Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2011

01. A reveller of the Vila Isabel samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Last night the world famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival procession was held once more in the Sambadrome. Thousands of revellers and spectators enjoyed a visual display of colors, dancers, floats, streamers and costumes all set to the sounds of samba music. It is one of the events around the world one should put on their bucket list. Simply totally cool.
Warning: some images display topless dancers.

02. A worker prepares a carnival float at Grande-Rio Samba School in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. The Rio de Janeiros's Carnival parade will held March 5-6. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

03. A man works while a fireman looks on at an improvised warehouse in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. Picture taken on March 1. The Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade will be held on March 5-6. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

04. A worker prepares a carnival float at Uniao da Ilha Samba School in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. The Rio de Janeiros's Carnival parade will held March 5-6. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

05. A worker prepares a carnival float at Unidos da Tijuca Samba School in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. The Rio de Janeiros's Carnival parade will held March 5-6. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

06. Uniao da Ilha Samba School members work next to a carnival float improvised warehouse in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. Picture taken on March 1. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

07. A worker sits next to a carnival float at an improvised warehouse in Rio de Janeiro March 1, 2011. The Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade will be held on March 5-6. Picture taken on March 1. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

08. Revellers participate in an annual block party known as Banda de Ipanema, one of the many carnival parties taking place in neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

09. Revellers participate in an annual block party known as Banda de Ipanema, one of the many carnival parties taking place in neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

10. A reveller participates in an annual block party known as Banda de Ipanema, one of the many carnival parties taking place in neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

11. Revellers touch up their make-up during an annual block party known as the Banda de Ipanema, one of the many carnival parties taking place in neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

12. A young reveller has her picture taken in front of a float that is being prepared for the first night of the Carnival parade of samba schools, in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

13. Children play in front of a float that is being prepared for the first night of the Carnival parade of samba schools, in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

14. A young reveller pauses on a bridge under which floats are arriving for the first night of the Carnival parade of samba schools, in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

15. A reveller arrives for the first night of the Carnival parade of samba schools in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes