Five Great Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – New Year’s Eve, or ‘Réveillon,’ is a big deal in Rio de Janeiro, being the second biggest celebration after Carnival. The city really welcomes the new year in style, with fireworks, live concerts and plenty of ‘joie de vivre.’ Here are five great options, with all budgets in mind, for where to see in 2019.

Belmond Copacabana Palace (Copacabana)
Arguably the most iconic hotel in Rio de Janeiro, this art deco symbol of Rio’s golden age has been recently bought by French group LVMH as part of a total deal worth US$3.25 billion.

Celebrating New Year’s at one of Rio’s most luxurious hotels doesn’t come cheap, with tickets on offer for R$3212, but this does give you access to a party that will begin at 8PM and include an open champagne bar, exclusive buffet and one of the best views across Copacabana beach for those all-important fireworks.

MAM (Museum of Modern Art) (Flamengo)
For something a little bit different, Rio’s Museum of Modern Art is hosting a party set to last twelve hours with an open bar, open buffet and even breakfast for those that make it to the morning. Music will come courtesy of Rodrigo Penna plus DJ sets from the likes of Markinhos Meskita and Nado Leal.

This party gets going at 8PM and the second round of tickets are on sale for R$550. There will be three separate party spaces, and Batman Zavareze, art director of Brazilian super-group Tribalistas and the closing ceremony of Rio’s 2016 Olympics, will be on hand to provide some show-stopping projections to accompany what is set to be one huge celebration.

Pura Vida Hostel (Copacabana)
For R$300 party goers can join one of the friendliest crowds in the Cidade Maravilhosa: the extended family of Caminhos Language Centre, who will be joining the Pura Vida Hostel celebrations in Copacabana.

There will be DJ sets from DJ Luizinho and DJ Sapucaia, plus an open bar and a food table with free snacks. On top of that, every attendant gets a glass of sparkling wine at midnight to toast the new year!

Jockey Club (Gávea)
The Jockey Club in leafy Gávea is hosting not one but two massive parties to see in the new year. For around R$590, revellers can enjoy the premium open bar and all-night gastronomy offered by the main Jockey Club, with samba from the Mangueira samba school, and DJ sets courtesy of Groovebox and Baile do Sapuca.

At the Jack Daniel’s Rock Bar, there is a separate celebration happening for a similar price (currently at R$480) with an open bar and open food, plus live music such as the Black Monkees tribute to The Beatles, Banda Purano’s Pearl Jam tribute, as well as indoor fireworks and a breakfast at sunrise.

Hotel & Resort Sheraton (Leblon)
For those looking for something a little less intense, the Hotel & Resort Sheraton in Leblon is offering an evening of disco and fireworks at their super exclusive resort complex. Soon to be sold-out, this R$720 ticket gives access to a bespoke experience of the highest quality.

With access to an exclusive beach for people to ‘jump the waves’ when the time comes, plus a full party line-up of live music and Djs, including Rogerio Lampreia and Mary Lou, and with a five-star buffet and breakfast accompanied by live saxophone along with the first sunrise, this looks to be an unforgettable option for ringing in the New Year.

Tavi Noren of Rio Love Story offers one additional tip for newcomers to Rio’s celebrations, “To celebrate New Year’s in Rio de Janeiro the ‘Carioca’ way, I recommend you find your best and most relaxed white outfit, which will go well on the beach and also at your chosen party or restaurant.”