march is a special month in rio, as on march 1st, the foundation of the city of rio de janeiro celebrates andré gonçalves' discovery in january 1502 of what was thought to be the estuary of a river ('rio') but that instead was the bay that is now home to the city.

depending on the year, march also sees the carnival celebrations take place, prolonging the carioca summer until the end of it.

in march, street art is also on the calendar on March 27th, when rio de janeiro celebrates street artists with the Day of the Graffiti.