New Year’s Celebration in Rio de Janeiro!

Last updated on December 28th, 2020 at 02:14 pm

Rio de Janeiro is known for its memorable end-of-the-year celebrations, also called “Reveillon”. The New Year’s Celebration in Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular affair, with over 2 million attendees crowding the beach of Copacabana each year to admire the stunning fireworks show. While it lasts around 15 to 20 minutes, the pyrotechnics are incredible. Watch it from the sand of Copacabana beach, where barges on the shore set off fireworks in nearly all directions.

What to Wear to Rio New Year’s

Almost all Brazilians will celebrate New Year’s Eve dressed in white, which is considered a lucky color that will bring you prosperity and peace in the New Year. This is a tradition from the Afro-Brazilian Yoruba religion.

The color tradition is a big deal for Brazilians to celebrate the New Year. So, choose your clothes according to your wishes for the next year:

• Yellow or Gold: Money
• Red: Passion
• Pink: Love
• Green: Hope
• Blue: Health
• Orange: Energy

What to do during New Year’s in Rio

During New Year’s Eve, you may see the people of Rio de Janeiro, called Cariocas, celebrating the day of Yemanjá, the African goddess of the sea, with ritual offerings of white lilies, candles, and trinkets on small floats drifting off to sea. After midnight, it’s a tradition to head to the beach, jump over 7 waves, and making a wish. Throughout the evening, there are laser shows, music bands, and entertainment on stages located along Copacabana Beach.

What to drink during New Year’s Eve in Rio

Champagne is the drink of choice to pop it at midnight with a huge excitement! Be careful as the locals tend to spray the crowd with the drink.

After the fireworks show, the crowd slowly moves to the stage located in the middle of Copacabana beach or to adjacent Ipanema Beach, where musicians play into the night. One of the reasons New Year’s in Rio de Janeiro is so popular is that Cariocas are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. By the end of the evening, you are sure to make new friends with the locals. Join in dancing and drinking until the sunrise.

Hotels in Rio

Be aware that many hotels in Rio de Janeiro require a minimum stay of 3 or more nights, and often hotels are booked well in advance during New Year’s. So make sure to arrange your New Year’s Celebration in Rio de Janeiro early. While you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro for New Year’s, you can still take a tour of many of the city highlights, such as the Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain. These sites are open even on New Year’s Day. There are other great Rio de Janeiro tours, such as a Schooner Cruise of the Guanabara Bay, or a 4×4 Jeep through the Tijuca Forest.

Interested in celebrating Rio New Year’s? View our Rio de Janeiro New Year’s Tours!