Réveillon is the Brazilian New Year’s Eve celebration famous for white-clad beach crowds at Copacabana.
Rio de Janeiro’s Réveillon centers on Copacabana Beach, where very large crowds gather for concerts, ceremonies, and fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean. Wearing white is a prominent custom, often associated with peace and renewal. Many participants also follow Afro-Brazilian and popular traditions, including offerings or flowers connected with Iemanjá, a revered sea-associated figure in Brazilian religious culture.
The word réveillon is used in Portuguese for the New Year celebration and comes from French usage related to a late evening or overnight feast. Rio’s event is the most internationally recognized example, but Réveillon celebrations take place throughout Brazil. White clothing is customary rather than an absolute requirement, and regional practices differ. The celebration should not be confused with Carnaval, which is a separate festival held later in the year before Lent.