the season in rio officially starts the first week of december, on the moment the giant lagoa christmas tree lights up - the árvore de natal is the biggest floating christmas lights display in the world.    

with 250 feet of ever-changing led lights floating on a lake in the middle of the city, light shows, nightly water ballets and huge concerts every weekend through the holiday season this tree has become a landmark in carioca's culture and calendar.

christmas in rio, however, goes well beyond the christmas tree in the lagoa rodrigo de freitas - in fact, throughout the month of december, there are shows and events at every turn in rio, with impressive public nativity scenes in the centro at largo da carioca and in ipanema at praça da paz.