Many Brazilians traditionally wear white for Réveillon, Brazil’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
Réveillon is especially associated with celebrations on beaches, where people gather for music, religious offerings, fireworks, and midnight festivities. White clothing is widely linked with peace, renewal, and good fortune as the old year ends and the new one begins.
The custom is particularly visible in Rio de Janeiro, where huge crowds traditionally gather at Copacabana Beach. Some participants also wear specific colors beneath or alongside white clothing to express hopes for love, prosperity, health, or other wishes.
Réveillon is not limited to one city or one religious practice. Brazil’s large regional and cultural diversity means customs vary, and the beach celebrations of Rio should not be treated as the complete national picture. The term itself is commonly used for New Year’s Eve festivities in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking settings.