From the official Sambodrome spectacular to the local drag queens partying on the streets, the Rio carnival is still the greatest show on earth . . . 
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In the popular imagination the Rio Carnival is a riot of anarchic colour and movement and sound. But pageantry on such a grand scale doesn't just happen. The official Carnival parade that takes place in the Sambodrome every February is no free-for-all street carnival but a tightly choreographed spectacular featuring people and floats from the official Samba Schools all competing for the ultimate prize. As Antonino Bartuccio's images from the 2009 Carnival show, this is the 'Greatest Show on Earth' and it doesn't come cheap - tickets for the most coveted positions, the Camarotes (or mezzanine boxes) will set you back up to a thousand pounds. But you can still find what some would consider the true spirit of Carnival away from Apotheosis Square. The Carioca Carnival is the street festival which attracts most locals. And if you're looking for something a little more left-field then the parade of the Banda de Ipanema is the Carnival event for you. Started by a group of friends in the 1960s, at some point (no one seems to know when or, indeed, why) the Banda started to attract drag queens and they now parade three times during Carnival, stopping traffic, hopping on to buses, kissing the drivers and generally letting their hair down. And because it's free and open to all, you can even join in the fun - if you're brave enough.
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