Carnival 2026 samba queens set Rio ablaze in jaw-dropping costumes: PHOTOS
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The vibrant spectacle of the Rio Carnival, a highlight of Brazil’s cultural festivities, took center stage on Carnival Sunday, February 15, 2026. This year, the iconic Sambadrome became a dazzling arena as samba schools showcased their creativity with stunning costumes and elaborate floats, each vying for glory in what is the festival’s most thrilling evening.

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A reveller from the Portela samba school performs. REUTERS

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Members of Academicos de Niteroi perform. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Portela samba school. AFP via Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A member of Estação Primeira de Mangueira. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Members of Academicos de Niteroi perform. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A performer from the Portela samba school. AP

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A member of Estação Primeira de Mangueira performs. Getty Images

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A member of Estação Primeira de Mangueira performs. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school. AFP via Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Brazilian actress Adriane Galisteu performs. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A member of Portela flies on a drone. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Drum Queen Vanessa Rangeli from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Mangueira samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Portela samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A member of Portela performs. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Mangueira samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller from the Portela samba school. REUTERS

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A reveller of the Mangueira samba school. AFP via Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A member of Imperatriz Leopoldinense performs. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
A member of Estação Primeira de Mangueira. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Members of Portela perform. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Members of Portela perform. Getty Images

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The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil’s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration’s most anticipated and electrifying night.
Members of Portela perform. Getty Images
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