in a city that is so socially, economically, and culturally diverse, these festivities erase all boundaries and differences, uniting all people under a shared desire for excitement, pleasure and happiness, in true carioca spirit.

every year, seven weeks before easter sunday, carnival celebrations are held in rio de janeiro - normally in february, carnival can also be in march.   

carnival's dates change every year, but they are not arbitrary, all catholic holidays are calculated based on the date of easter, including carnival - in fact, carnival happens in exactly 47 days before easter sunday, which in turn is always the first full-moon sunday, calculated from march 21st.