The giant New Year's Eve street party traditionally held in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana district is called Réveillon.
In Brazil, Réveillon refers to New Year's Eve celebrations, and Rio de Janeiro's version is centered on Copacabana Beach. It combines large outdoor concerts, religious and cultural customs, crowds wearing white, and a midnight fireworks display launched from the sea.
The word comes from French, where réveillon refers to a late evening meal or celebration. In Brazilian Portuguese, it became the common name for the New Year's holiday itself. The Rio event is one of the largest public New Year's gatherings in the world.
Réveillon is not the same as Carnaval. Carnaval is a separate festival period before Lent, famous for samba parades and blocos. Rio's New Year's celebration may feature samba and other music, but its date and traditions are distinct.