New Year's Eve is traditionally a time of celebration, and throughout Brazil, cities varying drastically in their festivities welcomed 2025 with open arms—and on occasion, with considerable chaos. The differing experiences of celebrants highlighted the importance of organization and transparency, ringing true from the vibrant parties of Cordisburgo to the troubling reports from Ilha da Gigoia.
One of the most notable incidents occurred at the New Year's Eve celebration on Ilha da Gigoia, where around 30 attendees filed complaints to local police over overcrowding and safety issues at the La Ilha restaurant. According to reports, the venue had promised food and beverages included with the R$ 500 entrance fee but fell drastically short of expectations. "Eram mais de 1.500 pessoas e ficamos naquele apertado tentando água. Fomos no banheiro e não tinha água ou papel. Precisamos catar papel no chão," shared lawyer Amayres Azevedo, encapsulating the frustration of many. Images circulated on social media showed the crowding and inadequate facilities, igniting outrage and accusations of financial scams against event organizers.
The restaurant later issued a statement clarifying they had merely rented out their space to external producers, expressing regret for the complaints as they too felt victimized by the disorganized setup surrounding the event.
While chaos reigned on the island, other cities enjoyed successful celebrations. Cordisburgo’s New Year's Eve was marked by what attendees termed one of the most vibrant gatherings, held on Avenida Padre João. Having faced challenges from heavy rains earlier in December, the weather cleared up just enough to allow festivities to commence without major hiccups. The event kicked off with live performances spanning genres from forró and samba to electronic music. Local government officials, including newly elected mayor Aldair, celebrated the buoyant atmosphere alongside thousands of attendees. "Encerramos com chave de ouro ... e chegamos em 2024 ao ápice dessa festa tão especial," remarked former Mayor Cássia Furlan, praising the event’s success.
Adding to the innovative spirit of the celebration, Cordisburgo implemented the use of low-noise fireworks for the first time, responding to community concerns over traditional fireworks affecting pets and individuals with sensory sensitivities. This initiative underscored the transformative and inclusive nature of the New Year’s festivities.
Just down the way, the city of Presidente Epitácio also saw record numbers with over 40,000 people attending their waterfront celebrations. The festivities began on December 30 with free admission concerts headlined by popular musicians. Secretary of Tourism Augusto Marinho noted, "Sem dúvidas tivemos a maior festa de virada de ano da história de Presidente Epitácio." The city's strategic planning reflected positively on local businesses—restaurants and hotels reported full occupancy, providing significant boosts to the local economy.
Given the variety of celebrations, it’s clear the holiday is marked by both joy and challenges. The contrasting experiences—from Cordisburgo's seamless celebration to the distressing encounters on Ilha da Gigoia—serve as potent reminders of the need for effective organization. For many, these New Year's traditions are treasured moments for memory-making with family and friends. Collectively, communities across Brazil embody the resilient spirit of New Year’s Eve, embracing cultural expressions of hope and renewal, albeit with room to grow for future festivities.