Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
New Year's Eve fireworks
Center
Presente de Yemanjá
Right
Cidade Negra performing
Festivals and Shows
!
New Year's Eve
$
Festa Literária
Internacional de Paraty
This gathering of acclaimed
international writers takes place
in the pretty little colonial port
town of Paraty, which is located
three hours south of Rio de
Janeiro. There is always plenty of
live music and other events on
offer here. Past guests have
included well-known novelists
such as Toni Morrison, Salman
Rushdie, and Michael Ondaatje.
d
Jul/Aug • www.flip.org.br
Rio's biggest celebration is
not Carnaval but Reveillon, or
New Year's Eve. Millions gather
on Copacabana beach for free
concerts and spectacular fire-
works displays
(see p25)
.
d
Dec 31
@
Carnaval
Carnaval takes place at the
start of Lent in February or
March. The parades take place in
the Sambódromo stadium.
d
Map
T4 • Sambódromo, Rua Marquês de
Sapucaí, Centro • (021) 2502 6996
• Feb/Mar • Adm • www.carnaval.com.br
%
Presente de Yemanjá
This New Year's Eve
celebration is dedicated to
Yemanjá the Orixá, the Goddess
of the Sea. Devotees dressed
in white gather on beaches
around the city from midnight
until dawn to worship her and
toss offerings in the Atlantic.
d
Dec 31
#
The Festa de Nossa
Senhora da Penha
Catholic pilgrims crawl or walk
on their knees up the steps to
this church for the city's most
traditional festival.
d
Map D3 • Largo
da Penha 19, Penha • (021) 2290 0942 •
Oct • www.santuariopenhario.com.br
Colorful Carnaval
32
