Top samba schools take to Sambadrome for Rio Carnival's final night

The six top-scoring samba schools from Rio’s Carnival returned to the Sambadrome for one final parade, showcasing their elaborate costumes and live samba music.

Carnival always breathes life into the economy of Vila Vintem, a favela on Rio de Janeiro’s west side, but this year the pulse is even stronger with its Unidos de Padre Miguel samba school returning to the top samba parade league for the first time in almost 60 years.

Last year, competing in the second division, Padre Miguel received about $150,000 from City Hall, missing out on the lucrative sponsorship deals and revenue from television rights, pre-Carnival parties and ticket sales enjoyed by top-flight samba schools. But their victory in last year’s Carnival secured their place in the main event that kicked off Sunday night.