Crystabel Ukwuegbu
The six highest-ranking samba schools from Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival returned to the Sambadrome for a final showcase, dazzling the audience with extravagant costumes, electrifying performances, and the infectious rhythms of live samba music.
Leading the night’s festivities was Mangueira, which secured sixth place, while this year’s grand champion, Beija Flor de Nilópolis, closed the event with a triumphant display.
Beija Flor claimed the 2025 Carnival title with a parade dedicated to its late carnival director, Laila, who passed away in 2021. The win was especially meaningful for legendary samba singer and composer Neguinho da Beija-Flor, who announced his retirement after nearly 50 years as the school’s official interpreter.
A panel of judges evaluated the competing schools on various performance aspects before declaring the winner earlier in the week.
For many participants, the champions’ parade was a moment of celebration and recognition for months of dedication.
Thiago Alves, a performer from Mangueira Samba School, reflected on the achievement: “Returning for the champions’ parade confirms that all our hard work—the months of rehearsals—was worth it. Being among the top six is an incredible honor.”
Iris Giles, also from Mangueira, described the emotional experience of performing: “The moment I step onto the Sambadrome, I can’t describe the feeling. It’s like stepping into another world. The excitement is overwhelming—pure, indescribable joy.”
Rio’s premier samba competition, once held over two nights with six schools per evening, has evolved into a three-night spectacle, with four schools performing each night.
Since the 1980s, the Sambadrome has remained the beating heart of Brazil’s Carnival, where top samba schools compete in an extraordinary celebration of culture, music, and dance.
