While Carnaval (Carnival in English) is celebrated globally, arguably no one does it better than the city of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro Carnaval is considered an official holiday––with more than seven million people gathering in the city streets.
Before we dive deeper, you may be wondering what is Brazil's Carnaval? During this four-day celebration, millions of revelers gather to enjoy music, dancing, show-stopping costumes, and elaborate parade floats. Some Brazilians even tease that the year doesn’t officially start until Carnaval does.
What is Carnaval in Brazil?
Beyond the brilliant visuals (and vibe), there’s a deeper meaning behind this global celebration. Traditionally, Carnaval is held the week leading up to Lent––a period of abstinence from life’s indulgences (think meat or alcohol). It’s often considered the last “hurrah” before the quiet, religious season that spans forty days until Easter Sunday.
Over time, the meaning of Carnaval has transitioned from a Catholic-central holiday to a highly anticipated global event that brings awareness to both historical and environmental issues via creative costumes, music, food, and more.
How Did Carnaval Start?
Carnaval evolved from Italy's pre-Lent carnivals, a festive time to say “Carne Vale” or “Goodbye to Meat” and mark the start of Lent's forty day fast. The joyous tradition made its way to Spain, France, and other European countries before crossing the ocean to the Americas. Eventually, it found a home in Portugal and Brazil, becoming the vibrant, samba-filled extravaganza we know and love today.
The Influence of Africa
While Carnaval has its roots in European traditions, Brazil Carnaval became heavily influenced by African culture once Brazil fell under Portuguese rule.
The influx of African culture brought the slave trade introduced new customs––including village parades, which are a ritual originally meant to chase away evil spirits. Over time, people began embracing costumes and masks. Feathers, a significant element in many African costumes, symbolize rebirth and have become integral to the modern Brazilian Carnaval, adding to its rich and diverse tapestry.
Samba in Brazil
Samba is a lively and joyful dance of Afro-Brazilian origin. During the 1600s slave trade in South America, enslaved people brought to Brazil their culture and passion for music––including samba which has become integral to the Brazilian Carnaval experience.
The Samba Schools of Brazil
In the early 1920s, samba gained huge popularity in Brazil. Fans of the music and dance began to form groups and clubs dedicated to it. These small social gatherings evolved into the movement that is still popular today.
As the spirit of samba grew, leaders of each samba school introduced friendly competitions. In 1932, the Samba School Parade made its grand debut and has since become a cornerstone of Carnaval. The Association of Schools of Samba City was also created, and today the legacy continues through the parades at Rio Carnaval.
Carnaval and Sol de Janeiro
As a Brazilian-inspired brand, Carnaval is ingrained in our DNA. It captures the joy, vibrancy, and energy that we imbue into each of our products. It’s a time when the world looks to Brazil and experiences the amazing spirit we share every day.
Join Sol de Janeiro at a Virtual Carnaval Parade!
Can’t make it to Rio? No worries, we’re bringing Carnaval to you! Now you can experience the excitement from the comfort of your couch with Roblox. As part of the Sol de Janeiro universe, you're invited to experience a digital version of the parade. Your Roblox avatar can visit our Carnaval Street where you’ll find NPC revelers, a float, as well as a limited-edition scavenger hunt and UGC item (while supplies last). You’ll even have the chance to purchase an exclusive dance emote action, so you can samba in the Sol de Janeiro universe––or anywhere else in the world of Roblox!
Getting Ready for the 2024 Rio Carnaval: Body Care Edition
No matter the time of year, you can capture the self-love spirit that’s so prevalent at Carnaval with Brazilian-inspired ingredients that give a confidence-boosting glow from the inside and out.
Brazil Nut
Prized in Brazil for centuries for its ability to strengthen the immune system, the Brazil nut is the most selenium-rich food in the world. It grows abundantly along the banks of the Amazon, Negro, and Tapejós Rivers. Selenium found in the Brazil nut helps support the skin’s natural ability to protect itself.
You can find Brazil nut in a number of our products, including our best-selling Brazilian Bum-Bum Cream. This visibly firming Body Cream helps support the skin's natural ability to protect itself while visibly firming.
Coconut Oil
Brazilians have been using Coconut Oil for centuries––long before it became trendy! Ultra-nourishing and replenishing, coconut oil melts quickly into your skin to soften, condition, and moisturize. We're big fans of this miracle ingredient, and you'll find it in many of our products, including our award-winning Bum Bum Body Scrub.
Cacay Oil
Native to South America, this natural retinol alternative is highly effective in supporting the cellular renewal process. It mimics the benefits of retinol without the common skin-irritating side effects. This cold-pressed oil drawn from the seeds of the cacay tree is profoundly nourishing and promotes the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Beija Flor Elasti-Cream is the secret to the bouncy, smooth skin you crave. This daily nourisher unites high-performing ingredients like cacay oil and plant collagen to deliver resilient, velvety-soft skin.
Cupuaçu Butter
Meet the Amazon’s response to shea butter. Cupuaçu butter is full of fatty acids, phytosterols, and polyphenols to lock in and quickly absorb moisture.
You can find cupuaçu butter in our Bom Dia Bright™ Body Cream, which gently exfoliates for smooth, clearer-looking skin. Smooth onto your skin daily for moisturizing and retexturizing benefits all over.
Getting Ready for the 2024 Rio Carnaval: Hair Edition
Whether you're attending Carnaval or living vicariously from home, it’s almost time to sing, dance, and samba. In all the fun, you’re likely to samba up a sweat, which can lead to frizz. Don’t forget to take care of your hair and maintain a glossy, gorgeous mane with these efficacious Brazilian-inspired ingredients.
Patauá Oil
Patauá is an omega fatty acid-rich oil that adds shine and restores hydration, making it perfect for taming dry, frizzy hair.
As you dance each night away, keep our best-selling Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Hair Oil on hand. It fights frizz for up to 72 hours*, adds mirror-like shine, repairs damage, and deeply moisturizes thick, thirsty strands.
Buriti Fruit Nut
The buriti fruit nut is found on palm trees that grow throughout central Brazil and the southern Amazon basin. Brimming with healthy fats, it helps smooth cuticles to fight frizz and strengthen dry, brittle hair. It’s a powerful ingredient in our Brazilian Joia™ Shampoo and Conditioner, which boasts a blend of hair-healthy Brazilian ingredients that help cleanse hair and add lightweight moisture without heaviness.
Tucumã Butter
Sourced from the fruit of the Brazilian Amazon tree, tucumã butter is a wonderful treat for both your skin and hair. Our best-selling Triple Brazilian Butter Hair Repair Treatment combines a medley of Brazilian butter, including tucumã, for intensive hydration, deep nourishment, and increased resistance to hair breakage.
Babaçu Oil
Originating in Brazil, babaçu oil is extracted from the kernels of the Babassu tree. It boasts a high moisture-retaining ability and doesn’t evaporate or break down easily. This healthy hair-boosting ingredient is found in our Brazilian Joia™ Milky Leave-In Conditioner, which is perfect for repairing split ends and protecting against heat damage.
Rio de Janeiro Carnaval 2024
Each year, we’re inspired by the rhythm of the samba, the colorful costumes, and the unity of Brazilians during Carnaval. And while you may have come here wondering When is the Carnaval in Brazil, or What happens in Brazil’s Carnaval?, we hope that after reading, you appreciate this celebration just as much as we do.
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to join the world’s biggest celebration virtually via Roblox and through our body care ingredients inspired by Brazil. Both capture the celebratory self-expression at the heart of Carnaval.
