Rio’s Copacabana New Year’s Eve Sets World Record as Security, Transport and Weather Alerts Shape the Night

Overview

• Guinness World Records recognized Rio’s celebration as the world’s largest Réveillon, with the certificate delivered to Mayor Eduardo Paes on the Copacabana stage.
• More than 2.5 million people are expected on Copacabana’s shore for a show featuring 1,200 drones, a 12‑minute fireworks display from 19 barges, and headliners including Gilberto Gil, Ney Matogrosso, João Gomes, Iza and Alok.
• Access to the beachfront is restricted to 16 checkpoints with metal detectors and facial‑recognition cameras, supported by about 3,500 military police, real‑time monitoring via the CICC, and staffed medical posts.
• MetrôRio runs a special operation requiring a prepaid R$15 passaporte and post‑midnight return wristband, with bus departures concentrated at the Enseada de Botafogo terminal and SuperVia trains resuming from Central at 12:20 a.m.
• The Navy’s ressaca alert remains in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday and forecasters cite isolated showers, while a spiritual foundation claims it is conducting an operation to avert heavy rain and steer clouds toward the Minas–São Paulo border to aid the Cantareira system; São Paulo’s Paulista party expects large crowds with a 15‑minute silent fireworks show and expanded policing, and Santos projects about 1 million people for a fireworks‑and‑projections display.