Réveillon de Copacabana
In real life Every year on December 31 · Concerts through the evening · fireworks at midnight
Next: Thursday, December 31, 2026
Rio's New Year's Eve: around two million people in white on the sand, concert stages, and fireworks fired from barges offshore at midnight.
Réveillon on Copacabana Beach is one of the biggest New Year's celebrations in the world. It draws around two million people, and a reported 2.6 million for 2024–25. The custom of wearing white comes from Candomblé celebrations of the sea deity Iemanjá that began on the beach in the 1970s. Many people still take offerings to the water before midnight.
Organised fireworks started in 1978, and concerts were added in 1993 to help manage the crowd. Today there are music stages through the evening, and at midnight fireworks are fired from barges offshore.
🎟 Cost: Free
🕒 When: Every year on December 31, Concerts through the evening · fireworks at midnight
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What to expect
- Huge crowds dressed in white on the sand
- Offerings to Iemanjá at the water's edge
- Concerts on stages along the beach, featuring Brazilian and international artists
- A fireworks show fired from about ten barges offshore, usually lasting 12–16 minutes
Tips for going
- Wear white if you want to join the tradition
- Get there early to find space on the sand
- Carry as little as possible and keep valuables secure in the dense crowd
- Plan how you'll get home, since leaving takes a long time with millions of people
Questions people ask
Is it free?
Yes. The beach celebration is free.
Why does everyone wear white?
The custom comes from Candomblé offerings to Iemanjá. White stands for renewal.
How long are the fireworks?
Usually 12 to 16 minutes, fired from barges offshore.
About Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer stands on the summit of Corcovado, arms open over Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf.
Getting there: The Corcovado rack railway climbs from Cosme Velho to just below the summit, and official vans run from Copacabana and Largo do Machado.
More about Rio de Janeiro and its 3D version →
Also in Rio de Janeiro
In real lifeDetails checked against en.wikipedia.org. Organizers change plans, so confirm there before you go.
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