Carnival begins across Brazil

Dancers from the Gavioes da Fiel samba school perform during a parade in Sao Paulo.

(Andre Penner / Associated Press)

Feb. 25, 2017 12:01 PM PT

Many of this year’s Carnival celebrations highlight Brazil’s racial diversity and regional differences.

A reveler smiles wide as he takes part in the Galo da Madruga, or the Morning Rooster, parade in downtown Recife, in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. The Galo da Madrugada took to the streets for the first time in 1975 with the aim of rescuing the traditional Carnival of Recife.

(Eraldo Peres / Associated Press)

Revelers of the Aguia de Ouro samba school perform at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo.

(Nelson Almeida / AFP/Getty Images)

Pooches get in the act too at the Blocao dog parade in Rio de Janeiro.

(Silvia Izquierdo / Associated Press)