The Carnival Parade at the Sambadrome (Samba Stadium) is the biggest and most glamorous show in the world. It is an event where the city’s numerous Samba schools vie for the position of Grand Champion. They are judged on their performance in a number of categories. The preparation for the Samba Parades starts with an anticipation of months. Every school is integrated of thousand of paraders, specially from the community which the school is stated, creating sections and wings that compose the school. First, the year samba song is elected in a contest that lasts a few months at the Samba Schools, while the Carnival Designer creates the costumes and floats. When everything is determined, the called prototypes are sent to the production line. In December, the rehearsals begin. In half December, the sambas de enredo (the year samba songs of every school) are recorded and sold at the stores.

The Rio de Janeiro Samba Parades are not like a street event, where people move however they want, instead, they are highly choreographed shows with huge proportions. Every parader has a specific role and place according to the costume in a special wing, in a special section that helps to reveal the school’s theme at the Avenue. 
Every year, each school choose a different theme to the parade. It can be a celebration, a historical event or famous characters of Brazilian history, a special event, a place or anything that moves the audience’s immagination: a special animal, or one of the elements like water or fire. The School has to develop and remain in the chosen theme during its parade. 
The Year Samba Songs are specially written for the parade year, according to the theme.
Every one of the floats and the Costumes of the Paraders (which may vary from 3.000 to 5.000) are richly decorated, revealing every detail thought by the Carnival Designer to the audience and the judges.
The costumes have a fantastic imaginary included, so, they are full of details and colors. They are true masterpieces, concepted out of nothing every year. They have mirrors, feathers, metallic fabric, silk and some of them may have jewels or coins. These costumes take months to be made. This work begins about eight months before Carnival.
Every school has its own colors (the flag colors) and costumes’ style. The colour pallete is reflected in many parts of the parade.
The most ellaborate costumes are worn by the parade’s highlights. They are selected members with the honor to wear these special costumes.
Even though full nudity is not allowed, sometimes the floats have people with quite few clothes or almost none. Men and women are there, wearing only body painting and lots of glow and a smile.
You can thing about this event like a big opera, or many operas, because there are many different themes in one night. Is a gorgeous concert, that will blow your mind and memories.