# Flames, feathers and fangs: Rio Carnival parade in pictures

6 March 2025

**The Beija-Flor samba school has been crowned winner of Rio de Janeiro's celebrated carnival parade competition.**

Thousand gathered at the city's giant Sambadrome arena to watch the top 12 samba schools battle it out for this year's title.

Beija-Flor was crowned winner on Wednesday for the 15th time, narrowly beating second-placed Grande Rio.

Its performance was an homage to its late director, Luiz Fernando Ribeiro do Carmo, better known as Laíla, who died in June 2021 with Covid-19.

While the overarching theme of Beija-Flor's parade was a tribute to its late director, it also featured floats with pyrotechnic displays and dancers dressed as devils.


Mauro Pimental / AFP

The performances are judged over 10 categories by a total of 40 judges.

One of the top 12 samba schools competing for the title was Paraíso do Tuiuti, whose dancers paraded in exuberant feathers.


Pilar Olivares / Reuters

Among the incredible variety of costumes and performances, Vila Isabel's ghosts clad completely in white were a counterpoint to the kaleidoscopic costumes typical of Rio's carnival.


Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

Performers from the Grande Rio samba school, which came a close second behind Beija-Flor, kept a watchful eye on the parade.


Wagner Meier / Getty Images

Mocidade delighted spectators with a giant puppet.


Getty Images

Many of the Mocidade's dancers wore futuristic costumes, inspired by its theme song, which this year was entitled Back To The Future - There Are No Limits Dreaming.


Tita Barros / Reuters

Imperatriz came third this year with a parade which included revellers adorned with gold and white skulls.


Andre Coelho / EPA

Portela samba school paid tribute to the legendary Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento. The 82-year-old singer-songwriter waved at the crowd during the parade.


Antonio Lacerda / EPA

Despite their impressive floats, Unidos de Padre Miguel came last this year and therefore will not be competing in the top tier in 2026.


Andre Coelho / EPA

_All photographs are subject to copyright._




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