Celebrating New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro offers visitors a new take on the holiday. Not only does the hemisphere change give the event a long night of summer weather, but the city is notorious for some of the most fun parties in the world.

What would you rather be doing for New Year’s Eve? Chattering your teeth in the sub-zero climate of Times Square in New York City, or lounging on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro with a caipirinha cocktail in hand?

One of the most appealing aspects of New Year’s in Rio de Janeiro is that you can ring in the New Year in a warm, tropical climate. January is the summertime for Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro is known for its outrageous end-of-the-year celebrations.

Also called “Reveillon,” New Year’s in Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular affair, with nearly 2 million attendees crowding the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema each year.

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