Best Places to Celebrate New Year

1. It may not be for everyone, but theres no denying that New Years Eve in New York City has an atmosphere that few other cities can rival. Most famous, of course, is the annual gathering of a million people in Times Square to see famous musicians and the ball drop, in which a 12 foot wide crystal ball weighing nearly 12,000 pounds descends atop One Times Square. For a slightly less chaotic experience, book a reservation at one of the bars or restau .....

Rio de janeiro

2. If Rio is best known for its Carnival festivities, its New Years Eve celebration comes in a close second. Iconic Copacabana Beach hosts the worlds largest (and arguably) wildest New Years Eve party, in which more than two million people cram onto the two and a half mile stretch of sand. Known as R .....

Sydney

3. Sydney has two claims to fame for its New Years Eve celebrations first, because of its location, its the first major city where the clock strikes midnight; second, Sydney puts on the largest fireworks display in the world, with one at 9 pm and another at midnight, with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House making for a striking setting. More than a million people attend the waterfront show, which also includes an air and water s .....

Edinburgh

4. Hogmanay translates to last day of the year, but the annual festivities in Edinburgh actually last three days. Things kick off on December 30 with a torchlight procession through the city that culminates in a fireworks finale, while New Years Eve is all about massive street parties and outdoor concerts, including a massive, open air Kelidh (traditional Celtic party). At midnight, 4.5 tons of fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle while the stree .....

London

5. Londoners ring in the New Year as only they can, to the chiming of Big Ben at midnight. More than 250,000 people crowd the banks of the Thames and its numerous bridges to see the spectacular 10 minute lightshow and fireworks display, with the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament (also known as the Parliament of Westminster), and the new Shard among highlights of the urban scenery. The fun doesnt end there, though there are many after parties, and .....

Hong kong

6. One of the worlds most dramatic skylines lights up every year with a display of fireworks that grows more impressive every year, concluding with a dazzling finale a pyrotechnic dragon that dances across the sky. The events kick off in Hong Kongs Times Square shopping mall, where a replica ball drop takes place in homage to New York Citys famous festivities. Victoria Harbour is the center of the evening activity, though, so savvy locals party on b .....

Berlin

7. The German capital has a reputation for being a party city year round, so you can imagine what New Years Eve (known as Silvester) is like here. The centerpiece of the celebration is Party Mile, a two kilometer stretch of bars, international food stalls, laser shows, video screens, party tents, music stages, and more between Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column. After the fireworks show at midnight, the crowds head to the citys many dance floors, w .....

Las vegas

8. More than 300,000 revelers descend on this party capital for the big night, when the Las Vegas Strip becomes car free and transforms into a giant street party with live bands, pyrotechnic displays, and laser shows. The city also hosts a mind boggling number of concerts, shows, and parties in clubs, hotels, and casinos, meaning theres no shortage of evening entertainment options. Come midnight, fireworks are launched from seven rooftops along the .....

Bahamas

9. New Years Day is just as exciting as New Years Eve in the Bahamas, where the locals follow Junkanoo street parades that conclude with informal beach gatherings and fireworks displays around the islands. Featuring music, street performers, and colorful costumes, these parades, a sort of Bahamian take on Mardi Gras, also take place on January 1. The notable New Years Day Junkanoos can be found in downtown Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, along Bay .....

New orleans

10. It may not be Mardi Gras, but New Years Eve in New Orleans is just as memorable. The main event is a thrilling 15 minute fireworks show on the Mississippi River, along with the Fleur de Lis drop, where Baby New Year is dropped from the roof of the Jax Brewery in Jackson Square. Of course the night doesnt end there, as visitors and locals flock to Bourbon Street and the Latin Quarter, where music booms from bars and nightclubs, and the streets rem .....

Jost van dyke

11. You may call it New Years Eve, but on Jost Van Dyke, its Old Years Night. The festivities on this tiny British Virgin Island take place at Foxys Tamarind Bar and other nightlife spots in Grand Harbor, and draw a crowd from around the Caribbean and, in fact, the world. One of the most raucous New Years parties in the region, Old Years Night celebrations actually consist of 48 hours of live music, drinking, and eating; the annual event attracts tho .....

Walt disney world

12. New Years Eve at Walt Disney World is a dream come true for families traveling over the holiday. The theme park stays open until 1 am, but its packed with fun activities all day long. Leading up to the midnight fireworks show, there are Cirque du Soleil performances, dance parties, live entertainers, and confetti explosions to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Disneys Magic Kingdom is home to the Jingle Jungle Parade, while Epcot puts on an .....

Paris

13. The City of Light lives up to its nickname on New Years Eve, when the Eiffel Tower becomes the site of a spectacular lightshow and fireworks display. Nearby, Parisians ring in the Nouvelle Ann .....

Vienna

14. This atmospheric city is famous for its New Years Eve Grand Ball, hosted at Hofburg Palace, but theres more on offer than just throwback elegance. Viennas famous Christmas markets transform into New Years fairs, and hundreds of thousands of revelers crowd the Silvesterpfad (New Years Path) in the city center on New Years Eve. Fueled by mulled wine, the party starts at 2 pm and goes until well after midnight, with fireworks appearing over the Wien .....

Amsterdam

15. Impromptu street parties are easy to find in the Dutch capital on New Years Eve, but there are organized parties in just about every large public space, including Rembrandtplein, Nieuwmarkt, Museumplein and Dam Square. There are fireworks displays in multiple locations, best viewed from the citys bridges; after those are over, revelers head out to the clubs for drinks, live music, and dancing until the sun comes up. .....

Reykjavik

16. With only four hours of daylight in late December, locals in the northernmost capital of the world are ready to party like no one else. New Years Eve kicks off with community bonfires (they symbolize burning away troubles from the past year) around which people sing, dance, and play music. Meanwhile, fireworks light up from every corner of the city thanks to fairly relaxed government restrictions. As midnight approaches, crowds gather around loca .....

Miami

17. With its world class nightlife scene, Miami is a no brainer for New Years celebrations, and the city offers celebrations both free and VIP, and everything in between. (Thats not to mention the average temperature of 75 degrees.) The festivities in downtowns Bayfront Park start at 8 pm and include dancing and fireworks at midnight; in South Beach, Lummus Park on Ocean Drive hosts a party from 9 pm to 2 am, which also includes live music and firewo .....

Cape town

18. New Years celebrations span three days in this vibrant South African city. On New Years Eve, the Victoria & Albert Waterfront hosts a concert and midnight fireworks display (smart revelers picnic and party on Table Mountain for unobstructed views of the fireworks), and the Victoria Falls New Years Carnival includes a carnival themed train and live music. On New Years Day and the day after, thousands head to local beaches, and the Cape Town Minstr .....

Bangkok

19. This bustling metropoliss locals and expats come together for New Years Eve festivities, the centerpiece of which is a massive gathering in Central World Square. The crowd numbers hundreds of thousands, and entertainment includes a spectacular light show, live concert, and video screens projecting celebrations from around the world. At midnight, of course, a series of fireworks displays illuminate the riverside. Afterward, the party continues at .....

Oahu

20. This Hawaiian island offers a variety of New Years Eve activities in a gorgeous setting. In downtown Honolulu, the Aloha Tower New Years Eve party begins at 7 pm and goes until 2 am, featuring live music, dancing, and fireworks. Theres also a fireworks show at Waikiki Beach, which is a decidedly calmer affair. In West Oahu, Wet n Wild Hawaii hosts a daytime celebration for families, which concludes with fireworks after sunset. .....

Dubai united arab emirates

21. If you fancy a New Years with a difference, then check out Dubais Desert New Year Party. Featuring a live band, DJ, belly dancing, Sheesha smoking, international buffet and BBQ this is a party on a huge scale. At 399 AED (around .....

Tokyo japan

22. With celebrations lasting up to a week, Japan enjoys one of the lengthiest New Years celebrations around. Tokyo is where its at during shogatsu (Japanese term for New Year), although you can find something going on at virtually every shrine and temple across the country during hatsumode (a tradition marking the years first visit to a shrine or temple). The citys Meiji Shrine is well worth a visit, although as one of the countrys most popular tour .....

Kitzbuhel austria

23. How about spending your New Year en piste? No, were not talking about imbuing too much of the local liquor, but rather visiting one of Austrias finest ski resorts. Celebrations this year feature a unique firework display set to music in the Streif ski course region. You can also marvel at the talents of the Rote Teufel ski school all for free. .....

Niagara falls canada

24. Pretty much the largest New Years celebration in the country, the event marks the culmination of the Winter Festival of Lights. Not only is the event free, but there are no less than two full firework displays set against one of the worlds most dramatic backdrops. This televised event regularly attracts crowds in excess of 30,000, so a party atmosphere is guaranteed. Oh, and theres a music concert thrown in for good measure. .....

Koh phangan

25. Fancy celebrating New Years under swaying palm trees and a starlit sky? World famous for its full moon parties and festive spirit, Koh Phangan is a hugely popular destination for travellers the world over. Of course, New Years is no exception. Celebrations on this popular Thai island have been known to attract more than 50,000 revellers. Just dont forget your swimsuit. .....

Sydney harbour australia

26. Arguably one of the worlds most famous New Years extravaganzas Sydney Harbour provides a truly spectacular setting in which to see in the New Year. Its fair to say the Aussies know how to throw a party, with highlights including an immense firework display and parade of tall ships across the harbour. If youre visiting for a few days and fancy a little daredevil action, why not try the world famous bridge climb? Its worth noting that the attracti .....

Los angeles

27. We love Hollywoods exclusive club scene, rowdy pub crawls and over the top Cleopatras New Years Eve Ball, but this year downtowns new Grand Park features live music, art installations, food trucks and a digital video show on the walls of City Hall. Post midnight, head to Pasadena to watch floats being assembled for the legendary New Years Day Tournament of Roses Parade. .....

Iceland

28. When the sun sets around 4 p.m., visitors in Reykjavik bide their time while locals enjoy mass, neighborhood bonfires and an annual comedy show on T.V. Come midnight, though, Icelands capital explodes with 500 tons of fireworks. If youre lucky, the Northern Lights will blaze above the city, too. Making up for the late start, bars and clubs beckon until five in the morning. .....

Valpara

29. The biggest New Years Eve show in Latin America takes place in the Valpara .....

The Napa and Sonoma Valleys

30. While winter is the slow season in northern California wine country, it makes for a more laid back, less crowded holiday experience. On New Years Eve, many larger hotels and wineries offer their own wine fueled parties in cellars and wine caves, including the Black and White Gala at Etoile at Domaine Chandon, a candlelit multicourse dinner in the Trinitas Cellars wine cave at the Meritage Resort, and a five course dinner and masquerade ball in th .....

Bratislava slovakia

31. New Years Eve in Bratislava is as unpretentious as it gets .....

St Petersburg russia

32. The grand boulevards and bridges of St. Petersburg are at their most beautiful covered with a layer of snow and illuminated by holiday lights. The lavish Hermitage Museum is particularly striking on December 31, when its surrounded by crowds waiting for the fireworks show over the partially frozen Neva River. As the clock ticks down, they drink champagne and send hundreds of paper lanterns up into the night sky. Russians celebrate both Catholic C .....

Maui

33. New Years Eve in Maui offers options for any taste a lively hotel party; a romantic dinner for two on the beach; fireworks seen from a catamaran cruise or with the kids at a traditional Hawaiian luau. The real show happens the next day for those who rise early and head to the summit of Haleakala to start the New Year with one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world. Hawaiis melting pot culture means New Years traditions vary widely; among p .....