Rio's Lagoa Christmas Tree Lights Up Tonight After Five-Year Hiatus

Overview

• The free inauguration features the Orquestra Petrobras Sinfônica conducted by Felipe Prazeres, a fireworks display, and a ritual that projects light onto Christ the Redeemer before the switch-on.
• Admission is free with advance reservation via the GoDream website, and organizers say more tickets may be released depending on capacity after Saturday’s allotment ran out.
• MetrôRio set special weekend hours and advises attendees to exit at General Osório/Ipanema, Access E – Lagoa, encouraging riders to top up cards or use contactless payment.
• The 300-meter metal barrier on Avenida Epitácio Pessoa aims to stop drivers from slowing or parking for photos, which CET-Rio says previously caused accidents and long backups, while pedestrian and cyclist views remain open.
• The 60-meter structure with 20 kilometers of LED and neon-flex lights runs nightly through January 6, with big screens at Parque dos Patins and Parque do Cantagalo and a Sunday show by Diogo Nogueira with Padre Omar.