Oh Christmas Tree, Big Brazilian Christmas Tree...

On Saturday beginning at 8pm in the baseball field of Canterbury Park the people of Rio will celebrate the 15^th annual Christmas tree in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The supersized Christmas tree is the largest in the world. Construction of the spectacle began in September, and twelve hundred people have participated in the creation of this year’s edition.

2009's Lagoa Christmas Tree

The inauguration of the tree is the third largest event in Rio, following behind Carnival and New Year’s Eve. This year’s theme for the celebration is “A History of Reunion.” Artists participating in Saturday’s event include musicians Milton Nascimento, Simone, and Ivan Lins, and dancers Carlinhos de Jesus and Ana Botafogo. Actor Edson Celulari will be returning to serve once again as the master of ceremonies. If you can’t make it to Saturday’s celebrations, you still have a chance to bask in the glory of the grandiose Christmas display. The tree will be accessible up until the day of the kings, January sixth.

Milton Nascimento

Ana Botafogo

How to get there: Buy a special pass at the Metro station allowing you to ride the Metro Na Superficie. The ticket will cost R$2.80 and you will receive two transit cards: one covering the Metro line, and another for the bus (called the Metro Na Superficie) from the metro station Praca General Osorio to Lagoa. Take the Metro towards Zona Sul (southbound) to Praca General Osorio, and from there take the Metro Na Superficie bus to Lagoa.

To return: catch the Metro Na Superficie in Lagoa. You can buy the pass on the bus to cover both the bus and the Metro. Get off the bus at the Metro station, and transfer to a train towards Zona Norte (north).