Réveillon
from French réveil, meaning waking
A long Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner held to stay awake until morning
A réveillon is a lengthy feast served on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve in French-speaking regions and Brazil. The meal keeps participants awake until dawn, marking the transition into the new day with luxury food and wine.
- Name comes from French réveil, meaning waking
- First documented in eighteenth-century France
- Features luxury foods like lobster and foie gras
- Provence serves thirteen specific desserts
- Observed in Quebec, Brazil, and New Orleans
What it is
A réveillon is a substantial dinner held on the night of December 24 or December 31. The event requires guests to remain awake through the late hours until the early morning. This practice originated in eighteenth-century France among the nobility. It later spread to other European courts and became associated with New Year's celebrations after the French Revolution. Today it remains a key social custom in many French-speaking areas and parts of the Americas.
Where it comes from
The term first appeared in eighteenth-century France. It described the all-night parties hosted by the aristocracy. The word derives from réveil, which means waking. Participants stayed up to witness the waking of the new day. After the French Revolution, the definition shifted toward New Year's Eve. The custom also reached Portuguese courts and eventually Brazilian society.
How it is done
Hosts prepare an elaborate multi-course meal that lasts for several hours. Guests gather in homes or restaurants to share the feast. The event typically concludes with sparkling wine or champagne. In Quebec, families often serve tourtière. In Provence, thirteen distinct desserts are arranged on the table. The gathering continues past midnight to welcome the new year.
Tools and materials
Menus feature high-quality ingredients such as lobster, oysters, escargots, and foie gras. Turkey with chestnuts serves as a traditional main course. Desserts include the bûche de Noël, or Yule log. Thirteen desserts appear in Provence, featuring pompe à l'huile and dates. Quality wine accompanies the meal throughout the evening.
Réveillon, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- French court tradition
- Timing
- late evening until dawn
What it is for
The dinner marks the passage of time between years or into Christmas Day. Families use the occasion to strengthen bonds during the holiday season. Friends may gather for a more festive party atmosphere on New Year's Eve. The extended duration allows for conversation and celebration well into the night.
Who does it
Households organize the meal within their own homes. Restaurants in cities like New Orleans offer special menus for the occasion. Franco-American families in New England maintain the tradition. The role falls to family members who prepare the food and host the guests.
Peoples and places
The tradition thrives in France, Belgium, and Romania. Brazil celebrates it as part of its New Year's customs. Canadian provinces with French heritage, including Quebec and Ontario, observe the feast. New Orleans retains the practice due to its French-Creole history. Other countries have similar feasts but use different local names.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Belief worlds
What people believe
Christmas réveillons retain a Christian character focused on family unity. Even non-believers participate in the domestic gathering. New Year's Eve events often shift toward secular entertainment. People may attend cabaret shows or watch televised broadcasts. The focus moves from religious observance to social celebration.
When it is done
The dinner occurs on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. Christmas gatherings emphasize family presence and tradition. New Year's Eve events allow for friend groups and public entertainment. The timing extends from late evening until sunrise, ensuring no one sleeps before the new day begins.
Questions people ask about Réveillon
What does the word réveillon mean?
It comes from the French word réveil, meaning waking. The name reflects the custom of staying awake until morning to mark the transition into the new day or Christmas morning.
Where is this tradition practiced today?
It is common in France, Belgium, Romania, and Brazil. It also survives in Canadian provinces like Quebec and in New Orleans, United States, due to their French cultural heritage.
What kind of food is served at a réveillon?
Meals are luxurious, often including lobster, oysters, or turkey with chestnuts. Desserts vary by region, such as the bûche de Noël or the thirteen desserts of Provence.
How does the Christmas version differ from New Year's?
Christmas réveillons are typically family-focused and retain Christian traditions. New Year's Eve gatherings are often larger parties with friends, sometimes involving cabaret shows or television broadcasts.
Good reading and sources
- Réveillon on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Réveillon", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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