Brazilian New Year is one of the most traditionally celebrated festivals for the people living there. New Year in Brazil is known as Ano Nove (Portuguese) but is more popularly known as Revillion. It is celebrated on January 1 as per the Gregorian calendar.
New Year is the time when people from various parts of the world like to celebrate it in Brazil. Pubs, party halls, clubs, beaches and even roads are thronged with people.
New Year’s celebrations in Brazil reflect its culture and tradition. On the New Year’s Day, it’s a tradition to consume lentils and rice. It is believed to bring in prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
People dressed in white offer flowers and gifts to the Iemanjá, the Goddess of the Water in the Brazilian Umbanda religion. The colorful floating candles give a splendid view at the time of New Year. Nowhere else in the world could white-clad crowds of two million people gather in a setting as breathtaking as Copacabana beach, honoring the departing year and greeting the twelve months that lie ahead in total harmony, peace and safety.
This festival is celebrated with much devotion and sincerity by the fishermen of the city. They believe the catch at the time reflects the catch for rest of the year.
Véspera de Ano Novo or the New Year’s Eve is the most important day for the people of Brazil. The best New Year celebrations can be seen in the most important city of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. The velvety summer sky is the backdrop to one of the world’s most spectacular fireworks displays. On the sand, white-robed believers light thousands of candles and toss flowers as offerings to Iemanjá, queen of the waters, all to an irresistible Brazilian beat. Not only tourists, but also investors who want to invest in Brazil property like to visit this country during the New Year and they also take part in these activities.
Musical shows, concerts and other dance performances are the highlights of New Year celebrations in Brazil. The world famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is overcrowded with people on the New Year’s Eve.
Another feature of New Year’s celebrations is the Brazilian Carnival. People dress up in gaudy clothes and walk down streets singing and dancing on beats of various traditional songs. The famous samba gets people on their feet every year.
Any party is not complete without perfect music. New Year’s Eve celebrations include numerous local Brazilian artists like samba, frevo, pagoda, Axe and forro.
Last but not least, dinner is the best part of Brazilian New Year’s Celebrations. It includes farofa (tapioca grains flavored with spices), salads, rice, chicken and marajucá mousse (fruit) which is relished by people present in Brazil to have the taste of its culture.
There are balls and parties at all the major hotels and property in Brazil along the beach, including the Copacabana Palace, Excelsior, Le Méridian and the Sofitel Rio Palace. The hotels stay open all night, serving champagne breakfasts from around 3am on 1 January. One word of advice, though: you should go dressed in white, a religious tradition that is well entrenched. If you don’t, you will stand out like a sore thumb.
Around two million people are expected on Copacabana beach and therefore organization of transport in and out of the area is vital. Roads are blocked to traffic from 6pm on 31 December until 4am on 1 January. There are taxis, tourist buses drop people off and urban buses have free access. To use the metro you must buy a special ticket in advance from certain stations. Check which stations will be open when you buy your ticket.
