The traditional Brazilian New Year’s Eve festival is called Réveillon, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
In Brazil, Réveillon refers to New Year’s Eve celebrations that often combine outdoor parties, music, fireworks, and gatherings with family or friends. Rio de Janeiro’s celebration on Copacabana Beach is particularly famous, drawing huge crowds to the shoreline for a midnight fireworks display.
Many participants wear white, a color commonly associated with peace and renewal. Some also follow Afro-Brazilian or regional traditions, such as making offerings to Iemanjá, a sea-associated figure honored by many people in coastal celebrations. Customs vary by family, city, and religious background.
The word Réveillon is also used in French for a festive evening meal or celebration. In Brazil, it has become the standard name for the New Year festivities rather than merely describing a formal dinner. Rio’s beach event is therefore one expression of a nationwide holiday tradition.