Thousands of samba dancers have been seen partying in Brazil for the opening of the city's world-famous carnival.
The country's 12 top samba schools kicked off the annual parade competition in the giant avenue-turned-stadium known as the 'Sambadrome' in Sau Paulo.
At the two-night competition, the samba schools battle for the title of parade champions with dazzling floats, thundering music, and thousands of singers, drummers and dancers in revealing, jewel-encrusted, feather-covered costumes.
At least 70,000 spectators will cheer them on from the packed stands of the city's designated parade venue, with millions more expected to watch live on TV.
Revelers of the Aguia de Ouro samba school perform during the second night of carnival
Invented a century ago by the descendants of African slaves, samba is one of the great symbols of Brazilian popular culture, and of Rio.
Each samba school has 60 to 70 minutes to dazzle its way down the 700 meters (yards) of the Marques de Sapucai, the avenue through the concrete carnival parade temple designed by modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer.
A jury will judge each school down to the minutest detail, with potentially devastating fractions of points deducted for being out of sync, running overtime or lacking flair.
Carnival is also big business for Rio: the party is expected to generate 5.3 billion reais (more than $1 billion) in revenues this year.
Although the parade contest is the climax, Rio has in fact been celebrating carnival for weeks with free-for-all street parties known as "blocos."
A colorful crowd of revelers descended on the iconic beach neighborhood of Ipanema on Saturday.
Pictured: Drum Queen Paolla Oliveira from Grande Rio samba school
Pictured: Members of the 'Unidos da Tijuca' samba school parade on their brightly coloured sea-themed float
Pictured: A member of Mocidade performs in a green and yellow costume in the Sambadrome
A member of the Salgueiro samba school performs during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome
Drum queen Paola Oliveira from Grande Rio samba school
A giant pink unicorn
Members of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform
A reveller from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school, dressed as a lizard
Members of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school parade
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