Key Takeaways:
- São Silvestre Paulista traffic will lead to extensive road closures across central São Paulo from 30 December into 1 January.
- CET will deploy 176 agents and extensive barriers; organisers expect over 50,000 participants in the 100th São Silvestre race.
- The metro will run with extended hours and selected stations open for boarding throughout the night to ease access to Paulista.
- Authorities advise using public transport and list alternative routes for drivers during the race and New Year celebrations.
Authorities in São Paulo have announced a series of widespread traffic restrictions on and around Avenida Paulista to accommodate the 100th Corrida Internacional de São Silvestre and New Year celebrations. The measures begin on Tuesday evening, with the most significant closures running from the early hours of 31 December into the morning of 1 January.
São Silvestre Paulista traffic road closures and transport advice
The city’s traffic engineering company, CET, confirmed a full closure of Avenida Paulista between Rua Teixeira da Silva and Rua da Consolação from 20:00 on 30 December. Race-related closures escalate from 03:00 on 31 December, when every street forming part of the São Silvestre route will be blocked to guarantee the safety of runners and road users. The race starts on Paulista between Rua Augusta and Rua Frei Caneca and finishes between Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio and Alameda Campinas.
Racing schedules are staggered: the wheelchair category will start at 07:25, the elite women at 07:40, and the elite men and general field at 08:05. Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants for the centenary edition. To manage the event, CET will deploy 176 traffic officers and use around 1,500 barriers, cones and signs, plus temporary fencing and tape to channel flows and protect the course.
Drivers should note a number of strategic tunnel and avenue interdicts already in place, including the complete closure of the José Roberto Fanganiello Melhem tunnel that began on 27 December. A phased reopening will follow a midday assessment of conditions on Paulista on 31 December and fuller release from 08:00 on 1 January after the New Year show.
For motorists the city has published a lengthy list of alternates by neighbourhood, covering Vila Mariana, Bela Vista, Jardins, Pinheiros, Pacaembu and Zona Leste. Common alternatives include Avenida Bernardino de Campos, Rua Treze de Maio, Avenida Rebouças and Avenida 23 de Maio. Authorities recommend avoiding the central corridor where possible and planning journeys in advance.
The São Silvestre Paulista traffic plan stresses public transport as the preferred option. The metro system will operate through the night during the turn of the year. Stations Paraíso, Brigadeiro and Trianon-Masp will accept boarding and alighting all night. Consolação, the station closest to the show stage, will close from 10:00 on 31 December and reopen only at 04:40 on 1 January.
Other lines and stations will have restricted operations: the main lines 1-Blue, 2-Green, 3-Red and 15-Silver will allow boarding until 02:00 on 1 January and then operate for disembarkation only. The concessionary Line 4 stations Paulista-Pernambucanas and Higienópolis-Mackenzie will be open for boarding and alighting throughout. Lines 4 and 5 have reduced boarding after midnight, and commuter lines 8 and 9 will limit services from 00:00 with 30-minute intervals later on.
CET has urged residents and visitors to study access routes and use public transport where possible. Police and event staff will monitor crowds and traffic throughout the night. For those who must drive, the city advises following the signed diversions and allowing additional travel time as officers progressively reopen streets after the race and New Year concert.
