Updated on Dec. 17, 2011.
New Year's Eve is Rio de Janeiro's second most popular holiday. Like Carnival, New Year's Eve (or Réveillon) requires advance planning and August is a great time to get started, as that's when several hotels release their New Year's packages.
One of the highlights of Rio de Janeiro Réveillon 2011 was the lauching of the 2016 Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro logo, revealed at the Copacabana celebrations.
2012 Celebrations on Copacabana Beach:
Copacabana leads the festivities in Rio. In 2011, the celebration had fireworks lasting over 20 minutes, synchronized to a soundtrack for the first time in the city's history. There were also music shows with Brazilian artists on four stages.
The theme for official celebrations of New Year's Eve 2012 in Rio will be sustainability, according to Riotur, the Rio de Janeiro Tourism Company. The event will call attention to the importance of environmental preservation and the ways people can contribute to build a better planet for the future generations.
The theme will also be a preparation for Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (June 20-22, 2012). The show schedule is:
Sun Stage (across from the Copacabana Palace:
8:30 p.m. - Beth Carvalho
10 p.m. - O Rappa
12:20 a.m. - Latino
2 a.m. - DJ David Guetta
Water Stage (across from Rua Santa Clara):
7:30 - Sargento Pimenta
8:30 - Baia
10 p.m. - Moraes Moreira
12:20 a.m. - Blitz
2 a.m. - Beija-Flor and Unidos da Tijuca
2012 Celebrations on Flamengo Beach
Read about New Year's Eve 2011 celebrations on Flamengo Beach. The party is back for Réveillon 2012 and it's a great option for tourists in Rio. The show schedule is:
9 p.m. - Calçadão Carioca
11 p.m. - Galocantô
12:30 a.m. - G.R.E.S. São Clemente
1:30 a.m. - G.R.E.S. Vila Isabel
2012 Celebrations in Barra da Tijuca
Tourists staying in Barra da Tijuca hotels have the option of joining the celebrations at Praça do Ó. Who's performing:
6 p.m . - DJ
7 p.m. - Luis Carlinhos
8:30 p.m. - Farofa Carioca
10:15 p.m. - Biquini Cavadão
12:10 a.m. - Bangalafumenga
1:45 a.m. - Mumuzinho
2:55 a.m. - G.R.E.S. Salgueiro
2012 Celebrations in Other Areas:
The city of Rio de Janeiro will be also be hosting official Réveillon festivities in Pedra de Guaratiba, Sepetiba, Paquetá, Penha, Ilha do Governador and Ramos. See the full list of celebrations.
New Year's Eve 2012 Parties in Rio de Janeiro
You can ring in 2012 for free on the beach, but for great food, dancing with beautiful people (and perhaps breakfast), choose one of the New Year's Eve parties held at Rio de Janeiro hotels, lounges and other venues. Some Réveillon parties, such as the one at the Copacabana Palace or the Museum of Modern Art, are held every year.
- New Year's Eve 2012 Party at the Copacabana Palace
- New Year's Eve 2012 Party at the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
- New Year's Eve 2012 Party on Sugarloaf
- New Year's Eve 2012 Party at InterContinental Hotel
- New Year's Eve 2012 Party at Clube Monte Líbano
Get an idea of what you can expect from other parties with this list of best New Year's Eve 2011 parties in Rio de Janeiro.
