Copacabana Beach is the main gathering place for Rio de Janeiro's Réveillon New Year's Eve celebration.
Réveillon is the Portuguese term commonly used in Brazil for the New Year's Eve celebration. Rio's event brings large crowds to Copacabana Beach, where people watch fireworks over the Atlantic, listen to live music, and take part in traditions connected with the sea.
Many attendees wear white, a color associated with peace and renewal. Some people also honor Afro-Brazilian traditions by making offerings to Yemanjá, a sea-associated deity in Brazilian religious practice. Offerings may include flowers and small boats, though environmental rules and local guidance affect how rituals are carried out.
The fireworks are generally launched from barges offshore, allowing the display to be viewed along the beach. Copacabana's broad crescent, hotels, and waterfront promenade make it especially suited to a very large public celebration, while other Brazilian cities hold their own Réveillon events.