The return of the Lagoa Christmas tree is awaited by the inhabitants of Rio; The structure is expected to be lit around 9 p.m.

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Rio de Janeiro engineer Marcelo Souza, 39, was still at the event before the break. As soon as he learned of his return in 2025, he already made an appointment and showed up at the event door about half an hour before the opening, at 5 p.m., along with 10 other people.

— I wanted to be there from the beginning to enjoy everything until the end. grand finale. My expectations are always high because this is the time when the city starts to breathe Christmas, so it is a reason for joy. Plus, I’m distracted. This fireworks display is also always exciting, smaller than New Year’s Eve in Copacabana, but it is also one of my favorite events in Rio — he says.

Maria Orleide, 68, is originally from Bahia, but has lived in Rio for many years. She considers the Lagoa Christmas tree to be one of the symbols of Christmas and has never missed an edition since she started living in the town.

— It’s been five years without this tree, now it’s back, so I had to come — she said, adding: — I think the environment is really cool, it’s a great cultural exchange between people. Other years, even people from outside Brazil came to see him. I will stay here until the end to experience the entire event.

With the inauguration, there will also be a real fireworks display and a free concert by the Petrobras Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Felipe Prazeres. The group will perform from Tchaikovsky to Milton Nascimento, and will welcome singer Analu Pimenta to the old Complexo Lagoon, at 8 p.m.

Entrance tickets to the Lagoon event, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays, must be collected from the GoDream website and are free. Those for this Saturday, for the inauguration, are already sold out on the portal. Depending on the production of the event, it is possible that new tickets will be made available depending on capacity. If you just want to see the tree lighting, without access to the shows and structures, and on other days of the week, just go to other areas along the lake.

At this weekend event, there is a fair right at the entrance, sponsor booths, bars and food trucks selling drinks (including soda, beer, champagne, wine and more) and food, like burgers and pizza. The public can sit at the tables available on site, reserve a place in the stands or stay standing to watch the big moment when the tree will be lit.

The tree remains in Lagoa until January 6, lit from Sunday to Thursday, from 7 p.m. to midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. In the two surrounding areas, Lagoon and Parque do Cantagalo, Christmas programming will take place throughout the month.

In Lagoon, a fair will be set up with fashion, decoration, crafts, well-being and food trucks, as well as presentations by Diogo Nogueira (Sunday) and Grupo Focus (the 13th).

On the other side, in Cantagalo, children can visit Santa’s House, with free photos on Saturdays and Sundays, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., until the 28th — with special hours on the 24th and 25th.