Brazil warmed up for next month’s Rio Carnival with spectacular block parties as revellers took to the streets in preparation for the grandest celebration in the country.
Samba dancers, elaborate costumes and lots of feathers and glitter could be seen as delighted revellers took to the streets for the pre-Carnival Banda de Ipanema ‘bloco’, or block party.
Some people even went topless, covering themselves with paint as they celebrated on January 27.
The streets of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil were filled with elaborately dressed revellers as they warmed-up for next month’s world-famous Carnival
The pre-Carnival event is known as the Banda de Ipanema ‘bloco’, or block party, with parties held on the day referred to as ‘blocos’
There were fears that this year’s Carnival in Rio De Janeiro could be delayed or hampered.
These worries were based on a significant funding cut from Rio’s new Evangelical mayor.
Marcelo Crivella, a gospel singer and evangelical bishop who took office in January 2017, halved public funding for Rio’s 13 leading Samba schools, throwing doubt on the future of the Carnival.
Samba dancers, elaborate costumes and lots of feathers and glitter could be seen as delighted revellers took to the streets to mark the celebration
The revellers could be seen dressed as superheroes such as Wonderwoman, Spider man and famous characters such as those from Avatar
A lot of the revellers decided to go topless as they celebrated, with some using body paint to cover themselves
As well as the paint and costumes, partygoers wore elaborate hats and headpieces as they got into the party spirit
However, the ‘bloco’ party put to bed these fears in a spectacular and wild fashion.
In spite of a funding cut from Rio’s new Evangelical mayor, Carnival festivities clearly appear to be more or less on track.
Carnival is the grandest holiday in Brazil, annually drawing millions in raucous celebrations, with many of them dressed in the same way as the revellers from Saturday’s warm-up party.
The festival brings in an estimated $1 billion (£802 million).
There were fears that this year’s Carnival in Rio De Janeiro could be delayed or hampered after a significant funding cut from Rio’s new Evangelical mayor
Marcelo Crivella, a gospel singer and evangelical bishop who took office in January 2017, halved public funding for Rio’s 13 leading Samba schools
However, the ‘bloco’ parties put to bed these fears in a spectacular and wild fashion with the Carnival clearly appear to be more or less on track
A reveler, wearing a Wonder Woman costume, steps out from a bus as she arrives to the ‘Desliga da Justica’ block party
Although revellers can be seen dressed in elaborate and stunning costumes, a lot of people shun clothes almost completely for the celebration.
Instead, they use paint to cover their chests and faces as they enjoy the biggest party of the year.
Carnival culminates on Fat Tuesday before the start of the Catholic season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday.
A big part of the ‘bloco’ celebrations are the ‘Desliga da Justica’ carnival troupe who open the streets of Rio for the annual block parties
Hundreds join the ‘Desliga da Justica’ carnival troupe for celebrations in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, the month before the Carnival kicks off
In the ‘Desliga da Justica’ carnival troupe block parties, the costume theme is superheroes, encouraging party-goers to join them
In the photos, thousands of revellers can be seen taking to the streets for the pre-Carnival party.
A big part of the ‘bloco’ celebrations are the ‘Desliga da Justica’ carnival troupe.
The troupe is famous for opening the streets of Rio for the annual block parties the month before Carnival.
On the day of the parade, all the drummers and singers from the ‘Desliga da Justica’ are costumed for their ‘bloco’ party
Carnival culminates on Fat Tuesday before the start of the Catholic season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday
The Carnival begins next month when the symbolic Rio city keys are handed over to Rei Momo, the Carnival King
In the ‘Desliga da Justica’ carnival troupe block parties, the costume theme is superheroes, encouraging partygoers to join them dressed as their favourite caped heroes.
On the day of the parade, all the drummers and singers are costumed.
The troupe also uses a traffic controlling system to ensure that all goes well.
The country shuts down during the event, which runs until Thursday, as the streets empty and most businesses close to join in with the celebration
Revelers dressed in Spider-Man costumes strike a pose during the ‘Desliga da Justica’ block party in Rio
The Carnival begins when the symbolic Rio city keys are handed over to Rei Momo, the Carnival King.
The country shuts down during the event, which runs until Thursday, streets empty and most businesses are closed.
The glamorous and wild celebrations bring together the people of the city.
The festival brings in an estimated $1 billion (£802 million) to the city of Rio, attracting people from all over the world
Revelers celebrate during the pre-Carnival Banda de Ipanema ‘bloco’, held a month before the biggest party in Brazil