What is the name of Rio de Janeiro Carnival’s traditional opening ceremony featuring the delivery of the city keys?

Entrega da chave ao Rei Momo is Rio de Janeiro Carnival’s traditional opening ceremony featuring the delivery of the city keys.

In this symbolic handover, the mayor presents the keys of Rio de Janeiro to Rei Momo, the ceremonial Carnival king. The gesture represents the temporary transfer of authority and the official beginning of the festivities.

Rei Momo is a playful, larger-than-life figure associated with celebration, music, and public merriment. The ceremony usually takes place before the major samba-school parades and street celebrations reach their peak.

The Portuguese phrase literally means “delivery of the key to King Momo.” It is different from the Desfile das Campeãs, which is the later parade of the season’s top-performing schools.