New Year’s festival

Copacabana Beach - 31/12

At nightfall

People go to the beaches, most dressed in white, bringing white palms and roses to offer to Iemanjá, the goddess of waters (an Afro-Brazilian ritual: happy, Iemanjá guarantees the city a good year). They throw to the sea flowers, perfumes and light candles.

At midnight

The largest fireworks show in the world', 20 minute duration, illuminates the beauty of Copacabana Beach in various colors. The highlights are the cascades at the Meridien Hotel and at the Fort of Copacabana.
Over Two million people dressed in white clothes and holding champagne bottles united by the incomparable spirit of Rio greet each other at mid-night, even if they are strangers.

In case you are not staying in Copacabana it is advised to purchase subway tickets in advance to avoid the long lines in the evening.

* On 31/12/2004 the fireworks were a great disappointment, due to a combination of Very Bad quality and lack of wind. We were promised that this year it will be a great show.

*  A small part of the 2 million participants come to abuse others - read about safety and prepare accordingly

Lagoa floating Christmas tree

From end November through the first week of January, a traditional Christmas Tree is visible on the waters of Lagoa (Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon). Since its first edition, in 1996, the Tree has received awards such as Top of Marketing and in 1999 it entered the Guiness Book of Records as the largest floating Christmas decoration in the world.

The tree height over 80 meters. It is lighten up from the end of November to January