Things to Do in Brazil: Cultural Events in Rio
Brazil is home to world renowned parties and celebrations that take place all year round. Each year, the city of Rio de Janeiro hosts some 3 million international tourists and they all contribute year round to the festive mood and celebrations. The following is a list of some of the best festivals that are amongst the most amazing things to do in Brazil.
New Year's Eve
Ever New Year's eve, about 2 and a half million people get together at the world famous Copacabana beach, one of the most laid back and party going suburbs in the entire world, to celebrate the ushering in of the new year. The crowd dresses mostly in white and the celebrations last all night at hundreds of different shows and events which take place all along the beach and throughout the streets of the area. Chilled champagne is served to the public all night and at the stroke of midnight the bottles are shaken up and sprayed all over people. There is also a stunning fireworks display every year.
Carnival
This festivity dates far back to when the Portuguese brought the tradition with them from Europe. It takes place before Lent in February and in Brazil is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, African and Indigenous traditions. Traditionally parades take place throughout the cities of Brazil. Multicolored floats are decorated and there is dancing in the street at all hours.
The Cordao do Bola Preta is a parade that goes through the center of Rio de Janeiro. About half a million people attend this parade daily and it lasts for several days. The world famous Samba School also parades through the streets. The Carmelitas band holds a parade in the hills of Santa Teresa, which offer stunning views with the revelry. Finally, the Banda de Ipanema, which is the most traditional of the parades and is also the most frequented by Brazil's gay population (Ipanema is famous for its spectacular drag queens).
Sports Events
With Rio de Janeiro being selected as the host of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, in the upcoming years and during this special event there will be no end of things to do for sports fans who are visiting the city. Rio has also been selected as the host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The finale will be held at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil was also host of the XV Pan American Games in 2007.
The most popular sport in Brazil is soccer. It is home to many world famous clubs and players. Apart from soccer, tourists to Brazil can add the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix, the world beach volleyball finals, the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix, the WCT/WQS Surfing championships, the Rio Champions Cup tennis tournament to their list of things to do.
Dance, sport and martial arts are all very popular in Brazil. So is beach football, beach volleyball, surfing, kitesurfing, sailing, horse racing and yachting.
Brazil is an amazing country and is cleaning itself up for the Olympic and World Cup in 2016. Matt has visited the country many tips and has excellent tips on visiting Brazil and it's most popular destination, Rio De Janeiro.
