#23941 Celebrating Carnaval With (Mostly) Locals in Florianopolis, Brazil

Looking for a respite from the crass commercialism and tourist hordes of Rio's Carnaval? Then head to Avenue Rendeiras any time during Brazil's four-day, pre-Ash Wednesday explosion of hedonism. Located near Lagoa da Conceicao—a giant ice-blue lagoon in the middle of the largely undiscovered island city of Florianopolis—Avenue Rendeiras is the main party artery down which a parade of skin-flashing, bongo-banging, booty-shaking islanders march during the festival. There are no TV cameras, gaudy floats, or other symbols of touristic pandering (though there are some tourists). Rather, it's an organically maintained, locals-centric celebration. In other words: what Carnaval should be. Event date: February, March