Rio New Years Eve 2021 – Reveillon

Rio Reveillon – Kick off the start of the new year in style!

New Years in Rio (Reveillon) hosts its main party along Copacabana Beach hosts several music stages, fireworks and dancing. Around two million people are expected on Copacabana beach and therefore organisation of transport in and out of the area is vital. Roads are blocked to traffic from 6 PM on 31 December until 4 AM on 1 January.

Millions of people meet on the beach in Copacabana to greet the New Year welcome. In many countries bringing together all those people and alcohol would end in lots of fighting and bad energy; The surge of good energy just before and after the switch to the new year is amazing.

To traditionally celebrate New Years in Rio (Reveillon) you should be dressed in white (there´s quite a few that aren´t though). After gathering some friends you want to celebrate with you walk down to Copacabana Beach. Meeting up before is essential since it is almost impossible on the beach, the crowd is huge and cell phones normally stop working. Get there from around 9PM. On the way buy some lillies so you can sacrifice it to the Yemanja; Godess of the Sea (it actuall grants you three wishes).

Bringing some beach sheets (kangas) is a good idea so you don´t have to be on your feet the whole time. If you don´t want to drink lukewarm bubbly you should either bring an ice container or try to buy the bottle on the beach; they´ll keep it cold until the time is due.

The crowd is a bit too dense in front of Copacabana Palace can be too much for some. If you want to go there you have to go down there quite early to get a good view of the free shows since people crowd to see them. A much more relaxed atmosphere and a lot more space you will find closer to the fort in front of Life Guard Tower 6 (Posto 6). The other advantage of staying there is that it´s closer to Ipanema where you most likely will be going later.

Closing in on midnight the crowd only gets bigger and the atmosphere builds up. Then it starts: Several barges loaded with fireworks go off at the same time and the effect is amazing. Notice how Cantagalo, the favela in Copacabana, also have fireworks that they shoot off right after the official one. It´s like a demonstration: “We live here as well!”.

The Week International, the top gay nightclub in Rio de Janeiro, organizes an annual gay new year’s eve party event.

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action

Hotel Fasano,    Rio Othon Palace,    Orla Copacabana Hotel,    Arena Ipanema Hotel.