Blogs

Rio’s Iconic New Year’s Eve on Copacabana Sets a Global Record

Jan 2, 2026 | World, Travel

January 2, 2026

Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous New Year’s Eve celebration on Copacabana has officially earned Guinness World Records recognition. Mayor Eduardo Paes received the plaque this week on the main stage being prepared for this year’s festivities, which will feature Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil.

City officials said the title was awarded based on the record-breaking attendance, the scale of the artistic programming, the citywide reach of the event, and its cultural significance. Drone footage confirmed that 2.5 million people packed Copacabana for last year’s celebrations, making it one of the largest public events in the world.

Paes called the recognition an honor, noting that few cities can consistently bring together crowds of that size year after year. Each New Year, millions of revelers—traditionally dressed in white—gather along the beach to welcome the year ahead.

For this year’s countdown, organizers are planning 12 minutes of fireworks paired with a high-tech display of 1,200 drones. Across the city, 13 stages will host free concerts, including three in Copacabana, supported by a security operation involving 3,500 police officers.

The milestone comes as Rio de Janeiro continues to surge as a global destination, welcoming nearly two million foreign visitors between January and November, another all-time record for the city.

Did you like this article?

Did you like this article?

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

Canada’s CEOs Make a Year’s Salary Before Your First Coffee Break

By 9:23 a.m. on January 2, 2026, Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had already earned what the average Canadian worker makes in an entire year. That striking milestone comes from a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), highlighting just how...

Deadly Train Collision Near Machu Picchu Injures Dozens of Tourists

A head-on train collision near Machu Picchu has left one train driver dead and at least 40 people injured, including foreign tourists, according to Peruvian authorities. The crash occurred Tuesday on the single-track rail line connecting Ollantaytambo and Aguas...

Colombia Announces Major Minimum Wage Increase Ahead of 2026 Elections

Colombia’s government has announced a 22.7% increase in the national minimum wage, raising it to 1.75 million pesos per month (about $470 USD) starting in 2026. The measure, unveiled by President Gustavo Petro, will impact an estimated 2.5 million workers across the...

Events

Related articles