The 10 Best Spots Around The Globe To Celebrate New Year's Eve
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Christmas is winding down, but the holidays aren't over yet! We scoped out the hottest places around the world to party it up for your New Year's Eve celebration, which is less than a week away.
Here they are in no particular order:
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An iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is not only a New York tradition, it’s a global phenomenon. An estimate of one million revelers will flock to the land of LED screens to witness one of the best NYC events in December, which includes star-studded New Year’s Eve concerts, the inevitable surprise engagement and a chance to be featured on live television. Note: It takes many layers of clothing, a strong bladder (no bathrooms) and a great attitude to enjoy the experience (credit).
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To visit Rio de Janeiro any time of the year is great but there are a few special times during the year for which the locals (Cariocas) really let their hair down and party. One of these events is New Year’s Eve where Rio and Copacabana Beach are famous for the amazing celebration and fireworks display (The other is surely the Brazilian Carnaval). In Brazil and South America, New Year’s Eve comes during the heart of the summer. This is also during the extended summer holidays when kids are off school.
Traditionally, New Year’s is a time of renewal. A time to put the problems of the past behind and look forward to the future and the new year. In Brazil, many people do this symbolically by wearing all white and even newly purchased/never worn clothing. Other local traditions include cleansing oneself in the ocean waters as well as throwing flowers and small mementos into the surf with the belief that if they do not come back, your wish or prayer will be granted (credit).
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One of the world’s 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 Kong’s Times Square shopping mall, where a replica ball drop takes place in homage to New York City’s famous festivities. Victoria Harbour is the center of the evening activity, though, so savvy locals party on boats, rooftop terraces, or at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Tsa Shui for the best views of the dazzling lightshow (credit).
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We can sum up New Year's Eve in Las Vegas in one word: Crazy. And we mean crazy in a good way. The entire Strip is shut down to traffic and it becomes like one giant block party for you and 300,000 of your closest drinking buddies. At midnight, the casinos launch a choreographed fireworks display that makes the Times Square ball drop look like child's play. Inside, the showrooms rock with the hottest entertainment and the nightclubs are packed with celebrities and partygoers who are dressed to impress (credit).
5. Bahamas
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New Year’s Day is just as exciting as New Year’s 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 Year’s Day Junkanoos can be found in downtown Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, along Bay Street in downtown Nassau, in Nicholls Town on North Andros, in Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay, and in Alice Town in North Bimini. Alternatively, big properties such as the Atlantis and the Grand Lucayan offer their own parties, some of which are family-friendly (credit).
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Whether you’re a party animal or a romantic, young of years or young-at-heart, a big spender or on a budget, Amsterdam is a great city to ring in the New Year. The Dutch know how to have a good time and the capital is a gezellige (warm and friendly) host.
The compact, easy to navigate city centre lends itself particularly well to impromptu street parties with throngs of people from all over the world joining in the festivities. Nieuwmarkt (Chinatown), Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are all popular hotspots in the city centre and clubs throughout the city host events catering to all musical tastes. Fireworks traditionally illuminate the night sky above the Amstel – an attractive spot from which to enjoy the spectacle on the skyline is the Magere Brug (credit).
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It’s no secret that Miami is a city that knows how to party. And what better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, than by taking advantage of the nonstop 24/7 action in the Magic City. Whether you’re interested in free fireworks on the beach, hot live music performances or an elegant dinner at a five-star restaurant, we have the perfect line-up of events for you.
Every year the Magic City offers a wide variety of New Year’s Eve parties like the City of Miami Beach’s annual New Year's Eve celebration featuring fireworks at midnight. Show up early to the beach at 9th Street and Ocean Drive and stake out a spot on the sand. Or head to Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami for another firework spectacular. Enjoy a dance party, live music and a countdown to midnight as the “The Big Orange” ascends to the top of the InterContinental Miami hotel (credit).
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“This city hosts some of the biggest and best parties in all of Asia on New Year’s,” says Sienna India. “The rooftop bars to watch the fireworks are unparalleled.” Check out Cru Champagne Bar or Flûte, A Perrier-Jouët Bar, the highest open-air champagne bar in the world. For those who fear heights, make a reservation at the Mandarin Oriental's Riverside Terrace—the hotel's annual black-tie Gala Dinner, overlooking the Chao Praya River, will guarantee an evening to remember (credit).
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New Year’s celebrations span three days in this vibrant South African city. On New Year’s 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 Year’s Carnival includes a carnival-themed train and live music. On New Year’s Day and the day after, thousands head to local beaches, and the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival parades through downtown, with 10,000 performers dancing and singing in the streets, a tradition that dates back to the 19th-century slave trade (credit).
10. Oahu, Hawaii
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Where did the year go? Many of you are wondering the very same question as 2018 fast approaches! The great news for those who will be ringing in New Year’s Eve in Hawaii is that we have gathered here the best picks for celebrating the upcoming circle of the sun. Whichever festive event you choose, we send you a hearty “Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!” meaning Happy New Year!
As expected, the island of Oʻahu always impresses with its exciting events held in celebration of the coming year. 2018 is no exception, starting off with the island’s famous Aloha Tower Marketplace “NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY OF THE YEAR.” Held annually, this December 31 fete features live entertainment across eight staged areas, with guests looking forward to concerts, DJs, a food truck arena, fire dancers, a mechanic bull, and a finale fireworks show at midnight (credit)!
