BRAZIL'S CARNIVALS BURST INTO LIFE WITH A DASH OF CELEBRITY AS FIVE DAY PARTY GETS STARTED ON THE STREETS OF RIO DE JANEIRO

Back to: Brazil's carnivals burst into life with a dash of celebrity as five day party gets started on the streets of Rio de Janeiro

The festivities kicked off yesterday in Rio where thousands of people following spontaneous

 street parades.

Performers in the Sambadrome

 

A reveler of Unidos de Vila Maria samba school performs during the second night of 

Carnival parades at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo

The events are expected to draw 1.1m tourist and generate some $650m for the

local economy

Revelers of Gavioes da Fiel samba school perform atop a float during the second night of 

Carnival parades

A reveler of Tom Maior samba school performs

A reveler of Tom Maior samba school performs

Performers in the Sambadrome

Another elaborate costume on a performer in the Sambadrome

A risqué outfit in the Sambadrome

Performers in the Sambadrome

Performers in the Sambadrome

Performers in the Sambadrome

Performers in the Sambadrome

Rio de Janeiro's carnival celebrations have burst into life as hundreds of thousands of revellers took to the streets to enjoy street parties and parades across the country.

Celebrities ranging from global phenomenon Korean popstar Psy, to US actress Megan Fox are taking part in the celebrations in  Rio de Janeiro and elsewhere.

For Brazil, Carnival 2013 is seen as a significant test of the country's infrastructure ahead of the Olympic Games to be held there in 2016, and before that the World Cup in 2014.

The festivities kicked off yesterday in Rio where thousands of people following spontaneous street parades.

The carnivals have a muted feel to them this year following the nightclub fire in southern Brazil last month that killed 238 people.

President Dilma Rousseff has said she is not taking any part in the five-day party, spending it instead in Bahia state as mourning rituals continue across the country.

More than 60 victims of the fire remain in hospital.

Over 700 carnival processions will make their way through parts of Rio and the events are expected to draw 1.1m tourist and generate some $650m for the local economy.