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Feb 21, 2023 - World

In photos: Brazil's Carnival is back in full force

Astrid Galván
A woman in a birght green and blue dress has her arms outstretched during Carnival in Brazil. She's surrounded by dancers in bright clothing

A member of the Estação Primeira de Mangueira samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20. Photo: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images

After the pandemic delayed and watered down last year's Carnival festival in Brazil, the party is back in full force.

Driving the news: The AP reports that 46 million people are expected to join the festivities, which officially began Friday to mark the beginning of Lent in the Catholic Church and will end Saturday with the crowning of a winning samba school in Rio's Sambódromo. Check out photos from the events.

A woman in full Carnival gear, with a pink headress that is several feet high, leans forward during a dance
A performer from the Estação Primeira de Mangueira samba school performs during the first night of Rio's Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Feb. 20. Photo: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images
A drumline in shiny and encrusted white outfits play their drums during Carnival in Brazil
Drummers at the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20. Photo: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images
A woman with face paint smiles with her tongue out
A reveler smeared with mud participates in the Unidos do Barro Preto block parade, whose name refers to the neighborhood where the parade passes, during Carnival celebrations in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on Feb. 20. Photo: Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty Images
A woman has other people's hands on her upper chest as she smiles and looks to the side during carnival in brazil
Revelers smear mud on as they participate in the Unidos do Barro Preto block parade, whose name refers to the neighborhood where the parade passes, during Carnival celebrations in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on Feb. 20. Photo: Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty Images
A group of Brazilian dancers wearing elaborate red costumes dances during carnival
Members of the Beija Flor samba school perform during the second night of Rio's Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 21. Photo: Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images
An elaborate and colorful parade float with dancers during Brazil's carnival
Members of the Vila Isabel samba school perform at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20. Photo: Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images
Several colorful floats are shown from above during Brazil's carnival parade
A float from the Vila Isabel samba school during the second night of Rio's Carnival parade at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaíin Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20. Photo: Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images
A woman smiles while dressed in an elaborate costume with gold and blue details and blue wings
Members of the Vila Isabel samba school perform at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 20. Photo: Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images
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