With days away from bringing in 2023, many cities around the world are preparing to launch their celebrations. We have selected some of our favorite New year celebrations around the world. If you are interested in traveling to any of these amazing destinations, make sure to check out the website for special deals!
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New York City
Each year, millions of eyes from all over the world watch the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball. At 11:59 p.m. The Ball begins its descent as millions of voices unite to countdown the final seconds of the year. It celebrates the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes, and dreams.
Revelers began celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square as early as 1904. However, it was in 1907 that the New Year’s Eve Ball made its maiden descent. There are seven versions of the ball.
The first New Year’s Eve Ball was made of iron and wood. It was adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter, and weighed 700 pounds. A young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr built it. For most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was responsible for lowering the Ball.
History of the Ball
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943. The ceremony was suspended due to the wartime “dim-out” of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square. Crowds greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks. It was a harkening back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church. During those times, crowds would gather to “ring out the old, ring in the new.”
In 1920, a 400-pound Ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the iron Ball was replaced with an aluminum Ball weighing a mere 150 pounds. This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s. At that time, red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem converted the Ball into an apple. This was for the “I Love New York” marketing campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball, with white light bulbs and without the green stem, returned. In 1995, the Ball was upgraded. It was decorated with aluminum skin, rhinestones, and strobes. However, the aluminum Ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
Monumental Celebrations
For the millennium celebration, the New Year’s Eve Ball was completely redesigned by Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting. The crystal Ball combined the latest in lighting technology with the most traditional of materials. Thus reminding us of our past as we gazed into the future and the beginning of a new millennium.
In 2007, for the 100th anniversary of the ball drop tradition, the ball was transformed. Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting crafted a spectacular new LED crystal Ball. The incandescent and halogen bulbs of the past century were replaced. State-of-the-art Philips Luxeon LED lighting technology was added. That dramatically increased the brightness and color capabilities of the Ball.
The beauty and energy efficiency of the Centennial Ball inspired the building owners of Times Square. They decided to build the permanent Big Ball weighing nearly six tons and twelve feet in diameter. The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs. This Big Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is now a year-round attraction. It sparkles above Times Square in full public view from January through December.
Modern Day
Today, New Year’s Eve in Times Square is a bona fide international phenomenon. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people still gather around the Tower. Many wait for hours in the cold of a New York winter for the famous Ball-lowering ceremony. Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watch the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world’s symbolic welcome to the New Year.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are watched by more than one million people around the harbor, plus another one billion people on television around the globe. The annual fireworks show began in 1976. The show has blossomed into one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations on the planet. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors from Australia and abroad to this must-see live Sydney event.
The Sydney New Year’s Eve Party is one of the largest and most advanced fireworks displays anywhere on earth. Typically, it has a budget of $7 million for around eight tons of fireworks. The show is truly massive – it takes 15 months of planning. There are 18 shipping containers packed to the brim with pyrotechnic equipment. Sydney likes to enter the New Year in a haze of explosions.
Details of the Celebration
The New Year celebration in Sydney usually includes two spectacular fireworks displays. The ‘family fireworks’ at 9pm. Second, the big show at midnight, which typically goes for longer and is even more impressive. Fireworks are detonated off a series of barges on either side of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. This is the centerpiece of the celebration.
There is a different theme for Sydney New Year every year. A different symbol lighting up the middle of the Sydney Harbor Bridge is displayed annually. Sydney welcomed the new millennium with the city’s symbolic “Eternity” message. In 2003 it was a “celebration in unity” with the dove of peace. In 2012 it was “time to dream” with a thought bubble. Furthermore, in 2015 we were “inspired” by a glowing lightbulb. Finally, 2019’s was “The pulse of Sydney.” The pulse of Sydney pumps away furiously on this night of nights.
Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Almost all Brazilians will celebrate New Year’s night dressed in white from head to toe. White is considered good luck for the next year. Sometimes, people will add a piece of color to their outfits. Whether it’s a belt or a flower in their hair, these highlights of colors are considered to bring blessings. For example, red for romance, green for health, and yellow for success, for example.
The white that you’ll see everyone wearing is a Bahian tradition (a nearby state in Brazil). It pays tribute to the Afro-Brazilian, or macumba, sea goddess Lemanjã. Many Brazilians will bring flowers to the sea, and toss them into the ocean. Sometimes along with soaps and make-up such as lipstick to pay tribute. These offerings to Lemanjã are done to acknowledge a wish that was granted the previous year. At times it is also to show gratitude for a blessing bestowed.
Traditionally this is to be offered into the sea just a few minutes before midnight. With luck, the tide will receive their gifts and carry them to the embrace of Lemanjã.
Epic Celebration
Rio’s second biggest party – only slightly trailing Carnival – is New Year’s Eve, also locally called “Reveillon”, along Copacabana Beach. Additionally, there is no cost to the beach celebration.
More than 2.5 million tourists and Cariocas come every year to the legendary beach to celebrate the changing of the year. It is one of the world’s biggest and best parties. Partiers start to arrive on Copacabana Beach early in the day, to set up their stay for the rest of the day and night. By the time evening, the beach is pulsating with people waiting to ring in the new year. By the time midnight arrives, close to 3 million people are on the beach.
Fireworks
Fireworks begin naturally right at midnight, which is set off from the boats and barges that are anchored in the Copacabana harbor. They last for about 20 minutes, and are a great spectacle themselves, as the organizers seem to outdo themselves every year. At the end of Copacabana Beach, at the “Forte de Copacabana”, there is a giant Ferris wheel that is set up for New Year as well. The Ferris wheel is a great way to view the mayhem and throngs of people lined up all along the beach.
One of the great scenes of New Year in Rio de Janeiro is seeing all the majestic cruise ships that come into the harbor and spend the night celebrating the incoming year as well, just from the comfort of their ship, rather than being part of the actual party on the sand. The sight of the lit-up cruise ships sitting in the harbor looks like clusters of diamonds sitting in the sea and is a very iconic memory of your Rio New Year.
Cape Town, South Africa
Victoria and Albert Waterfront is a busy entertainment area and the premier spot to celebrate NYE in Cape Town. In addition to many bars and hotel events, V&A hosts a massive countdown with a laser show, live music, DJs, dancers, and various performers. The celebration starts at about 6:30 pm and ends at midnight with a dazzling fireworks display.
The V&A promenade area is the best location to watch the fireworks over the harbor. Cape Town also boasts a wide variety of rooftop bars, like the Red Roof at the Radisson RED. Another great idea is to board the Cape Wheel at the Waterfront and see the stunning harbor lights from an observation wheel’s 130-ft elevation. Many locals also prefer to watch the fireworks from the famous Table Mountain.
After the Party
After the New Year party, most stores and commercial places will be closed for a few days; this means you have a great opportunity to explore Cape Town’s natural wonderlands. Start with Cape Point, which sits at the southwestern end of Africa. The captivating scenery and superb landscapes have remained the same for centuries. The sandy beaches, rugged coastline, mountains, and valleys are a true haven for cyclists, hikers, and joggers. It’s such a great place to admire mostly because of its fantastic allure and rugged appeal.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, people celebrate the beginning of the new lunar year, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The Hong Kong New Year celebrations can take many forms—from lion dances to fireworks, and even the Hong Kong New Year countdown. Many of these celebrations for the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong have their roots in tradition. Thus learning about this holiday and how it’s celebrated will help you know more about Hong Kong culture as a whole.
Fireworks
On the second day of the Spring Festival, Victoria Harbor roars with a giant firework display with choreographed pyrotechnics. The show lasts for about 25 minutes. It usually coincides with the daily record-setting Symphony of Lights with its colorful building lights and laser light show.
The best places to view the display are both sides of the harbor front in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, by boat on the water, or from The Peak. A more enjoyable and less-crowded way is to reserve a spot at a restaurant or bar or sit in a hotel room with a harbor view.
Lantern Festival
During the Spring Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year, Hong Kong will be decorated with thousands of colorful lanterns. It is a tradition to hold a lantern carnival at Tsim Sha Tsui at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.
Apart from lantern displays, you can see some performances, such as acrobatics, folk songs, and dances, and cultural activities, such as lantern making.
Flower Market
In both Hong Kong and Macau, on Chinese New Year’s Day, it is a big custom for people to give fresh flowers, potted plants, and bouquets as gifts. They crowd the flower markets several days before, especially on the eve of Chinese New Year.
This custom has a lot of sentimental and emotional significance. The various kinds of flowers given as gifts denote different wishes or signs. However, in 2022, Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year flower markets will be greatly curtailed. However, we suggest that you can enjoy Macau’s flower markets and Chinese New Year festivities as an alternative.
Bangkok, Thailand
Just like many countries around the world, 31 December sees a large-scale and popular countdown to the new year, most visibly on the streets of Siam in the center of Bangkok. Right in front of the capital’s flagship shopping center Central World, as many as hundreds of thousands of people pack onto the street to countdown those final seconds to midnight and see in a new year.
The event is so popular that ‘countdown’ almost seems to have become a synonym for ‘new year’ among Thai speakers. The high-energy lineup includes a series of concert performances by popular Thai artists and appearances by celebrities, in the run-up to the final countdown and an impressive fireworks display.
Chao Phraya River Fireworks
The cruise boats which operate on the Cho Phraya river year round up their game on New Year’s Eve, and put on special Thai and international buffet dinners – or extravagant full-service meals with as many as ten courses – to enjoy with free-flow drinks as their converted barges float ceremoniously along Bangkok’s mighty River of Kings, with its picturesque temples and other famous sights to spot along the river banks.
Certainly, a memorable way to see the new year in Bangkok, expect plenty of bright lights and onboard entertainment including live bands and some of Thailand’s infamous cabaret shows. There are plenty of operators to choose from; on some cruises, you will be able to enjoy the countdown to midnight and watch a riverside fireworks display from on the boat itself, while others will dock at a hotel along the river to allow you to finish the night in style there.
Temple in Bangkok
Even though the Thai New Year is not until mid-April, a lot of Thai Buddhists celebrate it by going to a temple on New Year’s Eve. In fact, plenty will then also visit each of the nine sacred temples in Bangkok on New Year’s Day! Most temples have a ceremony, known as Suad Mont Kham Pi, that goes on throughout the evening (and at midnight), meaning you can simply pop into the temple nearest you. Alternatively, by visiting a temple near the river – such as Wat Yannawa – you will get to see fireworks in the background at midnight while enjoying the temple ceremony. Another great temple to check out is Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), from where you can get great views over the city. Finally, there is also a big New Year’s Eve gathering at Sanam Luang.
Dubai, UAE
On New Year’s Eve, each of the most famous places of interest in Dubai attracts tourists with its incredible fireworks. It should be noted that due to these fireworks, the Dubai megalopolis has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. You can see the myriads of lights without leaving your hotel complex or going directly to the place of the event. New Year’s celebration is hard to imagine without colorful fireworks, so do not miss the opportunity to take part in the next world record.
For those who prefer to celebrate the New Year in nightclubs and bars, Dubai will give an unforgettable experience. You can be a guest of striking beach parties in Dubai or visit any nightclub where the world’s most famous DJs will play for you. An easy holiday atmosphere and energetic dancing are available abundantly for you. Such a holiday is difficult to forget!
Desert Safari
Head deep into the heart of the desert and witness one of the most stunning sunsets of your life. You’ll be guided to a posh Bedouin desert camp and greeted with a traditional Arabian welcome. Next, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner that includes barbecue meats, salads, an array of main-course dishes, and plenty of desserts. The ambiance is nothing short of enchanting. It’s an unforgettable evening of camel riding, sand boarding, henna painting, sheesha, and belly dancing.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the most popular cities in Europe in which to ring in the New Year, with sparkling options for every kind of reveler. There are hundreds of parties and club nights taking place in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve, from elegant black-tie affairs to behemoth warehouse raves. Popular places to dance your way into the new year are the annual Awakenings bash at Gashouder or Encore at Melkweg. Moreover, you can find plenty more New year’s Eve parties in our NYE event guide. Hence don’t wait – tickets for New Year’s Eve parties in Amsterdam tend to sell out early.
Popular Pastries
No Dutch New year’s Eve celebration is complete without piles of these deep-fried dough balls, and a good supply of champagne to wash them down with. Eating oliebollen (oily balls) at midnight is one of the most widespread New Year’s Eve traditions in the Netherlands. They have their roots in an ancient Germanic myth- oliebollen are consumed to ward off evil spirits. Like we need an excuse. You’ll find them sold at street vendors throughout the city (see our list of the best oliebollen in Amsterdam), but do be prepared for a bit of a queue on New Year’s Eve.
Fireworks
The fireworks in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve really are something else. In order to really appreciate the full spectacle it’s best to find somewhere high up to view them from. Many Amsterdammers will retreat to a house-with-a-roof-terrace party. However, if you don’t happen to know many locals then a bar or restaurant with panoramic views will work. Restaurants and bars like Mr. Porter at the W Hotel, Moon or Madam in the A’DAM Tower, or Canvas at the Volkshotel will all make for a memorable New Year’s Eve. Remember to book up early.
New Year’s Day Swim
The New Year Swim attracts brave swimmers from all around. They are excited to begin the new year with an icy dip in the North Sea at a range of coastal locations in the Netherlands. One of the biggest celebrations takes place at Zandvoortaan Zee, just half an hour west of Amsterdam, where thousands of revelers gather to strip off and run into the water together. Even if you’re not brave enough to make a splash, you can enjoy the party atmosphere from dry land with a hot mug of pea soup.
