Brazilian Cities Lock In New Year’s Plans as Rio Faces MPF Inquiry Over Gospel Stage

Overview

• São Paulo promotes what it calls the largest Paulista celebration, projecting circulation of about 8 million people with a major national lineup, low‑noise fireworks and extensive policing, health support and transit measures.
• Rio’s tourism agency Riotur allocated R$21.5 million to SR Promoções Culturais for the city’s Réveillon structure, as disclosed in the Diário Oficial, covering staging and artists’ fees.
• The Federal Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into possible religious intolerance tied to Rio’s dedicated gospel stage; Mayor Eduardo Paes defended the program’s diversity and said an AI review put gospel at 6.25% of performances.
• Diário Oficial entries show high public cachês for headline acts: Ana Castela and Simone Mendes at R$1.35 million each in São Paulo, João Gomes at R$1 million in São Paulo and Rio, and Belo at R$800,000 in both cities, with São Paulo listing R$5.8 million for artist payments.
• Fortaleza and Manaus released decentralized programs and operations: Fortaleza estimates 1.5 million at the Aterro da Praia de Iracema with detailed traffic, security and accessibility plans, while Manaus schedules more than 50 artists across three stages with low‑noise fireworks and published access rules.