New Years Eve in Rio

New Years Eve in Rio

Celebration and beauty on Copacabana beach

It would not be an overstatement to say that Rio de Janeiro is the Brazilian melting pot – just as New York is the American melting pot – in view of the many cultures and customs it congregates. Accordingly, New Year’s Eve in Rio is an outstanding event that brings together cults of African origin, Brazilian pop music, fireworks displays, approximately 2 million cariocas (residents of Rio), domestic and foreign tourists on the most famous beach in the world: Copacabana.

“Goodbye old year /
Happy New Year /
May everything come true in the newborn year /
A wallet full of money and health throughout the year”

To the sound of one of the most traditional songs of the Brazilian New Years celebrations, thousands of people go down the streets in Copacabana towards the beach. Most are dressed in white and, following a tradition of the candomblé and umbanda religions, throw flowers into the sea, an offering of thanks to Iemanjá, mother of the waters and of other gods.

The New Years Eve celebrations on the beach have become part of the city’s calendar since the 70s when Le Méridien Hotel promoted a dazzling fireworks display that came from the top of the building down the side like a waterfall.

From the 80s on, hotels and restaurants on the seafront joined the City Hall in creating an even more spectacular display. Since then Copacabana has staged one of the most famous New Year’s celebrations in the whole world, welcoming thousands of people that assemble there to salute the new year and hope it will be better than the past one.

In 2001 City Hall moved the fireworks to barges anchored in the sea. This guarantees greater safety and more room on the sand, as well as enhancing for the spectators the beauty of the pyrotechnic display. Traditionally three stages are set up along the beach for the presentation of the best Brazilian music with singers, bands and musicians. The show goes on before and after midnight until sunrise.

Therefore, those who come to Rio for the New Year can consider themselves privileged. Besides having the opportunity of taking part in the most peaceful public and free fraternization in the world, they experience a unique moment: the sun rising on the first day of the year on Copacabana beach

New Years Eve in Rio