there are four major parts to the contemporary carnaval, all building into one another and creating an unique synergy of festivities.

most famously, the parades of the world-renown samba schools competing at the sambódromo, an oscar neimyer-designed, purpose-built open-air amphitheater on avenida trinta e um de março which after its remodel in anticipation of the 2016 olympics now seats 90,000 people.

then, the multitude of spontaneous, organized, and semi-organized street parties (known as blocos) that spring up in every neighborhood and on every corner, drawing neighbor and traveler alike into the all-encompassing embrace of the samba rhythm.