New Year's Eve fireworks over Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

© Wagner Meier/Getty Image

Midnight in Rio. New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day, is celebrated around the world with revelry, fireworks and for some, religious and cultural observances. Many countries celebrate with foods symbolic of prosperity, long life and good fortune for the coming year, and many people sing Scottish folk song 'Auld Lang Syne' at the stroke of midnight to remember old friends and past experiences. The new year is often personified as a baby, a tradition that dates back to ancient Greeks, often paired with an old man who represents the previous year.

Get-togethers are a common way to ring in the new year, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, throws a memorable one. Rio is known for many things, including colourful, exuberant celebrations, glorious beaches and the free New Year's Eve party at Copacabana beach, seen in today's image. Known as Réveillon to locals, this New Year's Eve soiree is the largest in the world, with millions of celebrators, including Rio natives who gather to honour their goddess of the sea.