São Silvestre

Curated by Diego Prado, Renaissance Navigator

For visitors from the Northern Hemisphere, New Year’s Eve in Sao Paulo is a truly exotic affair. For one thing it falls during full-on Brazilian summer, and it's incredibly hot. Second, one of the greatest traditions is a grueling half-marathon through the city known as São Silvestre. It may also be a surprise to see everyone dressed in white and wearing yellow underwear, which symbolize luck and prosperity. Finally, there’s a spectacular fireworks show, but there are also huge bonfires on the city’s most important street, Avenida Paulista. Of course, the parties are spectacular and go well into the next day. Spend your New Year’s in Sao Paulo for a completely unforgettable experience.