Sao Paulo Carnival

Carnival in São Paulo

Carnival is a world famous Brazilian street party. Every year the party begins on the Saturday, 40 days before Lent. For example in 2005 the Carnival was held from February 5th through to the 8th. During these four days of non-stop partying you'll see many carefully decorated parade floats, loud Brazilian music, and exotic costumes. This event occurs throughout the entire country of Brazil.

São Paulo celebrates Carnival just like many other cities in Brazil. The Carnival in São Paulo is held in the Sambodromo, which can hold up to 30,000 cheering fans. One in every 3 televisions in Brazil is watching the Carnival parade on television, excited to see the new themes, costumes, and dances for the year. The top samba schools from São Paulo also take place, including Vai Vai, Camisa Verde e Branco, and Rosas de Ouro.

Carnival is a time for the samba schools to compete against each other and be the Carnival Champions on the street of the Sambodromo. Each school has around 3,000 participants of all ages who must go from one end of the street to the other with non-stop singing and dancing. The schools are awarded points for their organization, music, timing, visual appearance, and more. Even if you do not become the Carnival Champions, it's important to place well because the bottom two schools are eliminated from next years competition! This allows new schools to compete the following year.

My Experience

The Carnival in São Paulo was amazing! I went down to the Sambodromo and watched two of the samba schools preform. I watched as Vai Vai paraded down the long street of the Sambodromo, singing, dancing, and cheering - the smiles on their faces stretching from ear to ear. This night was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I was enjoying myself so much that before long I found myself singing along with the music. There's so much excitement in the air, I felt as if the parade swallowed me up. It was as if I, along with all the other spectators, were part of the parade. Everyone is singing and dancing, the only difference is that the spectators are not in costume. I had such a great time during the Carnival that I am already planning a return visit for the 2011 Carnival in Sao Paulo!

Hotels in Sao Paulo        Sao Paulo Hotels Sao Paulo is located in the south-eastern corner of Brazil, in the state of Sao Paulo. This great city is particularly famous for Paulista Avenue; its magnificent churches, museums, and cultural events; its soccer teams; and the São Paulo Carnival. Search for Brazil Hotels