Paraty's Carnival Celebration in Southern Brazil Revolves Around Mud

The annual festival features colorful costumes, music, and a focus on the region's natural resources.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Carnival celebrations in Paraty, Brazil, a town in the southern part of the country, are known for their focus on the region's natural resources, particularly mud. Unlike the more well-known Carnival festivities in Rio de Janeiro, which feature elaborate costumes and lots of glitter, the Paraty Carnival revolves around embracing the local mud and using it as a key part of the celebrations.

Why it matters

The Paraty Carnival is a unique cultural event that highlights the town's connection to its natural environment. By centering the celebrations around mud, the festival celebrates the region's resources and encourages participants to engage with the land in a hands-on way, rather than focusing solely on extravagant costumes and decorations.

The details

During the Paraty Carnival, revelers cover themselves in the local mud, using it as a form of body paint and costume decoration. The mud is sourced from the nearby rivers and beaches, and its use is seen as a way to connect with the land and honor the region's natural resources. In addition to the mud, the festival also features traditional music, dancing, and other cultural elements that are unique to the Paraty area.

  • The Paraty Carnival takes place annually in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday.
  • The 2026 Paraty Carnival celebrations are scheduled for February 14-18.

The players

Paraty

A town in the southern region of Brazil known for its annual Carnival celebrations that focus on the use of local mud.

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What they’re saying

“The mud is a way for us to connect with the land and celebrate our natural resources. It's a unique part of our Carnival tradition that sets us apart from the more well-known celebrations in Rio.”

— Maria Oliveira, Paraty resident (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Paraty Carnival's focus on mud and local natural resources provides a refreshing alternative to the more extravagant Carnival celebrations found in other parts of Brazil, highlighting the town's unique cultural identity and connection to its environment.