Brazil’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebration is commonly called Réveillon.
In Brazil, Réveillon refers to the festivities held on the night of 31 December and into 1 January. One of the best-known celebrations takes place on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where enormous crowds gather for concerts, fireworks, and a midnight celebration beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Many Brazilian participants wear white clothing, a custom widely associated with peace and renewal. Some people also make offerings or gestures connected with Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, especially those honoring Iemanjá, the orixá associated with the sea. Jumping over seven waves is another popular coastal custom and is linked with wishes for the coming year.
Réveillon is a French-derived term used in Portuguese and does not mean Brazil’s Carnival. Carnival is a separate festival held before Lent, generally in February or March.