Shake up your New Year’s Eve revelry by seeking out a new perspective on – and location for – this internationally celebrated milestone. Major cities around the world each put their own spin on the festivities, going all out in their own way.
Join the celebrations on Copacabana Beach, the party at Sydney Harbour or a peaceful New Year’s Eve ritual in Tokyo. With so many exciting hot spots, the only issue is choosing where to celebrate. Here are 10 destinations where you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable NYE experience.
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Rio de Janeiro
With warm, sunny weather, panoramic views and a seductive samba beat, New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro is life-affirming. Festivities here are (almost) on par with the city’s famous Carnival, and the ultimate celebration is at Copacabana Beach, where an estimated two million revelers congregate each year for music, swimming, football, barbecues and a massive fireworks display. Smaller, just-as-lively beaches such as Ipanema and Flamengo are also worth considering. The restaurants along Copacabana fill up quickly, so early booking is essential if you want to schedule dinner. Try Rio institution Bip Bip for live music, and local favorite Pavão Azul for the octopus rice and batida de coco, a cocktail made from coconut cream, condensed milk and cachaça (a spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice).
Rome’s fireworks light up the Colosseum © Getty Images
Rome
Ringing in the new year in Rome is all about lavish fireworks displays against the backdrop of some of the most spectacular buildings in the world. Make your way toward he Circus Maximus at 9pm, beer or wine in hand, and watch the Colosseum sparkle under a sky of exploding color. In addition to fireworks extravaganzas, the historic square also hosts concerts, music and entertainment for all ages. Or try Via dei Fori Imperiali starting at 9:30pm for a series of concerts, and watch the grand boulevard transform into a lively street party. If you want to keep the party going on January 1, join the New Year’s Day parade at the Piazza del Popolo at 3:30pm.
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New York City
With its famous glittering Ball Drop, Times Square offers one of the most iconic NYE gatherings in the world. Crowds start queuing in the cold at noon on December 31 as they await live performances and a midnight rendition of “New York, New York.” But this isn’t the only NYE party destination in New York. A river cruise always provides a festive vibe, not to mention views of the fireworks as they ignite against the Midtown skyline. New York rooftop bars are also great locations at which to party. Magic Hour is the city’s largest indoor/outdoor rooftop and features an urban amusement park and Empire State Building views. If you want to stay away from the Manhattan madness, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park sets off its own midnight fireworks.
Locals ring the bell at Zōjō-ji temple to welcome the New Year in Tokyo © Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
Tokyo
Experience an alternative to New Year’s Eve partying in Tokyo with a visit to one of the city’s temples for the ritual of the ringing of the bell. At midnight, a monk rings the temple bell 108 times, correlating to the number of worldly desires recognized by Japanese Buddhism and purifying participants. The ancient temple of Zōjō-ji, which dates to 1393, draws both locals and tourists for the hatsumōde, a pilgrimage to visit the first shrine of the New Year. If you’d prefer more of a party atmosphere, Yokohoma across Tokyo Bay offers laser and light shows and countdown cruises around the bay. The Roppongi area is another NYE hotspot, with plenty of countdown events and all the tunes.
Cape Town
Cape Town is just coming into summer on New Year’s Eve, which makes for an ideal time to visit. Your NYE options are exciting indeed in this spectacularly beautiful destination. Immerse yourself in South African music at the three-day Get Lucky Summer festival, which runs from December 30 until January 1. You can also take a cruise around the harbor to see the last sunset of 2022. If you want a perfect viewpoint for the fireworks, pack a picnic and take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain.
The celebrations in Sydney are watched by one billion people around the world © Taras Vyshnya / Shutterstock
Sydney
All eyes are on Sydney for New Year’s Eve. Within the city, numerous vantage points for the iconic harbor fireworks welcome visitors all day on December 31; check online to see what time they’re likely to fill up (most close when capacity is reached in the early afternoon), and whether you can drink alcohol. Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden is a fabulous venue at which to celebrate the new year, as is Sydney Harbour National Park, with a choice of parties on three islands or parks on either side of the water. A very glamorous option is a ’70s House Party at Sydney Opera House (tickets start at a whopping AUS$850) or an NYE boat party on the harbor. There are also free events for all ages at Darling Harbour.
Bangkok
Another city renowned for its high-octane nightlife, the Thai capital doesn’t disappoint on December 31. The CentralWorld Plaza is the focus for much of the revelry, with a beer garden and live entertainment; the open-air night market Asiatique is another popular NYE destination, with restaurants offering special menus for the evening. There are lots of wildly impressive rooftop bars and restaurants to choose from in Bangkok – and you can certainly reach for the stars at the Lebua hotel at State Tower, with its four altitude-defying restaurants and bars, including the world’s (supposedly) highest outdoor bar. If you’re looking for a romantic evening, take a river cruise and feast on Thai food, music and fireworks.
Dubai
Dubai certainly knows how to throw a party. The fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa is so bright that it can be seen across the entire UAE. In town, there are numerous locations from which to enjoy them, including the breathtaking Kite Beach, where you can bring a picnic. Glamorous galas and gourmet soirees abound, such as at one at the opulent Atlantis, featuring a concert by an international superstar and free-flowing champagne, cooking stations and a massive fireworks display. The highly anticipated party at Zero Gravity features a “ritual zone” with a silent rave and edible bubbles.
Warm up with some ice skating in Québec City ahead of a chilly New Year’s Eve © Vicky Gosselin / Getty Images
Québec City
Temperatures average 16°F (-9°C) in Québec City in winter, but this charming town warms up on New Year’s Eve thanks to heated terraces and outdoor fireplaces. (Sipping on a caribou cocktail – a combination of red wine, hard liquor and maple syrup – can also help.) The main NYE party is at Grande Allée, with live bands, dancing in the streets, Ferris wheels and fireworks, and Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale is where you’ll find a big open-air dance floor. Sample some of Québec’s famous cuisine at Auberge Saint Antoine’s Chez Muffy restaurant, which showcases regional produce. But before that, work up an appetite by tobogganing at the famous Terrasse Dufferin slides or by skating under the stars on the ice rink at Place d’Youville.
Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Strip becomes party central on New Year’s Eve, when it closes to traffic starting at 6pm and visitors take to the streets for the world’s biggest block party. The fireworks display is choreographed from seven different casino roofs, lighting up the Nevada sky. North of the Strip, the Freemont St party downtown is always worth catching, with pyrotechnics, bands and a music stage with aerialists and dancers. This year you can rock out at shows from Bruno Mars at Park MGM, Adele at Caesars Palace and The Killers at The Cosmopolitan. Another great way to see in 2023 is to book a pod on the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, which offers impressive views of Sin City.
