But nothing could have prepared me for the splendor of Carnaval. Over four nights, starting the Friday before Lent, 28 samba schools compete in elaborate parades. Each is charged with telling a story through dance, lyrics, music, floats, and costumes. On Tuesday, the competition is over, but Brazil celebrates a national holiday while the revelry continues. Then, on Wednesday, the winners are announced and the top six schools perform again in one final parade of Carnaval.
TBH, my first time at the parade was pretty seamless. Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana , who hosted me for the festivities, set up an unbeatable experience. Plus, there was an open bar with a signature drink β Tarsila β from the Spirit Copa bar. It was the perfect go-to between my constant glasses of water. On Instagram, most pictures of Carnaval feature festive rave attire full of sequined bras and feathered headbands. If you opt for VIP tickets or camarotes instead of the bleacher seats, your T-shirt will act as a wristband, granting you entrance to your designated area.
Ahead of the parade, it is tradition to customize your mandatory T-shirt, adding sequins, fringe, and feathers for a more compelling look. For my trip, Fairmont organized seamstresses ahead of the parade to help our group chop up and bedazzle our T-shirts, while still ensuring the logo we all needed for entry was visible.
I decided to go for a more ambitious transformation and turn my shirt into a skirt. You should also be mindful of your accessories. A small bag or fanny pack that you can keep in front of you is best to avoid any potential pickpocketing.
Also, be sure to embrace the Carnaval vibes with your makeup. Think: glitter, eye gems, and colorful makeup. The exact dates of Carnaval shift year to year, but the celebration lasts from Friday to Fat Tuesday the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
