Costumes, face paint, dancing in the streets: Brazilians celebrate carnival

A member of the Beija Flor samba school performs during the second night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Feb. 21, 2023. - The world's biggest carnival hit peak party level as Rio's top samba schools on Feb. 19 opened their annual parade competition in the giant avenue-turned-stadium known as the "Sambadrome."

A member of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school performs during the second night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Feb. 21, 2023.

A member of the Beija Flor samba school performs during the second night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Feb. 21, 2023. - The world's biggest carnival hit peak party level as Rio's top samba schools on February 19 opened their annual parade competition in the giant avenue-turned-stadium known as the "Sambadrome."

Revelers dressed as "Gilles", the oldest and principal participants in the Carnival of Binche in Belgium, take part in the parade in Binche on Feb. 21, 2023.

Revelers dressed as "Gilles", the oldest and principal participants in the Binche Carnival in Belgium, take part in the parade in Binche, on Feb. 21, 2023.

Members of Paraíso do Tuiuti perform during the 2023 Carnival parades at Marquês de Sapucaí Sambodrome on Feb. 20, 2023, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Revelers dressed as a "Pierrot" attend the Binche Carnival in Binche, on Feb. 21, 2023.

Member of the Estacao Primeira de Mangueira samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai in Rio de Janeiro on February 20, 2023.

Revelers on horseback take part in a traditional carnival parade in Bonfim, in Minas Gerais State, in southeastern Brazil, on February 19, 2023. Dressed in hand-embroidered velvet costumes, mounted on horses, people ride through the town with confetti and streamers in a tradition that dates back to the 18th century, turning the war between the Moors and Christians into a festival.

A reveler of the Aguia de Ouro samba school performs during the second night of carnival at the Sambadrome, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 19, 2023.

A reveller performs during a street party called Amigos Da Onca close to Flamengo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 18, 2023. Carnival is an annual Brazilian festival held the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period before Easter.

Revellers take part in a street party called Amigos Da Onca close to Flamengo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 18, 2023.

A reveller of the Rosas de Ouro samba school performs during the first night of carnival, at Sambadrome, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 18, 2023.

Queen of Percussion Mileide Mihaile of Indepente Tricolor performs during 2023 Carnival parades at Anhembi Sambodrome on February 17, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

A member of Unidos de Vila Maria performs during 2023 Carnival parades at Anhembi Sambodrome on February 17, 2023 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

King Momo (the symbol of carnival) Djeferson Mendes da Silva, 34, holds the keys to the city of Rio during the official opening ceremony at the City Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 17, 2023. Carnival is an annual Brazilian festival held the Friday afternoon before Ash Wednesday at noon, which marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period before Easter.

A reveler poses for a portrait during a street carnival parade of the "Loucura Suburbana" (Suburban Craziness) block at the Engenho de Dentro neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 16, 2023. The "Loucura Suburbana" street carnival group is organized by workers and patients of the Nise da Silveira Municipal Psychiatric Hospital. The parade starts inside the hospital and winds its way through the streets of the neighborhood.

A reveller dances during a street party called "Carmelitas" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 17, 2023. - Hundreds of street parties tradionally take place every year in the city before and during Rio de Janeiro's carnival.

Revellers attend a street party called "Carmelitas" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 17, 2023. - Hundreds of street parties tradionally take place every year in the city before and during Rio de Janeiro's carnival.

A reveller performs during a street party called "Carmelitas" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 17, 2023. Hundreds of street parties tradionally take place every year in the city before and during Rio de Janeiro's carnival.

Revellers during a street party called "Minha Luz e LED" (My light and LED), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 16, 2023. - The annual street party attracts thousands of people wearing LED lights on their costumes and take place every year in the city before and during Rio Carnival when the main samba schools will parade on 19 and 20 February 2023.