More than 30,000 people gathered at Praça da Liberdade in Belo Horizonte for Virada da Liberdade 2026, the largest edition of the event to date. Organised by the Government of Minas Gerais through the State Secretariat for Culture and Tourism (Secult-MG) and presented by Copasa, the free celebration combined large concerts, advanced technology and strong displays of Minas Gerais identity.
Virada da Liberdade Belo Horizonte cements city as year-end destination
Officials said the size and scope of the celebration signal the event’s consolidation in the cultural calendar. Bárbara Botega, the state secretary for culture and tourism, noted the stronger artist line-up and extended pyrotechnic presentation as factors that set this edition apart. The festival’s growth has also had a measurable effect on tourism demand. Secult-MG reported an approximately 15 percent increase in hotel searches in the capital during the festival period.
The midnight moment combined a specially designed low-noise fireworks display with roughly 5,500 launches and an aerial drone show featuring about 300 drones. The coordinated lights depicted affectionate symbols of Minas Gerais culture — cheese, warm pão de queijo, mountains, the Mineirão stadium and coffee among them — prompting applause and emotional reactions from the crowd.
The evening paid a special tribute to Lô Borges, a leading figure of Brazilian music and a symbol of the Clube da Esquina movement, who died in November. His legacy was threaded through the programme, including performances by Juarez Moreira and the band Lagum, which featured Rodrigo Borges, Lô’s nephew. Before the countdown, organisers screened a video montage of Lô Borges’ career on large screens, creating a poignant moment for attendees.
Curated largely with local talent, the line-up spanned children’s music, instrumental sets, samba, pop and rock, aiming to reach audiences across generations. Event planners also highlighted an operational focus on safety and accessibility, with special measures for security, mobility, cleaning and services to ensure comfort and organisation throughout the night.
Virada da Liberdade is supported via the Rouanet Law incentive scheme and brought together sponsors and partners including the BAT Institute, Codemge, Itambé, the Palácio da Liberdade, Circuito Liberdade, CDL-BH and the Belo Horizonte city administration. The combination of public backing and private sponsorship allowed the state to offer a high-quality, free programme that attracts both residents and visitors.
For Minas Gerais, the event’s expansion marks a successful example of cultural policy driving local economic activity and promoting the state’s identity. With images of regional icons filling the sky and a significant uptick in tourist interest, Virada da Liberdade 2026 reinforced Belo Horizonte’s position as a destination for year-end celebrations.
Organisers have indicated plans to build on this edition’s success in future years, aiming to keep the event free and accessible while further developing its cultural offerings and infrastructure to support growing visitor numbers.
Key Takeaways:
- Virada da Liberdade Belo Horizonte attracted more than 30,000 attendees to a free New Year celebration.
- The event boosted hotel searches by about 15% and reinforced Belo Horizonte as a year-end tourist destination.
- The midnight spectacle combined 5,500 low-noise fireworks and a 300-drone aerial show celebrating Minas Gerais icons.
- The programme paid tribute to Lô Borges and featured a predominantly local line-up across genres and ages.
