Rio de Janeiro New Year’s Eve: Copacabana, Traditions and Tips

Wow, now that’s a title that packs a punch, right?!

Spending New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro had never even crossed my mind! My bucket list is full of places I’d love to go and things I’d love to do… One of my globetrotter dreams is to ring in the New Year somewhere incredible, like New York or Sydney, but for some reason I had never thought of Rio… Less famous than Carnival, it’s still the city’s second biggest event!

What’s different from New Year’s Eve in Paris? The heat! The beach! The midnight swim! An amazing experience!

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Rio de Janeiro New Year’s Eve at a glance

New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro: the traditions

All day on the 31st, and especially once night falls, people light candles in the sand and toss things into the sea, mostly flowers. On New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, offerings are made to Iemanjá, goddess of the sea and protector of sailors and fishermen. Everyone is dressed in white, which gives this huge crowd a very peaceful feel…

When the moment comes, thousands of fireworks are launched from boats. The boldest even take a midnight swim to start the year off right. 🙂

And the night goes on with a giant concert on the beach… Good to know: when I was there on December 31, it was impossible to find alcohol anywhere near Copacabana, to prevent accidents, which, by the way, isn’t such a bad thing.

The downside, of course, is that it doesn’t stop people from bringing their own drinks to the beach. I won’t even tell you how many dead bodies (relax, I mean bottles!) were lying on the beach the next morning! Between that and all the other trash, it was really gross! (And since I’m nice, I’ll spare you the details of that other trash ^^).

Sorry, my night photos aren’t great quality!

Dress in white (and pick your colors)

White is the color of peace and renewal, and on the night of the 31st it’s practically a uniform: there’s no escaping it! Brazilians often add a touch of color depending on what they wish for in the year ahead: yellow for money, red for passion, green for health, pink for love… Tradition even says the color should be worn on your underwear, ideally brand new! If you want to blend into the crowd, pack a white outfit in your suitcase.

Jump seven waves for Iemanjá

Right after midnight, many Cariocas run to the water to jump over seven waves, making a wish with each one. The number seven is associated with Iemanjá, the sea deity worshipped in Candomblé and Umbanda, the Afro-Brazilian religions. Offerings (white flowers, candles, little boats loaded with gifts) are entrusted to the waves: if they don’t wash back up on shore, it means the goddess has accepted them!

Lentils, pomegranate and other good-luck charms

The Brazilian New Year has its little rituals at the table too. People eat a spoonful of lentils to attract prosperity, and some keep a few pomegranate seeds in their wallet all year so they never run short of money. And poultry is off the menu on New Year’s Eve: since a chicken scratches the ground backward, it would keep you from moving forward in the new year!

Where to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Rio?

Copacabana Beach is still the place to be: at the last Réveillon, the fireworks were launched from 19 barges spread along the bay, and the main stage was set up in front of the Copacabana Palace. The closer you get to the main stage, the bigger the crowd… For a little breathing room, head to either end of the beach instead, toward Leme or toward the Copacabana Fort.

But Copacabana isn’t the only place to celebrate: the city sets up stages in other neighborhoods too (13 in total at the last Réveillon), and depending on the year, fireworks are also set off elsewhere, such as Barra da Tijuca or Flamengo. For a more comfortable view, some hotels and rooftops host private parties, and boats head out to sea so you can watch the show from the water. It’s a lot more expensive, and you need to book well in advance.

Safety and getting around on December 31

With millions of people in one place, it pays to plan ahead. Copacabana is closed to cars in the late afternoon: no taxi will drop you off at the beach, and buses are rerouted. The metro runs on a special schedule (some stations closed or exit-only, tickets to buy in advance), so check the details in the days before. For the trip back, be patient… or better yet, stay within walking distance of the beach!

As for safety, there are plenty of police around, but plenty of pickpockets too. Leave your passport, jewelry and main bank card at your accommodation, bring a little cash and keep your phone well hidden. And if you feel like a midnight swim, stay close to the shore: the sea can be rough at Copacabana, and at night, in the middle of the crowd, it’s easy to lose your bearings.

New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro: practical tips

➺ We stayed in the apartment of a friend of a friend, so we got a great price… For New Year’s Eve in Rio, the second biggest celebration after Carnival, you need to book your accommodation early. Check Booking, Airbnb or other sites.

➺ Booking early really is a must: prices skyrocket as the 31st approaches, and many Copacabana hotels only accept multi-night stays for New Year’s Eve. If you’re on a tight budget, look at Botafogo or Flamengo, both well connected to Copacabana by metro.

➺ For food, there are plenty of restaurants and little snack bars called “lanchonetes”. For us, it was an XXL pizza and a Coke! As I mentioned above, during our stay in Brazil it was impossible to buy alcohol in stores for safety reasons. Check out our article on Brazilian food (in French) so you don’t miss a thing!

➺ For the city’s must-sees, check out my article on visiting Rio de Janeiro (in French): food, activities, I tell you everything!

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Spending New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is an unforgettable moment I wish everyone could experience! What about you, have you ever spent New Year’s Eve somewhere memorable? Tell us all about it!

FAQ about New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro