Which Recife carnival block is recognized by Guinness as the biggest carnival parade in the world?

Galo da Madrugada is the Recife Carnival block recognized by Guinness as the biggest carnival parade in the world.

The block, whose name means “Dawn’s Rooster,” was founded in Recife, Pernambuco, by Enéas Freire. Its first parade took place in 1978 in the São José neighborhood, beginning as a modest street celebration and growing into a huge annual procession. It traditionally parades on Carnival Saturday, drawing participants through central Recife.

Guinness recognition refers to the number of people taking part in the parade, not to the size of a single float or venue. The 2013 event was reported to attract more than 2.5 million people, although crowd totals are estimates and can vary by year. That distinction matters because other Brazilian Carnival events, including large Rio celebrations and rival street blocks, may also claim enormous attendance.

Galo da Madrugada is known for giant rooster imagery, frevo dancers, floats and electric trios. Its success inspired similarly named blocks in other Brazilian cities and helped cement Recife’s reputation for massive, open-air street Carnival.