RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The world’s biggest party is back as Carnival celebrations return to Brazil with glittery, outrageous costumes, samba rhythms ringing out until dawn and hundreds of raucous roaming parties flooding the streets.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Revelers attend the Carmelitas street party on the first official day of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers attend the Carmelitas street party on the first official day of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Raquel Poti performs on stilts during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Raquel Poti performs on stilts during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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Performers attend a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Performers attend a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Revelers cheer during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Revelers cheer during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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Revelers performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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A dog wears a cardboard soccer net costume during the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dog wears a cardboard soccer net costume during the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Owners and their pets pose for a photo at the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Owners and their pets pose for a photo at the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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A dog wears a lion’s mane headpiece during the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A dog wears a lion’s mane headpiece during the “Blocao” Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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A reveler dances during the “Cordao do Boitata” street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler dances during the “Cordao do Boitata” street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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A reveler smiles during the “Ceu na Terra” or “Heaven on Earth” pre-Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A reveler smiles during the “Ceu na Terra” or “Heaven on Earth” pre-Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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Afro-Brazilian Baianas perform during “Lavagem,” a pre-carnival ritual meant to deliver luck and a positive spirit as well as clean and bless the Sambadrome, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Afro-Brazilian Baianas perform during “Lavagem,” a pre-carnival ritual meant to deliver luck and a positive spirit as well as clean and bless the Sambadrome, during pre-Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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A reveler celebrates during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A reveler celebrates during the Mud Block carnival party in Paraty, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
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A sex worker dances during a pre-Carnival street party in the Vila Mimosa red-light district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
A sex worker dances during a pre-Carnival street party in the Vila Mimosa red-light district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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Revelers dressed as flamingos pose a photos during the “Cordao do Boitata” street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers dressed as flamingos pose a photos during the “Cordao do Boitata” street pre-carnival party in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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Revelers cool off in the waters of Flamengo beach during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Revelers cool off in the waters of Flamengo beach during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
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