Brazil’s New Year’s Eve celebration is commonly called Réveillon and often features a white-clothing tradition.
Brazilian Réveillon celebrations are especially famous in Rio de Janeiro, where enormous crowds gather on Copacabana Beach for concerts and fireworks. Many participants wear white, a color popularly associated with peace and renewal. The celebration also reflects Afro-Brazilian and Brazilian coastal traditions, including offerings to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, in some communities.
People may jump seven waves, make wishes, or offer flowers and other objects to the ocean. These practices vary by region, family, religion, and personal belief, so no single custom represents every Brazilian New Year celebration.
Réveillon is a French-derived term used in Portuguese-speaking contexts for the New Year’s Eve festivities. It should not be confused with Brazil’s Carnival, which is a separate festival held later in the year and has different historical traditions and dates.