Updated on Dec.22, 2012
Only Carnival is a more popular celebration than New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro. You can enjoy the famous fireworks and shows on Copacabana Beach or ring in 2013 at one of the city's best parties, most of them all-nighters consisting of an all-inclusive menu or very special dinner and open bar, live music and DJs.
Wearing white is a tradition in Mew Year's Eve, and perhaps one of the options in the dress code - as in the party at the Copacabana Palace - but for other ideas on what to wear, check out the photos and videos on party websites.
Unfortunately, purchasing tickets to the parties is still not a very simple operation for international travelers, as the websites most of them use for ticket sales are only available in Portuguese and may require a Brazilian document for access. Ask your travel agent or hotel in Rio for help or contact the producers for information on direct purchase in Rio.
Ticket prices change as lots sell out. Check prices on each party's official website and on the ticket sale websites, or call the venues for more information.
1. New Year's Eve Party at the Copacabana Palace
Photo courtesy of Copacabana Palace.
One of Brazil's best New year's Eve celebrations, Réveillon at the Copa - and Orient-Express hotel - features special dinners by chef Francesco Carli, live music, DJs and some of the best surroundings in town - with a privileged view of the fireworks and crowds on Copacabana Beach.
2. New Year's Eve 2013 at Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Sofitel.
A great celebration at a fine hotel with top-of-the-line restaurants and bars, Réveillon at Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana offers various levels of sophistication.
Views of Copacabana Beach with its mega festivities are an extra perk.
3. Réveillon do Morro: New Year's Eve 2013 at Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf
Photo courtesy of Réveillon do Morro.
Few parties afford such a spectacular view - particularly if you get the VIP tickets which place you atop the Sugarloaf.
4. Réveillon Carioca: New Year's Eve 2013 at the Royal Tulip
The upscale Royal Tulip (formerly Intercontinental Hotel) on São Conrado Beach is continuing this traditional party - now in its 8th edition - with Sapucapeta as the headliners and lots of DJs.
Food is by the hotel's buffet service and will include a cocktail, dinner and breakfast.
5. Réveillon Cidade Maravilhosa 2013 at MAM-Rio
Good reviews usually follow this party in a special area at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM-Rio), one of the attractions at Flamengo Park.
Eclectic music, including percussion and dancers from a samba school for the grito de Carnaval - the traditional sample of Carnival in Brazilian New Year's Eve parties; and fine food by the chefs from Laguiole, the charming restaurant at the museum, are some of the perks.
6. Réveillon Viva Lagoa 2013: New Year's Eve at Espaço Lagoon
On the banks of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Espaço Lagoon (which made the news earlier this year when it inaugurated Lagoon Gourmet) is the venue for this party featuring spectacular views of the lagoon and its Christmas tree, music by Milton Guedes, Juliana Barbosa, Life is a Loop and more, and an all-inclusive buffet and open bar.
7. Lagoa Réveillon 2013
Felguk (Felipe Lozinsly and Gustavo Rozenthal), DJs who have opened Madonna's shows in Brazil, lead the partying in Lagoa Réveillon 2013, at Clube de Remo do Flamengo (the Flamengo Rowing Club) at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The Twice Nice duo, Rogério Gonçalves and Raphael Assad are also in the DJ lineup.
An all-inclusive cocktail buffet is included in the tickets to the party with a view of the lagoon, Christ on Corcovado and the Copacabana fireworks.
8. Rio Réveillon 2013: Party at the Jockey Club
Rio's beautiful Jockey Club is hosting the 7th edition of this party with three distinct spaces and hugely popular Monobloco as the headliners.
The varied buffets include breakfast.
9. Réveillon do Iate Club 2013
Join local habitués for one of Rio's best parties - the one at the chic Yacht Club in Urca. The pool pergola, surrounded by 96 coconut trees and with a view of Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay, is the setting for this celebration with an all-inclusive menu, open bar and DJs.
10. Réveillon da Gávea Cîroc 2013: New Year's Eve at Sociedade Germania
A mix of club members and guests party at Sociedade Germania to ring in the New Year. DJ Sapão (a Réveillon favorite) and other DJs, fine food and drinks are attractions at the event in Gávea.
