CARNAVAAAAAALLL!

Bookers International LLC

Rio de Janeiro's famous Carnaval is a five-day celebration marked by parades (in which samba teams compete in the Sambadrome) and street parties ~ a last big blow-out, if you will, before the comparatively somber, abstemious days of Lent. This year, it's all happening Feb. 28 to March 4, with the Parade of Champions taking place on March 8: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/brazil/10628787/Rio-Carnival-2014-details-and-guide.html
   This year's may be the biggest party yet (slideshow): http://www.bbc.com/travel/slideshow/20140228-the-biggest-carnival-to-date