Christmas in...Rio de Janiero

I've been to Rio 5 times. It draws me back - the people, the architecture, the history, the music. Even the beaches - which is a big admission from an island girl who can count about 15 beaches within 25 kilometres of home.

I haven't been to Rio at Christmas though, and I think it would be an uplifting time to go. Except New Years Eve would be much more exciting, so perhaps go then.

Christmas Eve is the most important time for families to get together, with everything closing around 6pm (even hotel restaurants) so families share the event. There is a big fireworks display at the Lagoon, but other than that it is a time for families

On the first day of December, the Christmas lights are turned on, and around the 2nd or 3rd of the month, the world's largest floating artificial Christmas tree is lit up in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, with fireworks to herald in the festive season.  It stays lit until Epiphany,  the 6th January. The tree was created in 1995, and is 85 metres high. Each year the theme is different. Visitors can also view an array of performances in Parque de Cantagalo located nearby the lagoon.

And since it wouldn't be Christmas without the manger scene, the citys host the manger scene festival. The Allah garden in Ipanema presents a collection of manger scenes contributed by various Brazilian artists to bring the tradition to life.

New Year however, is a BIG bang, with events everywhere, especially on Copacabana Beach.

After Carnaval, New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is the biggest party of the year in the city. During New Year's Eve day, people  gather at Copacabana beach to honor Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of fertility and motherhood, by placing offerings like flowers and candles into the ocean and celebrate with free festivities for ‘Reveillon’(roughly translated as a night-time celebration, especially a feast traditionally held after midnight on Christmas or New Year's morning.



The evening festivities kick off officially around 7pm New Year's Eve when DJs and bands kick off at the official stages along the beach. Everyone’s musical taste is catered for with live rock acts, Brazilian pop songs and samba music.

The main stages are in front of the Copacabana Palace and across Rua Santa Clara. The other stages are situated along the 4km stretch of beach between Leme and the Copacabana Fortress.At midnight,
a spectacular 20 minute fireworks display will blast out the old year and welcome in the new year.  . All  all night parties follow, organized by all the major beach hotels including Copacabana Palace (this is the most fancy one in bal masqué style) for the more than 2 million  revellers.  Everyone dresses in white and red, signifying both good luck and romance. The Rio de Janeiro hotels stay open all night, serving breakfasts from around 3am until midday on New Year’s Day. 

Thanks to Huffington Post for this image.

How to get there:
Fly on any of the major airlines

Where to stay:
There are heaps of great places from super-budget to ultra luxury. Check Trip Advisor, Expedia, Booking.com or your own favourite.   If you want a beach front room to watch the celebrations, you might be out of luck for this year, but give it a try.

Local Nomad Apartments offer a great range of apartments, which can be a better option for families and couples than a hotel.

Tours Gone Wild offer a 7 day package for 2014, from December 28, to take in the magnificent displays, performances and pure atmosphere of Rio's New Year celebrations.