Rio carnival revellers take to the streets - in pictures

People gather in the streets during the carnival in Recife, Brazil Photograph: Jose Otavio de Souza/Getty Images

Topless activists of the women's rights group Femen Brazil stage a protest at Rio de Janeiro's international airport Tom Jobim. They are protesting against 'tourist sex' which they claim rises by about 30% with the arrival of European tourists for the carnival Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images

Drummers from the Mancha Verde samba school perform during a parade in Sao Paulo Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

Revellers dressed as smurfs take part at the annual block party known as 'Cordao do Bola Preta', one of the many carnival parties to take place in the neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

A dancer from the samba school Aguila de Ouro special group takes part in a parade at the 'sambodromo' of Anhembi in Sao Paulo Photograph: Sebastiao Moreira/EPA

US film-maker Spike Lee covers his ears as he directs the filming of Afro-Brazilian cultural group Olodum as part of his documentary project titled Go Brazil Go, during a street party Photograph: Lunae Parracho/Reuters

A dancer from Afro-Brazilian cultural group Olodum takes a breather during a street party in Salvador da Bahia Photograph: Lunae Parracho/Reuters

Revellers take part in the Cordao do Bola Preta traditional carnival band parade along Rio Branco Avenue, in downtown Rio Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images

A float of Dragoes da Real samba school parades in front of spectators during the first night of the carnival Photograph: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images

Dancers from the Dragoes da Real samba school Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

A pregnant dancer from the X-9 Paulistana samba school Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

Performers dance on a towering float Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

Members of Rosas de Ouro Samba group participate in the parade of the schools of samba Photograph: Marcos Mendez/Corbis

A float loaded with people makes its way through the streets Photograph: Imago/Barcroft Media

Revellers enjoy the Cordao do Bola Preta traditional carnival band parade along Rio Branco Avenue in downtown Rio Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty Images