new year's eve in rio de janeiro is known as 'réveillon,' also referred to as 'virada' (turn) and it is celebrated on the night of 31st of December of the gregorian calendar, with a festive mood permeating the whole city for several days leading the main night.

like new years celebrations throughout the world, it is marked by great parties, resolutions and a jovial sense of community which is shared by all in the moments leading up to midnight.

the similarities to other celebrations, however, end there - for one thing, while the northern hemisphere shivers and rubs their hands together trying to keep the feeling in their extremities in the middle of winter, in rio de janeiro it is the middle of summer and the heat makes for an entirely different celebratory character in the city, as revelers are not confined to their domiciles or clubs, though there are plenty of those, and mostly celebrate the changing of the calendar in the open air.