The beautiful land of Brazil hosts one of the most celebrated events on the planet, the Rio Carnival, a weeklong celebration leading up to the holiday of Lent in the Christian calendar. Known as the Greatest Show on Earth, thousands of visitors from all over the world flock to Rio to experience parades with the mesmerizing beats of the samba drums, and most importantly, costumed samba dancers in attire ranging from the intricately designed to the outrageous. While carnival parties are held throughout the city, the main action takes place at the Sambadrome where twelve Samba schools strut their stuff at the Samba Parade. This is the result of a year's hard work of creating a theme, a samba song, and plenty of handmade costumes.