{"id":135311,"date":"2026-02-16T18:05:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/135311\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T18:05:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T18:05:34","slug":"carnival-2026-samba-queens-set-rio-ablaze-in-jaw-dropping-costumes-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/135311\/","title":{"rendered":"Carnival 2026 samba queens set Rio ablaze in jaw-dropping costumes: PHOTOS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 15, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t1 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.66666667;display:block\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38507017\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-portela-samba-school-performs-121453224.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38507017\"  \/>A reveller from the Portela samba school performs. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" data-modal-image=\"38507018\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/members-academicos-de-niteroi-perform-121448828.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38507018 unset-max-height\"  \/>Members of Academicos de Niteroi perform. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"8256\" height=\"5504\" data-modal-image=\"38506353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-portela-samba-school-performs-121453937.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506353 unset-max-height\"  \/>A reveller from the Portela samba school. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t4 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.66675;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506356\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-academicos-de-niteroi-samba-121445732.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506356\"  \/>A reveller from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t5 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506343\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-esta-o-primeira-de-121461362.jpg\" alt=\" The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506343 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Esta\u00e7\u00e3o Primeira de Mangueira. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t6 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" data-modal-image=\"38506355\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/members-academicos-de-niteroi-perform-121453441.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506355 unset-max-height\"  \/>Members of Academicos de Niteroi perform. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t7 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4500\" height=\"3000\" data-modal-image=\"38506352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/performer-portela-samba-school-parades-121455693.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506352 unset-max-height\"  \/>A performer from the Portela samba school. AP<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t8 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38507113\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-esta-o-primeira-de-121485761.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38507113 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Esta\u00e7\u00e3o Primeira de Mangueira performs. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t9 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38507112\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-esta-o-primeira-de-121485771.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38507112 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Esta\u00e7\u00e3o Primeira de Mangueira performs. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t10 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6203\" height=\"4135\" data-modal-image=\"38506359\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-imperatriz-leopoldinense-samba-school-121449012.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506359 unset-max-height\"  \/>A reveller of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t11 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.8;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"472\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-carnival-parades-sapucai-sambodrome-121458698.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506345\"  \/>Brazilian actress Adriane Galisteu performs. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t12 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.79980469;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506380\" width=\"472\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-portela-performs-2026-121458817.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506380\"  \/>A member of Portela flies on a drone. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t13 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.66666667;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506357\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/drum-queen-vanessa-rangeli-academicos-121445036.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506357\"  \/>Drum Queen Vanessa Rangeli from the Academicos de Niteroi samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t14 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.75328947;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"444\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-mangueira-samba-school-performs-121457970.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506350\"  \/>A reveller from the Mangueira samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t15 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5500\" height=\"3667\" data-modal-image=\"38506348\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-portela-samba-school-performs-121453969.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506348 unset-max-height\"  \/>A reveller from the Portela samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t16 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" data-modal-image=\"38506351\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-portela-performs-2026-121458961.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506351 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Portela performs. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t17 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7573502;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"447\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506346\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-mangueira-samba-school-performs-121458081.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506346\"  \/>A reveller from the Mangueira samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t18 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.73039216;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"431\" height=\"590\" data-modal-image=\"38506347\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-portela-samba-school-performs-121456101.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506347\"  \/>A reveller from the Portela samba school. REUTERS<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t19 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506338\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/reveller-mangueira-samba-school-performs-121476343.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506338 unset-max-height\"  \/>A reveller of the Mangueira samba school. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t20 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"8192\" height=\"5464\" data-modal-image=\"38506358\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-imperatriz-leopoldinense-performs-2026-121450686.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506358 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Imperatriz Leopoldinense performs. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t21 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506342\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-esta-o-primeira-de-121461322.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506342 unset-max-height\"  \/>A member of Esta\u00e7\u00e3o Primeira de Mangueira. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t22 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506337\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/members-portela-perform-2026-121459283.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506337 unset-max-height\"  \/>Members of Portela perform. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t23 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"38506340\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-portela-performs-2026-121459134.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506340 unset-max-height\"  \/>Members of Portela perform. Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t24 of 24\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" data-modal-image=\"38506391\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/member-portela-performs-2026-121459111.jpg\" alt=\"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February 16, 2026. Held at the famed Sambadrome, samba schools paraded in dazzling costumes and towering floats, competing in the celebration\u2019s most anticipated and electrifying night.\" class=\"wp-image-38506391 unset-max-height\"  \/>Members of Portela perform. Getty Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Rio Carnival, the crown jewel of Brazil\u2019s cultural calendar, exploded into full spectacle on Carnival Sunday, February&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":135312,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[9368,2774,25246,9,24,63,51060,273,122,124,123,57496],"class_list":{"0":"post-135311","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-queens","8":"tag-slideshow","9":"tag-brazil","10":"tag-carnival","11":"tag-new-york","12":"tag-new-york-city","13":"tag-nyc","14":"tag-nypost","15":"tag-parades","16":"tag-queens","17":"tag-queens-headlines","18":"tag-queens-news","19":"tag-rio-de-janeiro"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135311"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135311\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/135312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}