12 Best Cities Around the World To Spend New Year’s Eve

Of all the holidays, New Year’s Eve stands in a category all its own. No gaudy decorations. No unnecessary family reunions. Just a beautiful celebration with those you choose to spend it with. For some, New Year’s Eve is the perfect holiday. 

However, for others, it couldn’t be worse. Some see New Year’s Eve as an excuse to get drunk in a dive bar, and toast to the crappy year ahead. If you’re one of those people, you just haven’t rung in the new year in the right place yet.

The place you choose to celebrate New Year’s Eve can make a world of difference, and with so many places around the globe to visit, you’ve got no excuse not to celebrate the way it was intended, especially after we tell you the 12 best cities to go.

1. New York City, USA

New York City is a classic New Year’s Eve destination. Not only are there thousands of luxurious bars, restaurants, and hotels to spend the evening at, but one of the world’s largest celebrations happens in Times Square.

If crowds aren’t your thing, try one of New York City’s fabulous hotels. The Pearl Hotel is right next to Times Square, making for a convenient peep at the outdoor festivities if you’re curious. M Social New York is another hotel in Times Square, and its stunning rooftop space is the perfect place to watch the ball drop while avoiding the masses. 

To avoid Times Square altogether, ring in the new year at one of the city’s unbeatable bars. Haswell Greens offers lounging, and boasts a midnight champagne toast, allowing you to start the new year in the classiest, tastiest way possible. 

2. Paris, France

Cap the old year and begin a new one in the most romantic way possible, which is obviously Paris, the city of lights and love. Here you’ll find everything you could want to make your New Year’s Eve special. Amazing food, impeccable ambiance, and spectacular wines, Paris has it all, and it’s on full display when beginning a new year. 

There are endless bars and restaurants to spend the evening in, but you can elevate your celebration in more ways than one. Take a dinner cruise along the Seine. See the beauty of the city while eating a gourmet meal, drinking a hand-selected bottle of wine, and listening to the perfect soundtrack to end your year curated by one of France’s best DJs. 

For an exciting end to the year, visit the iconic Moulin Rouge. Let some of the world’s best performers entertain you while enjoying a glass of crisp, fruity bubbly. Your celebration will be absolutely divine at the Moulin Rouge. 

3. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is one of the world’s premier cities. Its coastal position gives tourists stunning views of the South Pacific Ocean, and its New Year’s Eve festivities aren’t some that you want to miss. The city puts on an unbelievable fireworks display that’s visible from multiple vantage points. 

One of the most magnificent places in Sydney to watch the fireworks is the Sydney Opera House. Its location makes for prime viewing, and the in-house festivities are spectacular. Dress to impress to attend this posh party and enjoy multiple performances with a glass of champagne in hand. 

The fireworks can also be enjoyed while on a cruise around the harbor if you’d prefer to be on the water. Here you’ll be entertained with unforgettable performances and introduced to new people from around the world, making for the perfect New Year’s celebration. 

If it suits your fancy, watch the display from one of Sydney’s finest hotels. The Park Hyatt Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel Sydney are both splendid venues to spend your evening. A stay at both will certainly provide a night to remember until next New Year’s Eve.

4. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is another fantastic city with extravagant venues and a striking fireworks display to ring in the new year. Whether you’re partying, eating, or experiencing the culture, Lisbon’s got a variety of options to mark the new year.

Find yourself at the Altis Grand Hotel or Jupiter Lisboa Hotel for a fabulous party, or hang out in the Parque das Nacoes for a smaller get-together and separate fireworks show. If you spend your new year in Lisbon, you’ll be amazed by all the city has to offer, and you’ll be booking another trip to return later in the year. 

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is New York City on a beach. With beautiful soft sand, striking coastal hotels, and gourmet foods, you’ll be pinching yourself for having never celebrated the new year in Honolulu before. Immerse yourself in tropical elegance for an unmatched evening celebrating the old year and toasting the new one. 

Like most major cities across the world, Honolulu’s New Year’s bash boasts fireworks over the water, and they’ve got luxury cruises available to take while watching the display. Honolulu’s many hotels also host dazzling parties of their own, several with themes like funk and disco. The Aloha Tower Marketplace also throws a stellar celebration with live music, dancing, out-of-this-world food and drinks, and, of course, a countdown. 

If you’re looking for a more low-key celebration, travel 20 minutes from Honolulu to Kapolei, Hawaii. Here you can spend the day at the pool, and end your year in the most relaxing way possible by spending the evening at the spa. With world-class massages and facials, you’ll be totally zen going into the new year. 

6. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is not only one of Spain’s best cities, but one of Europe’s greatest party metropolises. Stunning beaches, epic food, fabulous nightclubs, and unique culture – Barcelona has it all. How could New Year’s Eve be spent anywhere better than here? The city is packed with desirable events to mark the occasion, but there are a variety of understated options to explore as well. Whether you want true glamor or subtle opulence, you’ll find it in Barcelona. 

For those looking for a wild and crazy start to the year, look no further than Barcelona’s Poble Espanyol. Here you’ll find the city’s best party, and it’ll last all night. For an elevated experience, upgrade to a VIP ticket to avoid lines and spend the night in a private area. 

Foodies will enjoy celebrating their New Year’s Eve at one of Barcelona’s delicious eateries. Many restaurants around the city offer a prix fixe menu for the evening, giving patrons a five-star gastronomic experience. 

7. Koh Phangan, Thailand

For an exotic New Year’s celebration, try Koh Phangan. This beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand is a hidden gem. Known for its fabulous beaches and lush landscapes, Koh Phangan will offer its New Year’s Eve guests both a party and peace. Whether you’re there to retreat from the demands of everyday life, or in search of an adventure, this island will give you exactly what you’re after. 

If you’re hoping to end your year on a super exciting note, and one that you can only do in Thailand, check out the Full Moon Party, Thailand’s most famous rave. Complete with DJs, fire eaters, and fireworks, this extravaganza is definitely the wildest New Year’s Eve party you’ll find, bringing thousands of guests together to bid the year farewell. 

If you’d rather chill out on your vacation, stay at the luxurious Anantara Rasananda. This exclusive hotel is the ultimate definition of relaxation. With private villas on the beach and an ultra-soothing spa, you’ll be starting every new year in Thailand. 

8. Rome, Italy

Rome is a popular travel destination for many reasons. The history, food, fashion, and beauty make it a must-visit city, attracting millions of tourists from around the globe each year. Given its popularity, it’s no surprise the Romans stop at nothing to give their citizens and guests alike a phenomenal New Year’s Eve experience. 

Rome is another city of romance, and few holidays are more romantic than New Year’s Eve. Welcome the new year with your lover at one of Rome’s most prestigious restaurants, Lady and The Tramp style.

For an intimate dinner with a breathtaking view, try Osteria dell’Ingegno. While you eat, you’ll enjoy views of the Temple of Hadrian, and you’ll be in a convenient location to take your celebration elsewhere when you’re finished. 

If you’d prefer a venue with dinner and a party included, dine at Baja. Not only does this restaurant have great food, but it’s also got a renowned cocktail bar, perfect for partying into the new year. 

9. Berlin, Germany

What’s something Germany is known for that’s also a staple of New Year’s Eve celebrations? Drinking. This historic city can throw a party unlike any other place in the world (with lots of beer), and there are hundreds across the city to enjoy. Rooftop celebrations thrive, classic Berlin techno clubs are open for days, and no matter where you land, people will definitely be dancing. 

If you’d like to watch the fireworks before dancing the night away, find a spot at one of Berlin’s scenic outlooks, like Grosser Muggelberg or the Spree. Both will give you an incredible seat to the show, leaving you mesmerized. 

If you’re in Berlin to party into the new year, you’ve got no shortage of options. Try Spreepalais Alexanderplatz for an upscale vibe, or HomeBase Lounge for unique architecture and tasteful interior design. Every location you choose in Berlin will have something special to offer, unlike any other New Year’s Eve you’ve ever experienced before.

10. The Maldives

The Maldives is a bucket list destination for many, but it should be a New Year’s Eve bucket list destination for everyone. Most people view this as the ultimate honeymoon locale, but it’s the perfect spot to celebrate New Year’s Eve as well. Full of luxury resorts and premier parties, the Maldives are sure to suit your fancy when traveling for the year’s end. 

Take your pick from the island’s resorts which each offer a little slice of heaven. Whether you book a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru or the Naladhu Private Island Maldives, your entrance into next year will be near perfect. 

11. Dubai, UAE

Dubbed as the Las Vegas of the middle east, Dubai is dripping with luxury. No place is more opulent, awe-inspiring, or spectacular than this city. People around the world are desperate to become citizens of this high-profile city, and even more desire to spend even just a day in its midst. Given its reputation, it’s obviously one of the world’s top destinations for end-of-year festivities. 

Looking to rent out an entire cocktail lounge for the evening? Call Noir Cocktail Lounge & Bar. Interested in a full-course meal with entertainment? Reserve a table at The Terrace. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the fireworks display to end all fireworks displays? Grab a seat at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. Anything and everything is possible in Dubai, and the same holds true on New Year’s Eve.

12. Cabo San Lucas, México

The ultimate party town, Cabo San Lucas is the perfect place to combine a relaxing vacation with an exciting New Year’s Eve. The place is crawling with parties for guests, each one better than the next. 

For a classy new year onset, attend the New Year’s Eve Gala at the Waldorf Astoria. This event is and will be talked about for years to come, as it offers a multi-course meal and wine pairings that you’ll crave for the rest of your life. While you’re staying here, take a cocktail or cooking class, or have a staffed curator create the ultimate stay for you based on your specific taste. 

For an authentic Cabo San Lucas experience, spend New Year’s Eve at the Mandala Los Cabos. Book bottle service for a sublime evening sans drink lines, and spend the next day recovering at the beach. No place on earth will offer you more fun on New Year’s Eve than Cabo San Lucas.