carnival balls, also called carnival bailes, galas, or dances, are private parties and celebrations based on european tradition, and taking place in rio over the carnival period.

understanding the origin of carnival balls' costumes, and what role they played as opposed to blocos' costumes, can much enrich the overall carnival experience.

events originally available exclusively to the upper class, today carnival dances are accessible to everyone.

to this day, all of these galas have in common elaborate and expensive costumes, often accompanied by a mask.

the mask, however, was originally the most important and distinctive social element of the carnival baile's costumes, as it allowed higher society to briefly behave in a different way, and even break some of the social rules of the period.