Best Places to Celebrate New Year’s
I love the universality of New Year’s. Regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity, almost everyone in the world joins in celebration of a new year.
In Spain, they eat grapes with each chime of the clock during the 10-second countdown to midnight. In Greece, people hang an onion on their door to symbolize rebirth for the New Year. In Denmark, it is custom to throw dishes on a neighbor’s doorstep as a message of friendship and prosperity.
And in a great many countries, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with beautiful displays of fireworks, extravagant parties, music, and dancing. These are 10 of the most fantastic New Year’s celebrations from around the world.
1. New York City
Few places rival New Year’s Eve in Times Square. It is a scene of neon lights, musical performances, spectacular light shows and a 12-foot shimmering ball weighing almost 12,000 pounds. At the stroke of midnight, the entire square is engulfed in confetti as people cheer and kiss their loved ones in celebration.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds, another option is booking a table at one of the many bars and restaurants overlooking the square. Or, book a boat cruise from the harbor to enjoy a view of the fireworks on Liberty Island.
2. Sydney
Feel like escaping the cold this New Year’s? January is summer in Australia, and the perfect time to watch fireworks along the beach. You can also take a boat into Sydney Harbor, or sail over to nearby Cockatoo Island for a moonlit picnic. Another great option is to reserve a table at one of the many waterfront restaurants along the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
3. Bali
Another warm escape, Bali hosts some of the best beach parties in the world. The atmosphere is magical as fireworks light up the sky in all directions. You can enjoy traditional Balinese dance and fire shows along the beach, or take to the streets and partake in the carnival and New Year’s parade.
4. Berlin
Looking to do something different this year? What about…a pancake run through the city? That’s right, in the annual pancake race “Berliner Silvesterlauf” thousands of people actually run 4+ kilometers through various neighborhoods, flipping pancakes the entire way.
After the pancake run, join the biggest party of the year in the area surrounding Brandenburg Gate. The blocks are lined with food and drink tents serving Glühwein (mulled wine), currywurst, and German sausage. Various musical performances take place throughout the night, with a spectacular firework show at midnight.
5. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro holds the world record for the biggest New Year’s party in the world – over 4 million people gather along the beaches of Rio each year to celebrate with fireworks and dancing. It is customary to wear white, according to an age-old belief that this will bring luck in the New Year. Many people send off candles and white flowers into the ocean to honor the African goddess of water, Yemanjá. International DJs and various artists perform along the famous Copacabana Beach, and the crowd parties until sunrise.
6. Reykjavik
Can you imagine viewing fireworks against the backdrop of the Northern Lights? One of the few places this could be possible is, of course, Reykjavik in Iceland. With only 4 hours of daylight, the party gets started early. The locals build bonfires, sing, dance, and celebrate all throughout the city. Fireworks light up the sky almost constantly throughout the night – with a quick break from 10:30–11:30 as the whole nation watches “Skaupið,” a TV show satire on the events of the year. Then just before midnight, everybody reemerges to continue the celebration until the wee hours of the morning.
7. Tokyo
Old traditions meet the new in the celebration of shogatsu, or the New Year. New Year’s is traditionally a family affair, much like Christmas is for Westerners. Most people visit the shrines for the very important ritual of hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. At the strike of midnight, the temple bells are rung exactly 108 times. This signifies warding off the 108 earthly desires and the philosophy of rebirth in the New Year.
Of course there is no lack of partying either. Clubs and bars are open all night, and the sake is flowing. Shibuya and Roppongi draw the greatest crowds; whereas Ikebukuro is the best place to watch the fireworks in front of the famous Tokyo Tower. It is here that the crowd releases thousands of balloons into the air, carrying with them wishes for the New Year.
8. Hong Kong
Hong Kong celebrates New Year’s not once, but twice! In addition to the calendar year, Hong Kong also celebrates the Chinese New Year.
Along the waterfront of Victoria Harbor is where you want to be, enjoying the electrifying fireworks and light displays. Best of all is the grand finale: a pyrotechnic dragon appearing across the city skyline.
Hong Kong also holds a grand celebration Times Square, complete with a replica of the ball drop in New York City.
9. Niagara Falls
New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls is a truly extraordinary setting with over 3 million lights and exploding fireworks set against the illuminated falls in the backdrop. Every year, the “Winter Festival of Light” in Ontario holds a free concert extravaganza for all to enjoy in Queen Victoria Park.
10. Paris
New Year’s Eve in Paris has all the usual makings of a grand celebration, but with one very iconic backdrop – the Eiffel Tower! People fill the streets of the surrounding Champs-Elysees, popping champagne and papillotes (chocolates that are set off like fireworks). For a quieter setting, you can consider booking a romantic boat cruise along the Seine River.
According to my experience New York is one of the best place to celebrate the New Year. I really love…