Rio de Janeiro's New Year's Eve


The biggest opened air party on earth One of the greatest concentrations of people you’ll ever see. More than two million come to Copacabana to celebrate it. They wait the night to come and go back to the beach, mostly wearing white (local tradition, to brings peace into the New Year) to see the remarkable fireworks.
Wellcome to the Biggest Party on Earth.

Copacabana Beach - The greatest show of the year.


There are 2, 5 miles of fireworks exploding in the sky or in the luminous reams on hotel façades and from different barges in the sea. The people coming from the four corners of the world, bid farewell to the year that is ending and toast the arrival of the New Year.
People from all social classes, side by side, in peace, in manifestations that mix magic and devotion, devotees make offerings to Iemanjá, the African Goddess of the Waters.
One of the largest fireworks in the world with about 20-minute duration illuminates the beauty of Copacabana Beach in various colors.
People united by the incomparable spirit of Rio greet each other, even if they are strangers, and walk in the direction of the shore to make their offerings.
The New Year has arrived!

Tips:

  • The best place to be, for sure, is in front of the top hotels of the beach like Copacabana Palace, Sofitel or Meridien. There are always good concerts close to them playing all night long.
  • Be close. The Av. Atlântica street is closed for cars in the 31's afternoon. The best option is to walk to the beach or get a taxi early to get as close as possible and walk the rest of the distance. The way back is the same way or wait for the sun to come, the traffic will be free. Taxis,  buses and subway will be operating again.
  • Wear White. According to the tradition, it brings peace to the new year and everybody else will be wearing it too.

Numbers:


The fireworks are located in boats 440 yards (400 m.) from the beach and initiates at midnight during around 20 minutes, last year were detonated 150 tons of pyrotechnical material.
Again numbers from last year; 2500 police officers, 17 watch towers with 16 surveillance cameras were used to secure the event.