Where will you be when the clock strikes twelve on the 31st of December? Here is our rundown of some of the best cities around the world from which to bid welcome to the New Year.
London, UK
Big Ben awash with red tones on New Year’s Eve
When it comes to New Year celebrations in London, there’s really only one master of ceremonies. The Guv’nor’s name is Ben, and he is BIG! The massively popular London New Year’s Eve fireworks show, held a stone’s throw from the big clock, has been ticketed since 2014, to make things fun and safe for all.
If you don’t want to join the 250,000 people squeezed in front of the London Eye on the South Bank, head just north of the river to the Victoria Embankment, or walk through the twinkling grounds of the Palace of Westminster. Either way, the show is so stupendous that you’ll see it light up the night sky wherever you are in the city.
What to say: ‘Happy New Year!’
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Burj Khalifa tower around midnight on New Year’s Eve
A famously flashy Emirates destination, it’s no surprise to hear that Dubai loves a firework or two, or even 479,651 to be precise.
Dubai launched itself into the Guinness World Records in 2014 with the biggest firework display of all time! It was all designed by American pyrotechnic artist Phil Grucci, who committed ten months of planning to the six-minute show, which lit-up the showy 160-storey Burj Khalifa skyscraper and 36 miles of the pearly white seafront.
The city has since been ousted from its perch by Ciudad de Victoria Bocaue, Philippines, whose New Year’s Eve celebrations in January 2016 saw a record 810,904 fireworks fired into the night sky for over an hour.
This is not to say you shouldn’t expect bombastic things for this year’s countdown in Dubai – a place that doesn’t like to be outshone.
What to say: ‘Kul ‘am wa antum bi khayr!’
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Vilnius, Lithuania
A colourful New Year dawns in Vilnius’ Old Town © erephas
It’s tough to find a more romantic place to kick off the year than quaint Vilnius. Sure, the Lithuanian capital’s fireworks displays aren’t as flamboyant as the rest, but you get just as much bang at a half of the budget, plus the rare chance to soak up some of this overlooked city’s intrinsic sense of charm in full, fiery bloom.
When it comes to the big night itself, we could recommend many of the Baroque Old Town’s superb restaurant, nightclub and bar offerings but, for an authentic Lithuanian New Year’s, it’s best to take to the streets and make friends with the locals celebrating on packed street corners, before heading over to Cathedral Square downtown for the midnight fireworks display and partying until sunrise.
What to say: ‘Laimingų Naujųjų Metų!’
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is a fireworks Mecca. Get yourself a good view of the harbour on New Year’s Eve and enjoy the show! © Cell_cellphoto13
With the light and sound show – A Symphony of Lights – already offering visitors and locals a skyline spectacle on a daily basis, it’s as if Hong Kong is a sparkling wonder all-year-round. Show up on New Year’s Eve and you get even more of a show!
Fireworks were invented in 7th century China, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find thousands flying through the sky on the big night. For the best vantage point, you’ll have to show up early to Wan Chai’s Golden Bauhinia Square. If heaving crowds aren’t your thing, Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade just north of the Victoria Harbour is equally great.
Head here for street-side Cantonese opera performances, China’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Avenue of Stars, and the show-stopping fusion street-food that highlights the diversity of Asia’s culinary capital.
What to say: ‘Gong Hey Fat Choy!’
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Rome, Italy
Rome’s Trevi Fountain is as good a place as any in the city to welcome the coming year
If your idea of a good time is a bit of song and dance, then classy Rome is your go-to New Year’s spot. The Medieval Trastevere neighbourhood hosts legendary NYE street parties where guests share pleasantries, street sip complimentary Prosecco and dance to the street performances and flashing fireworks when the clock strikes twelve.
Another big hit is the Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium, which hosts a free concert every year featuring Italy’s biggest pop stars. For fans of the classics, the church besides the Castel Sant’ Angelo hosts an evening of orchestral performances dedicated to Italian composers throughout the ages, such as Vivaldi and Verdi.
But the biggest spectacle you can find here on New Year’s Eve isn’t anything that goes bang in the sky. Before the night party begins, head to the St Peter’s Square inside the Vatican City enclave at 5 p.m. to see Pope Francis presiding over the nativity scene. Don’t forget to don your best red underwear – the emblem of New Year luck in Italy.
What to say: ‘Buon anno!’
Reykjavik, Iceland
Out on the streets in icy, fiery Reykjavik. © Natesh Ramasamy
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik always offers up something a little bit different. It’s the land of fire and ice, so expect harsh snowy conditions tempered by warm bonfires and, when the sun sets around 4 p.m., the very likely opportunity of the Northern Lights illuminating the pitch-black night sky.
You don’t really need fireworks when you have the Aurora Borealis, but this is the one time of the year that fireworks are made legal in Iceland, so every neighbourhood takes great delight in putting on a panoramic light party.
Despite the near twenty hours of daily darkness, Reykjavik is a city that never sleeps! Once the fireworks’ sparkle settles, head into town to share your first drink of the new year. We recommend a shot glass (or two!) of Brennivín, Iceland’s signature schnapps. Be merry and worry about the New Year’s resolutions later…
What to say: ‘Gleðilegt nýtt ár!’
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Read more: Explore more of Iceland with our complete guide to your 10-day Iceland road trip
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Experience New Year’s Eve on one of Rio’s welcoming beaches
If you’ve tried the rest and now want the best, there’s only one place to go: Copacabana Beach. Two million people flock to this Rio landmark every year for the party – with bassy dance music, all-you-can-drink kiosks and a seashore fireworks display that lights up the horizon.
New Year’s fashion is important on this beach, with people showing up wearing the symbolic colours of white (suggesting peace), green (good health), purple (inspiration), yellow (prosperity) and – for the those seeking a night of Rio romance – red.
And, if you’re super superstitious, the local folklore says that you should make seven New Year’s wishes while attempting to hop over seven sea waves. Sure, you might get a little wet but, when the beach party is this wild – and the weather this warm – you really won’t care.
What to say: ‘Feliz ano novo!’
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Berlin, Germany
Head to Berlin’s Brandenburg gates for a view of the fireworks on New Year’s Eve
Pipping Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt to the top spot when it comes to the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Germany, Berlin hosts one rowdy New Year’s bash. The iconic Brandenburg Gate is at the centre of the action, playing host to a mile-long crowd in excess of a million that stretches to the Victory Column. This being the case, if you do opt to partake in this mammoth gathering – be sure to get there on time, as it gets packed all too quickly.
Should you fancy something more modest, you will find no shortage of smaller parties around the city, including some in some of Berlin’s revered clubs such as Tresor, Watergate and the hard-to-get-into-but-worth-it-if-you-do Berghain – a legendary nightlife bastion that has been dubbed the world capital of techno by some.
What to say: ‘Frohes neues Jahr!’
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Tokyo, Japan
The modern metropolis of Tokyo, bathed in a screen of colour on New Year’s Eve
In Japan, the New Year holiday, O-Shogatsu, is traditionally a time for quiet contemplation and family. Unlike the fanfare of other big cities on New Year’s Eve, Tokyo tends to be a civil, quietly beautiful affair. This is not to say that there aren’t fireworks galore – Tokyo is a New Year’s destination that offers you plenty of options – from blissful to boisterous and everything in-between.
Pay the first visit of the year (hatsumode) to one of Tokyo’s shrines at midnight or make your way to a temple, where tradition dictates that bells ring 108 times at the stroke of the New Year. If you want to get your groove on, head to the iconic area of the city where world-class restaurants and nightclubs await. What to say: ‘Akemashiteomedetōgozaimasu!’
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Honolulu, Hawaii
Start the year on palm-fringed beaches with warm temperatures in Honolulu, Hawaii © Kyle Nishioka
It’s hard to argue against a setting that offers temperature highs of 25 degrees and a consistent eight hours of sun. Toss in elaborate firework displays along Waikiki beach and a range of New Year’s Eve parties, club nights and cruises in and around the island of Oahu and you’re looking at quite a sizeable fest, quite literally in the middle of The Pacific.
While you’re on the isle, take your snorkelling game to a whole new level at Hanauma Bay Nature preserve or hike to the top of Leahi (Diamond Head) crater for some of the best views in town. What to say: ‘Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!’
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Sydney, Australia
Usher in the New Year aboard one of the many boats in Sydney’s radiant Harbour of light parade © Jeff Turner
Early birds keen on being amongst the first to witness the New Year will get a good opportunity to do so in Sydney. This New Year’s Eve party is, by all standards, a delightful affair. In these easterly parts, the fireworks start at 6 pm and run through the evening, culminating in midnight delirium that drapes the night sky in a sea of colour.
Head to the area around the Opera house and the harbour for the best views of the show, or find your way onto a boat or cruise (as part of the Harbour of Light parade) if you want to make the experience even more memorable. If you do your planning early, you may even get lucky enough to find a camping spot on Cockatoo Island – a UNESCO world-heritage-listed island in the middle of the harbour. What to say: ‘Happy New Year!’
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