Exciting New Year's Eve Celebrations in Brazil

edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady 

Copacabana might be the most famous party place in Brazil. Copacabana Beach will transition into 2010 with an unforgettable party, completely different from parties of past years as boasting a “Transformation” theme. The fireworks display will feature varied pyrotechnic sequences set off from 16 barges – doubling last year’s display – for 15 choreographed minutes of Brazilian music. The theme of this year’s Réveillon (New Year’s celebration) is inspired by New Year’s wishes for peace, health, love, happiness and prosperity.

One main stage and three smaller ones will be set up for artists to perform popular Brazilian music and Rio de Janeiro officials and event organizers are reporting this year, for the first time ever, the public will play an essential role in the show, linking what the firework displays to the stage and public activities. The entire show will be divided into eleven segments.

The party is expected to attract 2 million people to Copacabana, the famous beach on Rio de Janeiro postcards and future site of the 2016 Olympic Games. Rio’s 2016 accomplishment will be recognized with a special, 80-second firework display entitled "Brazil: Feel the Passion,” which was the Brazilian Olympic campaign motto. The city also wants to show visitors why Forbes recently ranked it as one of the happiest cities in the world.

"The public already shows up in full force dressed in white. This year, we are asking each person also bring a flashlight, a lighter or even a cell phone to help illuminate Copacabana Beach, “said. Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello, secretary for tourism and president of Riotur, the organization charged with promoting the city.  “This will make the party sight all the more beautiful for all watching."

Another noteworthy difference for this year’s revelers will be the Copacabana’s sound system boasting 39 high-fidelity sound towers equipped with a special delay system to ensure the public experiences every moment in perfect synchronization.  The system will also guarantee excellent sound quality for the public’s experience of everything from the shows to the countdown.

The party is organized by FiveCurrents, a creative production company owned by US entrepreneur Scott Givens, who lead the Disney 50th celebration, was responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies at the Pan-American Games and was a consultant in preparing Rio’s 2016 bid campaign videos and presentations.

“The audiovisual experience will be rich and unforgettable,” said Givens, adding that 16 tons of fireworks from Spain, France and China will be employed, bringing the total cost of the celebration to R$17 million. Outside of Copacabana, there will be many celebrations throughout the city, such as Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca.

Electronic and Orchestral Music Excite Crowds at Barra New Year’s Celebration

Those ringing in the New Year on Barra da Tijuca Beach will enjoy an eclectic music program ranging from electronic to symphonic orchestral music. A crowd of one million is expected with Rio Maravilha (Wonderful Rio) opening at 4 p.m. at the Itaipava Music Fest/Sunset Party. Sundown will be observed with performances by national and international DJs, such as Hector Lopez (known best for work at Ibiza’s famous Café Del Mar). Adding heat to the activities is DJ Tim Healey (known for combining house and electro-industrial music) and Electrixx (the electronic music project of German producers Erik and Marph).

In the second segment, the Orquestra Imperial promises to pack the Barra da Tijuca crowd with its big band sound. The symphony orchestra of Universidad Federal do Rio de Janeiro, the national university campus at Rio de Janeiro, will also take the stage.

The show’s third phase feature electronic music and a fireworks display choreographed to classical music beginning at 11 p.m. To toast 2010, a 15-minute fireworks display will launch from two hotels. After midnight, Dutch DJ Ferry Corsten, regarded as one of the world’s best trance DJs, takes reign of the party, offering hits mixed with classic touches as provided by the Orquestra Sinfônica. Finally, English DJ Eddie Halliwell will provide entertainment until the formal festivities end at 4 a.m.

More New Year's Eve Celebrations

In addition to the attractions available on the ground, there are options for revelers who want to ring in 2010 on the high seas. Each of the 17 ships that sail the Brazilian coast has a Réveillon offering.

Salvador

Attracting 37.4 percent of foreign travelers, Brazil’s northeast is the most popular destination for tourists from other countries. According to research by the Ministry of Tourism, Bahia accounts for 11.6 percent of these travelers to the Northeast.

“Demand for hotels in Salvador is always very high. Last year, occupancy was approximately 90%,” said Ernani Pettinati, president of the Bahia chapter of ABIH, as he advised tourists who want to spend New Year's Eve in Salvador to hurry.

The state tourism secretary expects some 400,000 visitors for the fireworks celebration at Farol da Barra. On New Year’s Day, the revelry continues on Boa Viagem Beach, with the feast of Bom Jesus dos Navegantes, the patron of mariners.

Florianópolis

New Year's Eve celebrations in Florianópolis take place on Avenida Beira Mar Norte, and are expected to draw 600,000 people. The city’s secretary of tourism has promised 18 minutes of pyrotechnics to accompany the transition ringing in the New Year.

According to John Moritz, president of the Santa Catarina hotel association, the hotels in Florianópolis expect occupancy rates above 90%. Statewide, demand is highest in the beach areas. Compared to the average for destinations throughout the country, tourists show slightly higher interest in Florianópolis.

During the summer, beaches at Joaquina, Mole and Barra da Lagoa, with their many bars, restaurants and small hotels, usually are among the most visited places in the city.

Fortaleza

Festivities at the Iracema Beach Embankment will feature a 16-minute firework display this year. The tourism secretary reports more than 700,000 people attended the beach shows last year and during the New Year holiday, hotels in the Ceará capital exceeded 90 percent occupancy.

A new feature for 2010 celebrations includes 80 four-inch and 50 six-inch jets mounted on metal grid structures. During the show, when the jets are fired, they will sink, then explode near the surface to create aerial effects in shapes such as brocades, palm trees, birds, silver and purple waves, or blue, yellow, silver and red chrysanthemums. In addition to the water jets, 3,700 one-and-a-half-inch rockets will be fired.

At the Dragão do Mar (Sea Dragon) and on Iracema Beach, nightlife is bustling. Another highlight of the Ceará night scene is crab with coconut milk and hot pepper enjoyed to the sound of good music or while watching the shows that feature the city’s famous comedians. During the day, the tents at Praia do Futuro provide good facilities for visitors.

Natal

New Year's Eve in Natal is celebrated on the outskirts of the city. According to the Rio Grande do Norte tourism secretary, two million tourists pass through the city annually. The dunes, beaches and rafting are the most popular attractions in the Natal region.

http://www.brasilnetwork.tur.br

Photo credit Marluce Balbino

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who would love to spend New Year's Eve in Brazil (or almost any other time) Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com