A few hours before New Year’s Eve, Copacabana beach is already breathing with anticipation. Considered one of the biggest New Year celebrations on the planet, and now officially recognized, Rio de Janeiro mobilizes locals, tourists and a wide infrastructure, security and cultural programming operation spread throughout the city.
On Tuesday morning (30), Rio de Janeiro received the title of the biggest New Year’s Eve in the world, awarded by the Guinness Book. The certificate was delivered to Mayor Eduardo Paes, on the main stage in Copacabana.
On the waterfront, the intense movement already attracts the attention of those passing through the neighborhood. Retired teacher Márcia Matos and her husband, both residents of Barra Olímpica, went to the beach to follow the preparations. “We came to see the organization and I believe it will be a very beautiful New Year’s Eve. We don’t like a lot of crowds, but we hope everything goes well”, said Márcia.
Family from Acre visits Rio to spend New Year’s Eve – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
Businessman Antônio Francisco Viana came from Acre with his family to spend the turn of 2025 to 2026 in Copacabana. “It’s the first time for New Year’s Eve, although I’ve been to Rio several times. It’s a beautiful and hospitable city. I’ve never had any problems here, I’m just grateful for the receptivity of the people of Rio,” he said.
Doctor Sâmela Talisa Meireles, who now lives in Rio because of the Mais Médicos program, described the experience as a dream. “I never imagined living here. It was a radical change, but today I feel more adapted. Rio is truly the Wonderful City and it will be my first New Year here.”
Englishman Kane Dyson came to Rio with friends to celebrate New Year’s Eve – Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
Foreign tourists also reinforce the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the party. Kane Dyson, an English electrician from Nottingham, said he decided to come after watching videos from last year’s New Year’s Eve. “It looked incredible. Now we hope it lives up to everything we imagined.” Friend Thomas Turner went further: “My expectations have already been exceeded. I definitely want to go back and see more of Brazil.” For Brandon, also from Nottingham, the difference compared to Europe is clear: “It’s cold there and we stay in pubs. Here it’s summer, sea, outdoor energy. The vibe is much better.”
New Year’s Eve takes place in a year of records for international tourism. In October, Rio reached 1.8 million foreign tourists, with emphasis on visitors from Argentina, Chile, the United States, Uruguay and France. The flow contributed to Brazil exceeding 9 million international tourists in 2025.
Schedule
New Year’s Eve in Rio will feature 13 stages and 70 attractions. City hall estimates that around 5 million people will participate in events in the city, generating R$3.34 billion in the local economy. In Copacabana alone, the 4.5 kilometers of waterfront are expected to receive more than 2 million people on New Year’s Eve.
In addition to the music, the public will watch an unprecedented spectacle of images. A ballet of 1,200 drones will perform choreographies in the sky, drawing faces, Rio landscapes and symbolic phrases, in sync with the sound spread through speakers along the coast. The fireworks display will also be historic: 19 rafts will launch fireworks for 12 minutes, the longest and most voluminous display ever held on the beach.
In Copacabana, three stages concentrate the program: at Rua República do Peru, Rua Anchieta (facing Forte do Leme) and the main one, in front of Copacabana Palace, at Posto 2. It is there that the main names of the night will perform, starting at 8pm, with Gilberto Gil and Ney Matogrosso, followed by Belo and Alcione. After the turn, João Gomes takes to the stage with Iza, DJ Alok and, to close, the Beija-Flor samba school from Nilópolis.
Another ten stages will be distributed across different regions of the city, expanding the reach of the party and decentralizing the programming. Check out the full schedule.
