Where in the World to Go for New Year's Celebrations
The end of the year is a time to reflect on the past 12 months – the highs, the lows, the indelible memories – and to look ahead to the promise of an unsullied new year.
It’s also a time to let loose and celebrate!
Given the varying requirements of those two experiences, there are few places that can guarantee success at both -- actually, we came up with 17!
Here are some of our favorites places to travel to for New Year’s:
Sydney, Australia
Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks are legendary, and for good reason: They’re shot off over Sydney Harbor, with the iconic Opera House and Harbor Bridge as backdrops.
In addition, it’s one of the globe’s first New Year’s celebrations, which is important if you like to celebrate each time a new time zone turns over the calendar.
Whether you’re joining the crowds at the Royal Botanic Garden or cruising the harbor, New Year’s in Sydney is one you’ll remember.
Tokyo, Japan
Compared to Sydney, Tokyo’s New Year's Eve, known as Ōmisoka, is more low-key. It’s a time for family and reflection, with a good dose of celebration.
Be sure to visit the Zojoji Temple, where the temple bell is struck 108 times to cleanse sins and bring good luck. And on New Year's Day, be ready to participate in hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, to pray for health and happiness.
Japan Travel Tips—Especially if it's Your First Time Visiting
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio's Copacabana Beach transforms into a giant party – Réveillon – on New Year's Eve, with live music, dancing, fireworks, and upwards of a million people dressed in white for good luck.
If you don’t mind big crowds, you can jump in, join the locals in making offerings to the sea goddess Yemanjá and dance samba until dawn.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a three-day party starting December 30, with torchlight processions, street parties, and traditional music. The party culminates with fireworks over Edinburgh Castle.
On New Year's Day, you can shake off the cobwebs with the Loony Dook, a chilly dip in the River Forth guaranteed to sober you up faster than a gallon of dark roast.
Find more: Best Places to Visit in the U.K.
Cape Town, South Africa
New Year’s is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and Cape Town does it up with fireworks at the V&A Waterfront and parties along the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton.
If you prefer an alternative to revelry, try a sunset hike up Lion's Head for a panoramic view of the city or a gourmet dinner at one of Cape Town's fine restaurants (with a bottle or two of the excellent local wines). And be sure to stick around town for the Kaapse Klopse minstrel parade on January 2.
Did you know Cape Town is also home to one of the world's most impressive botanical gardens?
New York City, United States
There’s nothing quite like New Year’s Eve at New York City's Times Square. Few experiences compare to hanging out with a million people in the cold, waiting for a crystal ball to descend 77 feet down a pole to mark the arrival of the new year.
Why a ball? Why a pole? Who cares? New York’s been doing it since 1907!
If crowds of that magnitude aren't your thing, why are you in New York? Actually, you have alternatives. You can book a reservation at a rooftop bar or watch the whole thing on TV. Have some lox and a schmear on a bagel the next day, explore Central Park, and call it good.
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Reykjavik, Iceland
At least in Reykjavik you know it’s going to be cold, and so do the Reykjavikians. That’s why they light massive bonfires and shoot off fireworks to celebrate the New Year.
Those big fires can make it difficult to see the northern lights, but you don’t have to head far out of town before you’re immersed in their otherworldly, pulsing swirls.
The next day, a dip in a geothermal pool followed by a roll in the snow will have you perked up faster than you can say “Þóra Snorradóttir.”
Exploring Iceland: Reykjavik, Waterfalls, Glaciers, and Lava Fields
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor hosts a dazzling fireworks display synchronized to music, accompanied by the Symphony of Lights, where laser beams and searchlights dance across the city’s skyline. Harbor cruises and rooftop bars provide suitably cushy vantage points.
On New Year's Day, if you’re so inclined, you can explore the city's temples and receive traditional blessings. Just remember two things: Hong Kong is extremely hilly and extremely humid, so it’s best to approach it clear-headed and hydrated.
Little known fact: Hong Kong is a family-friendly destination!
Venice, Italy
Venice lets in tourists for New Year’s, which is a good thing, because it’s an extremely romantic and picturesque place to spend the holiday.
Take care of the romance by attending the Festa di San Silvestro and indulging in dinner, drinks, and dancing, and then cap it off by joining the crowds in St. Mark's Square for fireworks and live music.
On New Year's Day, you can take a gondola ride through the canals or visit the beautiful Basilica di San Marco. No seasickness here!
Get travel Insurance for Italy
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is about glitz and glamour. Its extravagant New Year's Eve celebrations feature fireworks, light shows, and laser displays at landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah.
The experiences are only limited by your budget – gala dinners, beach parties and desert safaris are all within your grasp. On New Year's Day, come back down to earth and explore Dubai's souks, or relax at a luxurious spa.
Mexico City, Mexico
In Mexico City, New Year's Eve is celebrated with street parties, live music and fireworks centered around Zócalo, the city's main square. It’s a great time to enjoy traditional Mexican dishes like tamales and ponche (a warm fruit punch), with stronger, spicier food and drinks also on the menu.
The next day, you can kick off the New Year by visiting Chapultepec Park or the pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Why travel protection is a great idea for Mexico
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok knows a thing or two about unforgettable revelries you might not remember the next morning, and its New Year's Eve celebrations are among the most vibrant in Asia.
CentralWorld Plaza hosts a massive countdown party with live music, light shows, and fireworks, or you can cruise the Chao Phraya River for a spectacular view of the city's illuminated temples and fireworks.
Partake in any of the above and then cleanse away the spirits of the past on New Year's Day by participating in traditional Buddhist ceremonies at local temples.
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Auckland, New Zealand
Another summery New Year’s destination, Auckland is also one of the first major cities to welcome in the New Year.
It’s going to be a while before the sun goes down, so while you’re waiting for the fireworks at the Sky Tower you can enjoy a beachside barbecue, attend a concert at Mount Eden, and enjoy yourself.
After the fireworks, head to one of Auckland's awesome beaches to watch the sunrise. You won’t have to wait long.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin's Brandenburg Gate hosts one of Europe's largest open-air New Year's Eve parties, featuring live music, DJs, and fireworks.
On the other side, recover with a leisurely stroll through Tiergarten or a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial.
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur's New Year's Eve celebrations feature fireworks at the Petronas Twin Towers and lively street parties in Bukit Bintang. You can literally eat your way up to midnight at street vendors, high-end restaurants, and everything in between.
The next day, burn it off with a visit to the Batu Caves or a day trip to the Cameron Highlands.
Athens, Greece
Athens offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern celebrations. Cases in point: The fireworks over the Acropolis and the festivities in Syntagma Square.
Read our Guide to Greek Cuisine for American Travelers and treat yourself to a Greek feast in celebration!
The next day, continue the old/new thing with a stroll through the Parthenon or a scenic drive along the Athenian Riviera.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
New Year's Eve in Buenos Aires is celebrated with tango shows, street parties, fireworks, dancing, and music, particularly in Palermo and San Telmo.
After the pounding of the music ended, unwind with a visit to the colorful La Boca neighborhood or relax in the serene Bosques de Palermo.
No matter where you choose to celebrate, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day offer a chance to create unforgettable memories. Given all that might happen on a trip like this, it’s best to invest in travel protection.
Travel insurance with assistance services from Generali Global Assistance can help protect your travel this year or in the new year, or both. It’s easy to get a quote and cover your trip.
