Enjoy the New Year in Rio!

If you’re planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, New Year’s Eve is the absolute best time to go. New Year's Eve in Rio is a spectacular event. Each December 31, million of people head to the beaches to celebrate the New Year.

A massive crowd gathers in the world’s largest open air ballroom for a party with a difference, filled with light and fireworks, peace and human warmth, at which the guest of honor is the new year.

Copacabana beach is the focal point of one of the biggest parties on earth, although festivities take place, on a smaller but increasing scale, on the beaches of Flamengo, Ipanema, Leblon and Barra da Tijuca. New Year Rio de Janeiro celebrations at Copacabana include four stages of live music performances that begin at 8 pm. There is a dramatic fireworks display at midnight, plus music, dancing and revelry all night long.

The beachfront hotels and premier restaurants organize the fireworks between themselves, as their annual gift to the city. Stages are erected along the beach upon which live shows take place.It is, undoubtedly, the greatest open-air party in the world. All are welcomed and the only requirement is that you are prepared to have fun.

The beach is key to the proceedings, which require that tributes be paid to Yemanja, the African Goddess of the waters, revered since the time of the slave trade. Her name come from Yoruba expression which means the goddess whose offspring are fish. In Brazil, she's the most feminine and popular orixa. According to the legends, Yemanja is the mother of all the other orixas and her torn breasts gave origin to all the rivers of the world. She protects fishermen, by guaranteeing their return to land. The followers of the Angolan cult call her Kajala. She is a beautiful and vain Goddess and much appreciates gifts to see in the new year: mirrors, cosmetics, combs, white flowers, liquor and coins, all floated out to her in delightful decorated tin boats. But the party on the beach is much more than a quasi-religious ritual; the fireworks are breathtaking, the music contagiously all pervading and the general air of companionship and joy amongst the millions of strangers on the beach something that simply has to be experienced.