The New Year’s Eve event centered on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro is called Réveillon.
In Brazil, Réveillon refers to New Year’s Eve celebrations, especially the enormous public gathering on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. The event combines concerts, crowds dressed in white, religious and cultural traditions, and a midnight fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean.
Many participants wear white as a symbol of peace and renewal. Some people also honor Afro-Brazilian traditions by offering flowers or other gifts to Yemanjá, a major figure in Brazilian religious culture, often placing them in the sea. These practices vary among individuals and communities.
Réveillon is a French-derived word used in Portuguese for the celebration. It should not be confused with Carnaval, a separate festival usually held before Lent. Rio’s event is famous for its scale, but Réveillon is used for New Year festivities throughout Brazil.