In the last month of the year, Rio de Janeiro has an intense program. Christmas attractions, end-of-year parties, exhibitions, plays… there’s everything going on in the city this month! So here’s your guide to what to do in December in Rio de Janeiro!
Christmas in Rio
It ‘s December and the Marvelous City is in full Christmas mood ! So if you enjoy the most illuminated season of the year, it’s worth checking out the Christmas attractions that are going on around town.
One of them is Natal do Rio, a new event in the city, with a giant tree in Enseada de Botafogo as well as a gastronomic village and shows throughout the month.
The lighting show, which is open to the public, will take place from Friday to Sunday, starting at 7pm, until January 6th.
Lagoa Christmas Tree
For those who miss the Christmas Tree in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, it’s back this year and promises to thrill locals and tourists alike!
For this year’s edition, the traditional tree will have a 60-meter-high structure and around 20 kilometers of lights! In addition, the visual program will feature 45 light sequences, with designs typical of Christmas celebrations.
One of the highlights is the illumination inspired by Van Gogh’s famous work The Starry Night, representing each Brazilian state in a star!
The Lagoa Christmas Tree will be lit every day from 7pm until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, the lighting show lasts until 1am!
Candlelight Concerts
Want to get into the Christmas spirit in a magical way?
Then don’t miss the Candlelight: Christmas Classics which takes place on December 20th at the Museum of Tomorrow!
Also, keep an eye on all the Candlelight programming in Rio, as there’s always an incredible concert happening in iconic places in the city!
NEW’26 Sheraton New Year’s Eve
It’s impossible to talk about December and not mention the New Year’s Eve parties in the Marvelous City, isn’t it?
So if you want to start 2026 on the right foot, our tip is to enjoy the NEW’26 Réveillon Sheraton!
The New Year’s Eve party is famous not only in Rio, but all over the world! This is because it has already been highlighted by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best New Year’s Eve parties and also a global destination for those looking for an unforgettable celebration!
📌 Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort | Avenida Niemeyer, 121 – Leblon
📅31/12 | from 8pm
💵 Tickets here!
Michelangelo – The Master of the Sistine Chapel
Moving away from the Christmas and New Year theme, Rio de Janeiro is still buzzing with cultural attractions throughout the month.
Another incredible tip is to visit the exhibition Michelangelo – The Master of the Sistine Chapel, which is currently on show at the Centro Cultural Correios.
The exhibition brings the works of one of the world’s most famous chapels to Rio de Janeiro, with objects, projections and high-tech resources that make you feel like you’ re inside the Sistine Chapel.
The exhibition also delves into Michelangelo’s world and legacy, revealing the story behind his Renaissance masterpieces!
📌Centro Cultural Correios | Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, 20 – Centro
📅Until February 2026 | from 12pm
💵 From R$ 25, | Tickets here!
Chaves: The exhibition
Another exhibition that’s hot in Rio de Janeiro is the Chaves exhibition, which pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of the premiere of one of Brazil’s – and Latin America‘s – most beloved TV series !
In this exhibition, there are several immersive and interactive scenarios, behind-the-scenes curiosities, unpublished photos and much more!
📌Via Parque Shopping | Avenida Ayrton Senna, 3000 – Barra da Tijuca
📅Until February 2026
💵 From R$ 20, | Tickets here!
New Frequencies
An art festival dedicated to experimental music and the poetics of sound, Novas Frequências celebrates its 15th anniversary and presents a program with 28 attractions, bringing together established names and new voices from the contemporary scene.
The line-up reflects the breadth of languages and perspectives that the festival cultivates and spreads across different venues in Rio de Janeiro: Garage Grindhouse, Solar Grandjean de Montigny (PUC-Rio museum), Casa Firjan, Solar de Botafogo, Trauma, Parque Lage and Circo Voador!
📌Complete program here
📅 From 03 to 07/12
Comedy without Law
The National Arts Foundation – Funarte is hosting the show Comédia Sem Lei at the traditional Dulcina Theater in downtown Rio this month!
With tickets at popular prices, the show, which brings together the cream of Rio de Janeiro’s stand-up scene, celebrates 4 years on the stage and stands out for a curatorship that excels in diversity, bringing together artists from various generations and backgrounds to get laughs from the audience!
📌Teatro Dulcina | Rua Alcindo Guanabara, 17 – Centro
📅From 03 to 18/12 | Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm
💵 From R$ 17,50
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
The story of Princess Aurora takes on a new dimension on the stage of the PRIO Theater. As the lights go down, talented dancers light up the stage in costumes adorned with fiber optic lights, creating a perfect fusion between the past and the future.
As well as combining traditional ballet with futuristic visual elements, this show offers audiences a new way to experience ballet!
📌Teatro PRIO | Avenida Bartolomeu Mitre, 1110 – Leblon
📅04 and 06/12 | at 6pm and 8:30pm
💵 From R$ 92, | Tickets here!
Escape to the cities near Rio
If you’re going on vacation at the end of the year, how about taking the days off to go up to the mountains? Or visit a city in the countryside?
A getaway to cities near Rio can be a great option for those who want to escape the hectic routine of Rio this year and relax. Be sure to check out our guide first!