The Beija-Flor samba school has secured its position as the champion of Rio de Janeiro's renowned carnival parade competition for the 15th time. This year's festivities drew thousands to the expansive Sambadrome arena, where the top 12 samba schools showcased their electrifying performances, competing for the coveted title.
The winning performance by Beija-Flor was not only a showcase of talent but also a heartfelt tribute to its late director, Luiz Fernando Ribeiro do Carmo, known as Laíla, who passed away from COVID-19 in June 2021. Their presentation featured elaborate floats, spectacular pyrotechnics, and dancers adorned in devil-themed costumes, making it a memorable homage.
Judging the competition were 40 experts evaluating performances across ten categories. Beija-Flor narrowly edged out Grande Rio, which secured second place. Grande Rio's dancers closely observed the fierce competition as they prepared for their turn on stage.
Other standout schools included Paraíso do Tuiuti, whose dancers wowed the crowd with colorful feathers, and Vila Isabel, whose performers, dressed in ethereal white, provided a striking contrast to the vibrant displays typical of carnival.
Mocidade’s ambitious theme, "Back To The Future - There Are No Limits Dreaming," brought futuristic costumes and even a giant puppet to the parade, entertaining onlookers with innovative concepts. Coming in third was Imperatriz, showcasing revellers adorned in glimmering gold and white skulls.
Portela samba school paid special homage to legendary Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento, who delighted the audience with his presence at the parade. Although Unidos de Padre Miguel brought impressive floats, they ranked last this year and will not compete in the top tier for 2026, marking a significant change for the school.
As the festivities concluded, the city celebrated another successful carnival filled with passion, creativity, and a sense of community.
The winning performance by Beija-Flor was not only a showcase of talent but also a heartfelt tribute to its late director, Luiz Fernando Ribeiro do Carmo, known as Laíla, who passed away from COVID-19 in June 2021. Their presentation featured elaborate floats, spectacular pyrotechnics, and dancers adorned in devil-themed costumes, making it a memorable homage.
Judging the competition were 40 experts evaluating performances across ten categories. Beija-Flor narrowly edged out Grande Rio, which secured second place. Grande Rio's dancers closely observed the fierce competition as they prepared for their turn on stage.
Other standout schools included Paraíso do Tuiuti, whose dancers wowed the crowd with colorful feathers, and Vila Isabel, whose performers, dressed in ethereal white, provided a striking contrast to the vibrant displays typical of carnival.
Mocidade’s ambitious theme, "Back To The Future - There Are No Limits Dreaming," brought futuristic costumes and even a giant puppet to the parade, entertaining onlookers with innovative concepts. Coming in third was Imperatriz, showcasing revellers adorned in glimmering gold and white skulls.
Portela samba school paid special homage to legendary Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento, who delighted the audience with his presence at the parade. Although Unidos de Padre Miguel brought impressive floats, they ranked last this year and will not compete in the top tier for 2026, marking a significant change for the school.
As the festivities concluded, the city celebrated another successful carnival filled with passion, creativity, and a sense of community.
