Rio de Janeiro is one of the best places in the world to ring in the New Year (or, as Brazilians call it Réveillon.) While the northern hemisphere is freezing, the beaches of Rio are warm … and the men are hot!
If you only have 1–2 days in Rio around Réveillon
A guided “highlights” day is the easiest way to knock out Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf without wasting hours on lines and transit — leaving you fresh for the beach and parties at night.
Check dates & prices with Viator »
Réveillon 2026: a Survival Guide
Rio on New Year’s is a beautiful, chaotic, white-clad stampede. For LGBTQ+ travelers, it’s also a choose-your-own-adventure: Copacabana beach (free, iconic, and absolutely insane) or ticketed parties (expensive, curated, and also insane—just with open bar).
Quick Jump
- Book your stay (lowest rates)
- The Beach: Copacabana + Fireworks
- The Parties: Circuit + Clubs
- Don’t Be an Idiot: Safety + Logistics
Hotels and Places to Stay
Reality check: hotels sell out and prices spike hard for Réveillon. If you want Copacabana/Ipanema and you want it without a weird “surprise” at check-in, book early.
- Search Rio hotels (dates pre-filled: Dec 30 → Jan 2)
View deals on Booking.com - Copacabana stay options
Browse Copacabana hotels - Ipanema stay options
Browse Ipanema hotels
Two classic, beachfront picks (often pricey, often worth it):
- JW Marriott Rio (Copacabana)
- Pestana Rio Atlântica (Copacabana)
More options (and a bigger list): Gay-friendly hotels & places to stay in Rio
The Beach: Copacabana + the Fireworks (the main character)
This is the iconic, free version of Réveillon: Copacabana Beach, fireworks, stages, and a crowd so large it feels like Rio is trying to be seen from space. Copacabana is also the home of Rio’s gay bars and nightlife.
What you do: wear white, meet your friends at a specific Posto number, drink something cold, watch the show, and try not to lose your phone before midnight.
Copacabana Stages (Official Schedule)
Palco Rio (in front of Copacabana Palace):
- 20:00 – Gilberto Gil + Ney Matogrosso
- 22:30 – Belo + Alcione
- 00:12 – João Gomes + Iza
- 02:00 – Alok
- 03:30 – Beija-Flor (Samba school)
Palco Samba Amstel (Copacabana, near Rua República do Peru):
- 20:00 – Roberta Sá
- 22:00 – Mart’nália
- 00:12 – Diogo Nogueira
- 01:40 – Feyjão + Bloco da Preta
- 03:30 – Grande Rio (Samba school)
VamosGay tip: if you want “gay interest” without needing a wristband, the Samba stage lineup is usually the friendlier vibe. Also: the ocean is not a suggestion—if you jump waves, do it sober-ish and hold onto your friends.
The Parties: Circuit + Clubs
If Copacabana feels like too much humanity per square meter, the paid parties are your upgrade: open bar, bathrooms, DJs, and a crowd that actually planned their outfit. Tickets sell out. Prices go up. You have been warned.
Réveillon CHEERS 2026 (LGBTQ+ mega-party)
Headliner: Ludmilla
Where: Tribuna Social – Jockey Club (Gávea)
When: Dec 31 (Wednesday), doors listed as 21:00
Tickets / official info (Bilheteria Digital)
After party option (same organizer): VIRA – O After da Cheers (listed as 06:00–12:00, separate ticket, drinks sold separately).
GUAPO: Night → Day (two-part “keep going” package)
GUAPO Night Party: Jan 1 (23:00 → 08:00)
GUAPO Day Party: Jan 2 (08:00 → 18:00)
Translation: if you go, you are basically agreeing to be a beautiful zombie by Saturday.
Official updates usually appear first on their Instagram: instagram.com/guapo.fiesta
Local LGBTQ+ nightlife (for the sane)
- Pink Flamingo (Copacabana): drag, pop, sweaty dancing, and a very Rio mix of tourists + locals. Check their NYE programming on socials before you commit.
- More options: Gay bars & clubs of Rio
CLOSED (legend status): The Week Rio (no, it’s not coming back—stop asking your Brazilian friend’s cousin’s roommate).
Safety + Logistics
- Leave valuables at the hotel. If you wouldn’t hand it to a stranger at a music festival, don’t bring it to Copacabana.
- Phone strategy: keep it in a front pocket, zipped bag, or hotel safe. Consider a cheap backup phone for the beach.
- Stick to a Posto number. “I’m on the beach” is not a location. Posto 4 is a location.
- Hydrate. Heat + booze + crowds = you making poor life choices.
Getting to Rio
- Airports: GIG (international) and SDU (domestic, closer to the action). Find the cheapest flights to both GIG and SDU »
- Local transport: Metro + walking is often smarter than sitting in holiday traffic. For rides, use official taxis/Uber and confirm plates.
Visa note (important for some travelers)
U.S. travelers: Brazil reinstated a visa requirement for U.S. passport holders (eVisa option). Check requirements early—don’t show up at the airport with vibes and confidence.
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