2026. Typical festivities include musical performances, parades, floats, and "blocos" (massive street/block parties) that are led by moving sound systems called trio-electricos.
