Belo Horizonte Celebrates 2026 with Massive Crowd

A large crowd gathered at Praça da Liberdade in the Centro-Sul region of Belo Horizonte to celebrate the New Year. A stage was set up in front of the Palácio da Liberdade, hosting various shows throughout the night. The lineup included Aline Calixto, Lagum, and Biquini, a band that defined the pop rock scene of the 1980s.

Bruno Gouveia, the vocalist for Biquini, spoke about the band's deep connection to the city. "Belo Horizonte is a city that embraced us from the beginning of our career, we had antological shows here," Gouveia stated. He noted that the band is celebrating 40 years with immense happiness, marking a long history built over four decades.

The transition into the new year was highlighted by low-noise fireworks that illuminated the capital's sky. Approximately 300 synchronized drones flew overhead to welcome 2026. The aerial show formed drawings representing the identity of Minas Gerais.

The event also served as a tribute to Lô Borges, the singer and founder of the Clube da Esquina who passed away in November. Thousands of people attended the show, which aimed to visually depict the state's culture through elements such as cheese, pão de queijo, and the state flag.

Attendees expressed optimism for the year ahead. Miguel Vargas, a sales manager, shared the sentiment, stating, "2026 has to be a year of light, a lot of good things for everyone." Laila Amaral praised the aerial show, calling it beautiful for how it portrayed Minas Gerais.

State Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Bárbara Botega, emphasized that the celebration reinforces mineiridade (local identity) and a sense of belonging. "Mineiridade is our essence, so we have to preserve our cultural roots," Botega explained. She also reported an increased demand from tourists visiting Belo Horizonte, noting a more than 15% increase in hotel networks.