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Key Facts

  • ✓ The Copacabana New Year's Eve fireworks will last 12 minutes and use 19 barges—the largest number ever deployed on the Rio coastline
  • ✓ The municipal government has organized 10 free stages across various neighborhoods for New Year's Eve
  • ✓ Traditional samba circles are scheduled at Brava Arena Jockey, Renascença Clube, and Fundição Progresso during the holiday week
  • ✓ Major paid events feature Anitta at Brava Arena Jockey, Ludmilla at Gávea Hippodrome, and Belo at AABB Club
  • ✓ Caetano Veloso will appear as a guest at Batuke do Pretinho on December 28

Quick Summary

Rio de Janeiro is preparing for a comprehensive entertainment schedule spanning the holiday week from Christmas through New Year's Eve 2026. The city's celebrations feature a mix of traditional and contemporary events across multiple venues.

The main New Year's Eve celebration at Copacabana Beach will feature three stages with performances by Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, Belo, Alcione, João Gomes, and Alok. A 12-minute fireworks display will utilize 19 barges.

Key paid events include:

The municipal government has organized 10 free stages throughout the city. Traditional samba circles are scheduled at Brava Arena Jockey, Renascença Clube, and Fundição Progresso, with Caetano Veloso appearing at Batuke do Pretinho.

Traditional Christmas Samba Events

Rio de Janeiro hosts several traditional samba circles during the Christmas holiday week, featuring both established and emerging artists in intimate settings.

Moacyr Luz and Samba do Trabalhador will perform at Brava Arena Jockey on Thursday, December 25, starting at 20:00. The event takes place at Praça Santos Dumont, 31 in Lagoa, with tickets starting at R$ 150 and an 18+ age restriction.

The Renascença Clube will host the official and most traditional samba circle on Monday, December 29, at 16:30. Located at Rua Barão de São Francisco, 54 in Andaraí, tickets cost R$ 44 with an 18+ classification.

The Samba Independente dos Bons Costumes (SIBC) will hold its Christmas edition on Thursday, December 25, at Fundição Progresso. The venue is located at R. dos Arcos, 24 in Lapa, with tickets starting at R$ 30 and an 18+ age restriction.

The Batuke do Pretinho event features Caetano Veloso as a guest performer on Sunday, December 28, starting at 18:00 (doors open at 16:00). The event takes place at Vivo Rio, located at Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 85 in Parque do Flamengo. Additional guests include João Bosco, Hamilton de Holanda, Mosquito, and Fred Camacho. Tickets are available through the Vivo Rio website and box office, with variable pricing and an 18+ age restriction.

New Year's Eve Copacabana Celebration

The traditional Copacabana beach New Year's Eve celebration will feature three main stages in Copacabana and Leme, with a 12-minute fireworks display utilizing 19 barges—the largest number ever deployed along the Rio coastline. Previous years featured up to 10 vessels.

Palco Rio (Copacabana Palace)

Operating from 18:00 to 03:00, the stage features:

Palco Samba (Posto 6)

Operating from 18:00 to 03:00, the stage features:

  • DJ Tamy (opening and intervals)
  • 20:00 - Roberta Sá
  • 22:00 - Mart'nália
  • 00:12 - Diogo Nogueira
  • 01:40 - Feyjão + Bloco da Preta
  • 03:30 - G.R.E.S Grande Rio

Palco Gospel (Leme)

Operating from 19:00 to 01:30, the stage features:

  • DJ Marcelo Araújo (opening and intervals)
  • 19:20 - Midian Lima
  • 20:45 - Samuel Messias
  • 22:15 - Thalles Roberto
  • 00:12 - Grupo Marcados

Free Citywide Stages and Paid Events

The municipal government has organized 10 free stages throughout Rio de Janeiro for New Year's Eve, operating from late afternoon until dawn. Additionally, numerous paid events offer all-inclusive experiences.

Free Municipal Stages

  • Parque Madureira: 20:00 - DJ Michell + Black de Elite; 22:30 - Sombrinha
  • Flamengo: 20:30 - Joanna; 22:00 - Moacyr Luz e Samba do Trabalhador; 00:12 - Tributo a Raul Seixas
  • Ilha do Governador: 19:00 - Roda de Santa Rita; 20:30 - Arlindinho
  • Paquetá: 19:00 - Ryon; 22:00 - Afromix; 00:20 - Marcos Santos
  • Parque Realengo: 19:00 - DJ Rafael Nazareth; 22:00 - Nem da Tia Doca; 00:15 - Sambay
  • Sesc RJ Piscinão de Ramos: 21:30 - Ana Petkovic; 22:30 - MC Cacau; 00:20 - Balacobaco
  • Penha: 20:30 - Pura Batucada; 21:30 - Thais Macedo; 00:20 - Dudu Nobre
  • Sepetiba: 21:30 - Tília; 22:30 - Juninho Thybau; 00:20 - Caju pra Baixo
  • Parque Oeste: 19:30 - Pagodelas; 21:00 - Fróes; 22:30 - Batuke 021; 00:20 - Leandro Sapucahy
  • Pedra de Guaratiba: 20:30 - MC Bob Rum; 00:20 - Delcio Luiz

Paid Events

Réveillon Tropical 2026 at Brava Arena Jockey features Anitta as the main attraction on December 31 at 21:00. The event offers all-inclusive service at Jockey Club Brasileiro, with tickets starting at R$ 769.

Réveillon Cheers 2026 features Ludmilla at the Gávea Hippodrome. Known as Brazil's largest LGBTQIA+ New Year's Eve party, the event includes three stages and over 15 artists. Tickets start at R$ 1,190.

Réveillon Celebrare 2026 at Clube Monte Líbano offers views of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Christ the Redeemer. The 19th edition includes performances by Banda Celebrare, Juliana Granato, Portela, Banda Kenzzy, and DJ Detonna. Tickets start at R$ 595.

Réveillon Sambinha 2026 features Belo at Clube AABB in Lagoa. The event includes food and drink service with a lineup mixing pagode, samba, pop, and DJs. Tickets start at R$ 1,100.

Réveillon SAL 2026 at Sociedade Hípica Brasileira features 5521, Mixed Squad, and Hitmaker. The all-inclusive event starts at R$ 1,290.

Copacabana Palace hosts a traditional celebration in the hotel's salons and pool area, featuring DJs and an exclusive menu with Veuve Clicquot champagne. Tickets cost R$ 5,445.

Blue Note Rio offers an eight-hour celebration with views of Copacabana fireworks across three environments: Calçadão, Piano Bar, and Salão de Shows. Tickets start at R$ 999.

Réveillon Sunset Gigóia in Barra da Tijuca replaces fireworks with a light show to respect local wildlife. The all-inclusive event features Vitinho, Renan Oliveira, Deu Matt, DJ Tubarão, and DJ Bruno Songz. Tickets start at R$ 525.

Cultural Activities and Exhibitions

Additional cultural programming includes theater performances and museum exhibitions available throughout the holiday week.

Theater

The Nutcracker concludes its 2025 season at Multiplan Theater in Village Mall, Barra da Tijuca. The classic Tchaikovsky ballet performs on Friday, December 26 at 20:00, and Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28 at 16:00. Tickets start at R$ 130 with free classification.

Exhibitions

Viva Mauricio continues at CCBB-Rio until April 13, 2026. The free interactive exhibition celebrates Maurício de Sousa's work, recreating scenes from the fictional Limoeiro neighborhood including characters' homes and environments. The exhibition is open Wednesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00 at R. Primeiro de Março, 66 in Centro.

Museu do Amanhã presents Oceano, a new exhibition dedicated to oceans featuring scientific collections and installations including an orca skeleton from the National Museum. The exhibition runs from Friday, December 26 through Tuesday, December 30, from 10:00 to 18:00 at Praça Mauá, 1 in Centro. Tickets start at R$ 40.