the days and weeks leading up the the world famous and highly anticipated new year's eve 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.

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.