the public merriment takes the form of an opera, divided into three acts telling the timeless story of a child's fascination with christmas. 

leaving from posto 6 in arpoador, the parada makes its way towards avenida princesa isabel, where the 40 minute public show ends.

though in south america there are no pine boughs to be had, they won't be missed - there are plenty of lights and ornaments decking the halls with festive cheer, from the city streets to the ever crowded shopping malls. 

having bought their gifts and decorated their homes, most cariocas have an unusually plentiful meal with friends and families on christmas eve, before heading to the midnight mass called the 'mass of the rooster' (misa do galho).