Have you ever considered spending the New Year's Eve in the most exciting city in the world?

New Year's Eve (called "Reveillon" in Portuguese) is one of Rio de Janeiro's most important celebrations, second only to Carnival in popularity. It attracts people from all over the world, and Brazilians from all states. At New Year's Eve more than 2 million people pack Rio's beaches for an all-night festival of music, food and fun, punctuated by spectacular fireworks, starting at midnight and lasting for almost a half hour.

Cariocas (people from Rio) traditionally wear white on New Year's Eve, it's the colour of peace and the colour worn by devotees of Candomblé ( Afro-Brazilian religion) to honor Yemanjá. Offering a white flower to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, is also a part of the ritual. Bring a bottle of champagne to pop and drink at midnight. If you are on the beach and you decide to shake the bottle and spray around, nobody will complain - it's considered good luck.

This is a party where everybody is welcome and admission is free!


Program 2009 Copacabana beach festivities

Palco Leme (in front of Av Princesa Isabel)

20:05h : DJ Performance - Beat 98
00:00h : Fireworks
00:15h : DJ Performance - Beat 98
02:00h : Portela Samba school

Palco Principal (in front of Rua Rodolfo Dantas)

18:00h : Petrobras Symfonic Orchestra
19:00h : Afrolata
20:00h : Sunset Ceremony - Iemanja
20:05h : Paralamas do Sucesso - Carlinhos Brown
22:05h : Lulu Santos
23:45h : MC: Serginho Groisman
00:00h : Fireworks
00:15h : Beth Carvalho - Fundo de Quintal
02:00h : Salgueiro Samba school
02:30h : DJ

Palco Satelite (in front of Rua Santa Clara)

18:00h : Cia Aplauso
19:05h : Ria Ribeiro
20:05h : Ed Motta
21:20h : Bangalafumenga
22:35h : Roberta Sa + Pedro Luis
23:45h : MC: Nivea Stellmann + Sarah Oliveira
00:00h : Fireworks
00:15h : Blitz + Leo Jaime
02:00h : Beija Flor Samba school
02:30h : DJ Beat 98

Palco Posto 6 (in front of Rua Miguel Lemos)

20:05h : DJ Janot
22:30h : DJ Taw
00:00h : Fireworks
00:15h : DJ Marcelinho da Lua