There are two major parades in the city of Rio de Janeiro, one on each side of the beach - The terrestrial parade by thousands of military men, officers of the law and even the firefighters, who take their march down some of the most important carioca district, from rio branco avenue of to the  Largo da Carioca.

in parallel, starting at 9 am, On the beautiful turquoise waters facing the beaches of the south-west zone and of the south zone, some of the most impressive vessels in the Brazilian naval Force create a spectacle, cruising through the waterfront for thousands of viewers, both local and foreign.

Military helicopters are also involved in this celebration, and while bathers and sun-bathers enjoy the holiday, these air benders will carry out air acrobatics  and fly a flag across the sky-high parade.