New Year’s Eve is one of the best party nights of the year, as people all around the world come together to enjoy the last big bash of the Christmas season. Most large cities will have various events to mark the ticking over of the calendar’s largest number, but some towns enjoy a better reputation as a party spot than others. Below are some of the greatest places to celebrate the New Year.
London
England’s capital has long been a great place to see in the New Year, with fireworks exploding over the River Thames at the stroke of midnight and bars and clubs staying open late into the small hours of the morning. Book train tickets to London and make a short break out of it with plenty of free activities to enjoy, the fireworks around the London Eye are truly spectacular.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is an experience which everyone should enjoy at least once. A four day festival full of street parties, processions and a whopping firework display over Edinburgh Castle at midnight.
New York
Times Square in New York, to be precise. This free event is incredibly popular with up to a million partygoers in the area, but there’s said to be no atmosphere like it, even if you do end up barricaded in place until the whole thing finishes.
Tokyo
For a different approach to New Year’s Eve, Omisoka in Tokyo is the way to go. You start partying on December 29th, and can continue right through until January 4th. Sake and bonfires offer a different cultural slant on the celebrations, alongside the fireworks and dancing that also goes on.
Melbourne
While many in the Western world are used to celebrating New Year’s Eve in sub-zero temperatures, December 31st is slap in the middle of Australia’s summer months, so Melbourne already scores highly for being a New Year’s Eve party destination where you probably don’t need to worry about taking a coat. A more relaxed affair, with fireworks over the Yarra River, live comedy and even film screenings.
Rio de Janeiro
The place everyone thinks is Brazil’s capital is another great destination to see in the New Year. Head down to Copacabana Beach for the “Revellion” event with about 2 million others. There is a religious aspect to the festival for many in Brazil, with offerings being made to the Goddess of the Sea. Respect this cultural tradition, wear white, and dance, sing and party into the next year!
Summary
The above are landmark destinations to see in the New Year, but never forget that there is nothing wrong with marking the occasion in your local bar or town square with more modest firework displays, and that for many people the best place to see in the New Year is in their own home with family and a few friends, and a drop of fizz at midnight. For me, I’ll be seeing in the new year at home with my family.
Collaborative post