As the world’s eyes turn to Rio for the 2016 Olympics, temperatures are rising in the city centre as Liverpool prepares to host its own Rio-style carnival this weekend.

Just in time for the heatwave, Liverpool’s International Samba Festival will transform the Commercial District into a sizzling hotbed of colourful carnival action this Saturday, 16th July and Brazilica 2016 promises to be even bigger and better than ever before!

The party will begin this Friday, 15th July, as the newly refurbished PanAm on Liverpool’s Albert Dock will host a dazzling evening of dance, costumes and Brazilian vibes for Brazilica’s annual Carnival Queen Competition where Brazilian dancers from far and wide battle it out for samba supremacy.