Feathers, fringing and a vibrant spectrum of colours: The best photos from Rio Carnival's opening weekend

The annual spectacular kicked off in typically opulent fashion in the Brazilian city on Friday

Members of the Mangueira samba school perform during the first night of Rio's carnival parade on February 23, 2020. AFP

A reveller of Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school performs at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro. Reuters

Revellers of Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of the parade. Reuters

Dance is a huge aspect of the annual festival. Getty Images

Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil. Getty Images

The carnival is held every year in the lead-up to Lent. Getty Images

Members of Estacio de Sa samba school parade in the Sambadrome. EPA

The year's event will finish on Wednesday, February 26. EPA

Members of Mangueira samba school parade during Carnival 2020. EPA

Members of Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school put on a show with golden floats. EPA

The elaborate costumes are a highlight of the street parades. EPA

A reveller of Grande Rio samba school performs. Reuters

A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades on a float. AP

A reveller of Grande Rio samba school performs near an illustration of Britain's Queen Elizabeth. Reuters

A member of the Grande Rio samba school performs during the first night of Rio's carnival. AFP

A member of the Grande Rio samba school performs with great emotion. AFP

Members of Mangueira samba school parade through the streets. EPA

Members of Estacio de Sa samba school performed high-octane feats. EPA

Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform. AFP

Members of Estacio de Sa samba school parade in the Sambadrome. EPA

Performances lit up the night's sky. AFP

Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform. AFP

Myriad samba schools compete during the event. AFP

Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of Rio's carnival parade. AFP

The carnival is typically awash with colours, sights and sounds. AFP

The Grande Rio samba school took costume inspiration from the jungle. AFP

A member of the Grande Rio samba school dressed up in opulent green feathers. AFP

Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform on February 23. AFP

Members of the Grande Rio samba school parade with floats during the first night of Rio's carnival parade. AFP

Members of the Grande Rio samba school perform during the first night of Rio's carnival parade. AFP

A reveller of Uniao da Ilha samba school gestures while riding a float during the first night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome. Reuters

It's arguably the highlight of Brazil's events calendar, bringing millions of spectators to the seaside city of Rio de Janeiro.

And this year's Rio Carnival is in full swing, with celebrations kicking off with parades aplenty on Friday.

The celebrations, which will continue until Wednesday, February 26, include samba performances from myriad dance schools, parades, floats and parties through the city's streets, with participants dressed in flamboyant, colour-laden costumes.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the best pictures from Rio Carnival 2020's opening weekend.

The carnival, which attracts up to two million people to Rio's streets each day of its programme, is held every day in the lead-up to Lent.

The celebration dates back to the 1600s, and was originally devised as a food festival, though became synonymous with samba from the 1920s onwards.

Many of the carnival's events are now ticketed, with the samba displays held at Rio's concrete arena known as the Sambadrome.