The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is known around the world and may rightly call itself the "greatest show on Earth." During the 5-day festivities, beginning this Friday and lasting until Ash Wednesday next week, thousands of colorfully dressed dancers' parade through the Sambadrome, a large, open-air venue, while millions more take to the streets for the famous so-called Blocos, meaning street parties.

According to the city of Rio de Janeiro, an estimated 7 million people are out celebrating during Carnival — and quite naturally they spend a lot of money. Carnival in Rio is not just a cultural phenomenon, it's become a money-spinner for the entire Brazilian economy.

No matter whether it's exotic feathers, glittering costumes, or colorful masks — anyone walking through the streets of Brazil's biggest city in the days leading up to Carnival can't miss the countless stalls selling festive accessories.

Speaking to DW, Mariele, a street vendor selling her wares from a pop-up stall, says that most of her customers "buy things on impulse, on their way to work or school."

Carnival means big business for the city of Rio, which according to official municipal data, garnered nearly $870 million (€840 million) in revenue from the festival in 2024.

On a nationwide basis, Carnival in Brazil this year is expected to add about 12.1 billion reais ($2.06 billion, €2 billion) to the country's economy,

© Deutsche Welle