On which famous beach do many Rio de Janeiro residents celebrate New Year's Eve?

Many Rio de Janeiro residents celebrate New Year's Eve on Copacabana Beach.

Copacabana’s Réveillon is one of Brazil’s largest New Year celebrations. Crowds gather along the beach dressed in white, a color widely associated with peace and renewal. The waterfront typically hosts concerts, religious and cultural customs, and a major fireworks display launched over the Atlantic.

Many participants also make offerings or perform rituals connected with Iemanjá, an orixá associated with the sea in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions. Some people place flowers or small offerings on boats or in the water, although practices differ and environmental rules may apply.

Copacabana’s broad crescent-shaped beach and dense beachfront buildings make it a dramatic setting for television coverage. The event is often called Réveillon, the French-derived Portuguese term commonly used in Brazil for New Year’s Eve celebrations.