Brazil's best-known New Year's Eve beach celebration at Copacabana is held in Rio de Janeiro.
Millions of people have gathered along Copacabana Beach for music, fireworks, and midnight festivities. Many participants wear white clothing, a custom commonly associated with peace, renewal, and good fortune. Some people also make offerings or perform rituals connected with Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, especially those honoring the sea.
The beach's crescent-shaped shoreline and location beside Rio's densely populated South Zone make it a natural setting for a huge public event. Fireworks are traditionally launched from barges offshore, helping create a broad display visible from the beach and surrounding neighborhoods.
Copacabana is a neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, not a separate city. São Paulo is Brazil's largest city by population, but its major New Year's gathering is associated with Paulista Avenue rather than Copacabana Beach. Brasília is the national capital and is also distinct from Rio.