in rio de janeiro, decorations include fresh flowers and the world's largest floating christmas tree - the days and weeks leading up the the world famous and highly anticipated new year's even in rio de janeiro, the city bubble up with excitement and energy.

crowded streets, shopping malls, stores, bars, restaurants, and of course beaches, are a bow to the importance of this season in rio.

with over 4 million christians of all stripes, and falling during the height of the southern hemisphere's summer, the christmas holidays in rio de janeiro are one of the highlights of the civic social calendar.