Christmas Eve at the Copacabana Beach in Brazil is an experience like no other. With large, enthusiastic crowds milling about, incredible music and a mindblowing light display, Christmas at Copacabana takes a regular Christmas Eve and turns it into a magical festive summer event. This is one experience that needs to go on your bucket list IMMEDIATELY.
Copacabana Beach is a 4 km long beach paradise located in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. It is part of what the native Portuguese call a Balneiro, a beach situated with a coastal resort that offers recreation, sports, entertainment, food, hospitality and cultural events. It also comes well-equipped with amenities including bathrooms, lifeguards, changing rooms, and picnic tables to accommodate the surging crowds that visit every year.
When you visit, you can expect a clean beach, sparkling white sand, and warm, inviting water. Sitting on the beach, you enjoy a picture-perfect view of the water and just beyond, of the Sugarloaf mountain.
During the day, it is a lively location with loads of visitors, kiosks with food and drink, and local vendors for rentals of beach supplies. You can swim in the water, sit in the sun, ride a bike, play football or footvolley (the Brazilian version of volleyball). You can also use the wave-shaped promenade to walk, run or cycle.
The incredible thing is that this beach comes alive at night. It has a vibrant nightlife with several entertainment options – bars, restaurants and hotels along its coastline. This makes it the perfect choice for a fun Christmas adventure.
Don’t miss…
A Non-Traditional Christmas at Copacabana Beach
Christmas at Copacabana Beach in Brazil is usually a festive event, with merry-making beginning on the 24th of December and continuing well into the next day. You can plan for something different. Book a trip to Rio de Janeiro and enjoy the magnificent sights at the Copacabana Beach. Enjoy Brazilian food for dinner and immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the beach and surrounding areas.
After Christmas Eve dinner, you can look forward to shows, concerts, live music, and lots of lights illuminating the shore.
Tips for Visiting Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Book a hotel overlooking the beach
You can avoid the hassle of having to deal with public transportation, by booking a hotel that is just minutes from Copacabana Beach.
A great option is the Copacabana Palace Just 13 km from the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and a short walk from the beach, this hotel boasts amazing service, a fabulous spa and a pool, in-house restaurants, and of course, it all comes with a view of white sand, blue waters and incredible lights on Christmas Eve.
Make an early Reservation for dinner
What’s a Christmas time vacation without great food? Before you get carried away with the parties and the lights, don’t forget to make a reservation for your Christmas Eve dinner!
Also located near Copacabana Beach, you can try Alfaia Restaurante for some authentic Portuguese cuisine.
As you would in any foreign country, you will have to take special care to keep your belongings safe. The locals are friendly and welcoming, but the crowds can get overwhelming and there is always the risk of theft if phones, bags and wallets are kept carelessly.
Staying around Copacabana Beach till the New Year?
If you’re staying in the area till New Year’s, you can spend New Year’s Eve at one of the largest New Year’s parties in the world. The Reveillon festival at Copacabana Beach is a highlight event in Rio de Janeiro. It welcomes about 2 million people every year in an unforgettable experience.
Tourists from around the world come together to meet new people, enjoy the warm water, and welcome in the new year amid a stunning fireworks display. There are free shows on several stages set up after the event. Plus, there is lively Brazilian music everywhere and parties until dawn.
