Live from Rio de Janeiro, the city’s mayor Eduardo Paes hands over the symbolic keys of Rio to 'King Momo' during a ceremony marking the official opening of Carnival 2026, on Friday, February 13.

The handover formally launches the city’s Carnival celebrations, which run until February 18 and include hundreds of street parties, known as blocos, alongside a huge samba competition at the Sambadrome.

'King Momo' is a traditional Carnival figure representing joy, excess and celebration, and 'rules' over the city for the duration.

He is joined by the Carnival Queen and Princesses, who serve as ambassadors of the event and appear at official ceremonies and parades across the city.