Réveillon is the name of the massive New Year's Eve celebration in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana district.
In Brazil, réveillon generally refers to New Year's Eve and the festivities surrounding the transition into the new year. Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach hosts one of the most famous versions, bringing large crowds together for concerts, ceremonies, and fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean.
Many attendees wear white, a practice commonly associated with peace and renewal. Offerings connected with Afro-Brazilian traditions may also be placed in or near the sea, although customs vary among participants and communities. The celebration is both a major public event and a collection of personal, religious, and family traditions.
Réveillon is not the same as Carnaval, which is a separate Brazilian festival with its own calendar and samba-school parades. The French-derived word is also used in other parts of the world for a festive meal or celebration, so the Rio setting is important when identifying this particular event.