The word for New Year’s Eve in Portuguese is Réveillon, which actually comes from the French word réveillon, which means eve. Happy New Year is Feliz Ano Novo.

On New Year’s in Brazil, people dress in white, a tradition that comes from Afro-Brazilian religions. In the coastal cities, people throw flowers into the ocean as they make a wish for the new year, also based on African beliefs (principally as an offering to the goddess of the sea, Iemanjá). Also on the beach, people jump seven waves to bring good luck.

In Rio de Janeiro, there is a big celebration on the beach with fireworks.