Rio Prepares Line-up for New Year’s Eve 2015 in Copacabana

By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Once again as New Year’s Eve (Ano Novo in Portuguese) approaches, Rio de Janeiro prepares a spectacular celebration on the famed Copacabana Beach set to draw over two million people. According to organizers,the city is providing sixteen minutes of fireworks, synchronized with the soundtrack and special effects.

One of the highlights of the fireworks show this year will be an effects sequence which writes, for two seconds, the New Year’s Eve party theme in the sky: “Rio 450”. Same as last year there will be eleven barges floated in the bay releasing 24 tons of fireworks, with some reaching over 100 meters above the water.

Copacabana’s Réveillon (as it is locally named) is the second-largest annual event after Carnival in the city. Every year millions of Cariocas, domestic and foreign tourists alike flock to the shoreline of Copacabana dressed traditionally in white to welcome in the New Year along the 4 kilometer stretch of beach.

It is important to plan ahead as normal transportation into the neighborhood will be difficult in the evening, and Avenida Atlântica closes to traffic from 3PM in the afternoon. The metro (subway) will be operating a special holiday schedule in which tickets have to be bought ahead of time and are valid for a one hour period.

The programming for New Year’s Eve 2015 in Copacabana starts at 6PM and ends around 3:30 AM:

Main Stage – In front of the Copacabana Palace
– Opening with DJ
– Baia Toca Raul
– Detonautas
– Titãs
– Midnight Fireworks set to music
– Seu Jorge (Show da Virada)
– G.R.E.S. Unidos da Tijuca

Santa Clara Stage – Across from Rua Santa Clara
– Opening with DJ
– Bossa Cuca Nova
– Revelação
– Maria Rita
– Midnight Fireworks set to music
– Roupa Nova
– G.R.E.S. Salgueiro and G.R.E.S. Portela (25 minutes each)

Radio Globo Stage – Leme
– DJ Ailton
– Grupo 100%
– Grupo RP
– Leandro Sapucahy
– Grupo RP
– Midnight Fireworks set to music
– Styllo X
– DJ Ailton