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In Pictures: Stunning costumes and nonstop street parties at Brazil Carnival

The world’s biggest street party lasts for five days.

By contributor Associated Press reporters
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Raquel Poti performs on stilts during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro (Bruna Prado/AP)

Carnival celebrations returned to Brazilian cities with glittery, outrageous costumes, samba rhythms ringing out until dawn and hundreds of raucous roaming parties flooding the streets.

Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Carnival King Momo, Danilo Vieira, receives the key of the city from Mayor Eduardo Paes during a ceremony officially kicking off Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)
A carnival reveller dancing
A reveller dances during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party (Bruna Prado/AP)
Brazil Carnival revellers
The street party was one of scores of events in Rio (Bruna Prado/AP)
APTOPIX Brazil Carnival
Dancers from the Colorado do Bras samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo (Andre Penner/AP)

The world’s biggest street party lasts for five days in Brazilian cities, attracting visitors from around the world.

A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performing
The Colorado do Bras samba school was one of several companies to perform (Andre Penner/AP)
A dancer from the Colorado do Bras samba school performing
Sao Paulo saw a host of colourful costumes (Andre Penner/AP)
Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performing in Sao Paulo
Dancers from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school perform during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo (Andre Penner/AP)
A dancer during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo
Colour, sounds and sunshine were the order of the day (Andre Penner/AP)
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs on a float
A dancer from the Mocidade Unida da Mooca samba school performs on one of the many colourful floats (Andre Penner/AP)
Brazil Carnival dancer in feathered costume
Extravagant costumes were on display in several Brazilian cities (Andre Penner/AP)
Performers at a ceremony to kick off the carnival in Rio
On top of the world – performers get the party started in Rio (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)
Brazil Carnival dancer in blue headdress
Music and dancing filled the streets of Rio de Janeiro (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)

Dozens of dogs in fancy dress gathered at a carnival street party as their owners protested against cruelty to pets.

A dog dressed in a spotty hat and ruff
One dog enjoys the attention during the Blocao Carnival dog parade in Rio de Janeiro (Silvia Izquierdo/AP)
APTOPIX Bolivia Carnival Dogs
A dog named Bendy dressed up as the carnival personality Chola during a pet parade in La Paz (Juan Karita/AP)