After police confirmed that over 2.5 million people gathered on Copacabana Beach to welcome the year 2025, Rio de Janeiro was officially recognised by Guinness World Records for hosting the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world.
Mayor receives the award
Days prior to the city’s annual Reveillon for 2026, Mayor Eduardo Paes received the award with Guinness official Camila Borenstein at a seaside event.
“I’d like to thank Guinness for the tribute. Every time this story about the number of people at Copacabana’s New Year’s Eve comes out, there’s a lot of questions.”
“It’s obvious that even if it weren’t true, the celebration itself – the number of stages – would already be justified by the joy of the event,” the mayor stated.
“There is no place in the world that holds public-space parties with the consistency Rio does and with so many people. There isn’t.”
“I challenge anyone to point out a city anywhere in the world that does what we do. There isn’t one in Brazil or anywhere else. It only happens in Rio,” he added.
According to Guinness, the verification procedure included a thorough examination of official documents, aerial photos, and drone counts to verify involvement.
A record 2.5 million people attended last year’s festivities, according to drone footage.
According to city officials, the 2.5 million number only applies to Copacabana and does not account for other Rio New Year’s Eve activities, when millions more people usually attend extra stages and concerts.
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2026 Réveillon in Copacabana
Every year on New Year’s Eve, Copacabana attracts hordes of partygoers who typically wear white.
This year’s celebration featured 1,200 drones that illuminated the sky and 12 minutes of fireworks.
The largest drone ballet in Brazil accompanied the fireworks display, which had a unique soundtrack to honour Rio.
Furthermore, thirteen stages were also built, including three in Copacabana where 3,500 police officers were stationed.
Rio’s 2026 New Year’s Eve event represented a dedication to sustainability and a breakthrough in visual spectacle.
In order to become a “sustainable turning of the year,” the event will simultaneously implement a number of ESG (environment, social, and governance) principles, including trash management, carbon offsetting, and accessibility.
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