Five of the Best Pre-New Year’s Eve Parties this Weekend in Rio

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – From Carnival to the World Cup and Olympics, the Cidade Maravilhosa is no stranger to hosting unforgettable events. Now with this year’s famous ‘Reveillon’ (New Year’s Eve) celebrations falling on a Monday, here are five of the best Pre-Reveillon parties taking place this weekend.

Starting this Thursday, the long weekend heading into 2019 begins. For those who want to start celebrations early, or perhaps want to forget 2018 as quickly as possible, then MUG’s huge Pré Reveillon party at Glória’s Espaço Bella Vista is a fine place to kick things off.

Not only will participants be greeted with one of the most stunning views in the city, but starting at 11PM MUG will have the best Brazilian music courtesy of Silvio Maranhão and DJ Marcelo Paes, plus a special Carnival ‘bloco’ with live percussion. Entrance is between R$10-R$40.

For Friday, there is a special party taking place at the iconic ‘Bondinho Pão de Açúcar’ (Sugarloaf Mountain Cable car) entitled ‘All We Need is Love.’ Starting at 10PM, this party promises an open bar featuring Gordon’s Gin, Johnny Walker Red, and plenty of other premium brands.

From the stunning surroundings of ‘Morro da Urca’ (Urca hill), there will be music courtesy of João Brasil, TheBlackHaus, and Rapha Lima – while throughout the party, hosts ‘Bloco Fica Comigo’ (Bloco Stay with Me) will be providing entertainment and ensuring everyone has a memorable time. Tickets are currently on sale for R$320.

Saturday brings with it three huge parties, starting at 6PM with FAU – ‘Festival de Ativação Urbana’ (Urban Activation Festival). This free festival boasts over sixty artists across three different stages, playing the best in house, techno, minimal, dubstep and much more.

In addition to celebrating a year of putting on some of the best club nights, concerts and festivals in Rio, NAU – ‘Núcleo de Ativação Urbana’ (Urban Activation Nucleus) will also be carrying out various charitable works during the festival, encouraging participants to make donations to ‘Corrente pelo Bem’ (Chain for Good) ‘Teto’ (Roof) and ‘Hospital Mário Kroeff’ (Mário Kroeff Hospital).

Later on in the evening, the colorful Carnival bloco Vem Cá, Minha Flor will be hosting a party from 8PM onward on the ‘Morro do Pasmado’ (Pasmado Hill) in Botafogo. Music will come courtesy of Samba Vicente and DJ Mito, with the venue offering stunning views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Guanabara Bay. This is also a free event.

For one last blow-out before New Year’s Eve, the famous Rio Jockey Club will be hosting ‘Me Faz Feliz’ (Make Me Happy) for a huge party that promises to go on from 8PM until 5AM.

Having already entertained Belem, Campinas, São Paulo and Florianopolis, it’s now time for Me Faz Feliz to show Rio why they have the reputation for throwing some of the wildest parties in Brazil. The line-up includes musical group Jeito Moleque plus DJ sets from DJ Tartaruga and DJ Cereja. Tickets are available for R$80.