12 City Breaks for New Year's Eve in the World That Promise an Epic Countdown

Are you bored of doing the same things every New Year? Do you want to see the New Year in style? You’ve come to the right place if you’ve answered yes to either of those questions. New Year celebrations allow people to celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new one.

Bright lights, wild parties, live music, and immense fireworks displays are expected worldwide. New Year celebrations enjoyed abroad also allow us to meet new people and experience different cultures. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 12 city breaks for New Year’s Eve. These cities offer live entertainment, epic fireworks displays, and more.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

While we’re in the United Kingdom, let’s talk about Edinburgh, too. Edinburgh is a magical destination during the holiday season, particularly around New Year. Truly one of Europe’s best New Year destinations, the city comes to life with open-air concerts, giant parties, enormous firework displays, and multi-day events. Edinburgh’s medieval architecture also makes the perfect setting for fireworks.

The skies above the city’s iconic castle look fascinating, lit with vibrant colors. In Scotland, New Year is referred to as Hogmanay. This traditional celebration can last from December 31st until January 3rd, so you can expect the fun to continue well into the new year. Enjoy the celebrity treatment at the 5-star Kimpton Charlotte Square, an IHG Hotel with a grand bedroom, swimming pool, spa, and three restaurants.

Reykjavik, Iceland

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If you want to spend New Year’s Eve doing something slightly different, head to Iceland. Besides being a wonderful place to explore, Iceland hosts entertaining New Year’s Eve events, including up to 90 bonfires. Most of the action in New Year is found in Reykjavik, the island capital. In Reykjavik, you’ll find 15 or so bonfires, Icelandic entertainment, firework displays, and epic partiers.

Outside Hallgrimskirkja church is one of the city’s best places to watch the night unfold. Here, you can glimpse outstanding views of the fireworks. If you’re super lucky, you might even spot the Northern Lights. You might also be pleased to hear that bars stay open until 5 am. Black Pearl Apartment Hotel is one of Reykjavik’s best 5-star hotels.

New York City, United States

Considering how grand, magnificent, luxurious, and exciting the Big Apple is, you’re probably not surprised to find it on our list of the best New Year’s Eve city breaks. New Year’s Eve in New York is celebrated with enormous parties, live music, wild events, and colorful fireworks displays.

One of the best things about New Year’s Eve in the Big Apple is the events’ diversity. You’ll find something happening in every corner of the city. However, the best parties and celebrations are found in Times Square, Central Park, and Hudson Yards. Refinery Hotel, a gorgeous 5-star hotel in Manhattan, offers convenient access to most of the action in New York.

Bali, Indonesia

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Bali, a small island nation belonging to Indonesia, makes our list for multiple reasons. Firstly, it’s a much more affordable place to stay in the New Year. For example, the luxurious 5-star Canggu Cabana Resort By Ini Vie Hospitality costs less than $300 nightly. Secondly, Bali knows how to throw a party.

On New Year’s Eve, Bali’s night and beach clubs come to life with vibrant parties and celebrations featuring live music, alcohol, and fireworks. On top of that, many public beaches on the island host firework displays. Not to mention, the island’s stunning natural scenery is the perfect setting for celebrating the New Year. You can also experience how the traditional Balinese people celebrate New Year.

Marbella, Spain

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If you want to celebrate the New Year in style, look no further than Marbella, a luxury vacation resort along Spain’s southern coast. A playground for the rich and famous, this city is home to picturesque beaches, Michelin-starred restaurants, haute-couture boutiques, and breathtaking 5-star hotels. Oh, and it’s still a mild 63°F (17°C) in December.

In Marbella, you can enjoy a more relaxed, luxurious, and sunny New Year’s Eve oozing class and elegance. When you’re not tucking into a 5-star dinner or sipping cocktails at the beachfront, celebrate the New Year in one of the many clubs or experience one of the city’s extravagant galas. If you stay at Gran Hotel Guadalpín Banus, you can enjoy gorgeous sea views, private pools, jacuzzis, and world-class cuisine.

Prague, Czech Republic

The next city on our list is Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. If you love epic parties, cheap alcohol, fireworks, and live music, Prague is an excellent place to spend New Year’s Eve. There are several ways to spend New Year’s Eve in the city. For example, you can party in a nightclub, watch fireworks in the city center, or cruise along the Vltava River.

Across the city, you’ll find many things happening, including live concerts, parties, private events, and dancing. Alternatively, you can book a romantic dinner in one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants. We’d love to watch the fireworks above Prague Castle. For accommodation, the Mozart Prague offers luxury and a grand experience in the heart of the city.

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Cologne, Germany

Berlin is the most obvious choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany, but Cologne is an under-the-radar destination with much to offer. The cultural hub of northwest Germany, this vibrant city offers something for every kind of traveler. Partygoers can drink the night away in one of the many German pubs and beer halls while families can watch the firework displays at Cologne Cathedral.

Cologne has hundreds of bars, nightclubs, and pubs, so you won’t be short of options. However, the best parties can be found on Zulpicher Strasse and in the beautiful Belgian Quarter. For the best views of the fireworks over the Rhine, head to the Rheinauhafen Waterfront or Frankenwerft. One of the best 5-star hotels in Cologne is the Cologne Marriott Hotel.

Lausanne, Switzerland

One of the world’s most underrated New Year’s Eve city breaks is Lausanne, a picturesque city on the shore of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). This beautiful city offers travelers extraordinary scenery, a lively atmosphere, and many things to see and do. Above all else, the city’s lakeside views and snow-capped mountain backdrop serve as the perfect New Year’s Eve setting.

However, the main draw to the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations is Lausanne Lumieres, the annual festival of lights. New Year’s Eve marks the last day of this festival, so you can expect bright lights, fascinating projections, and breathtaking sculptures. Needless to say, you’ll also find many parties, concerts, and fireworks displays. At the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa, you can enjoy world-class cuisine, stunning suites, a spa, and a fitness center.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica, is one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve if you want to see out the year in paradise. You’ll spend the day sipping cocktails, relaxing by the pool, and swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters. Then, at night, you’ll party the night away in typical Jamaican fashion.

Across the city, you’ll find exhilarating New Year’s Eve parties, live music, fine-dining restaurants, and epic firework displays. What more could we ask for? Oh, wait, what about a 5-star hotel to spend the night? Well, Takuma Boutique Hotel Hotel Rooms & Suites offers charming rooms, sports facilities, a swimming pool, and an international kitchen. What’s not to like?

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark’s stylish and historic capital city is the next New Year’s Eve destination on our list. Copenhagen is a magnificent city that brilliantly combines medieval charm with modern sophistication and elegance. One minute, you’ll explore royal palaces and vibrant historic architecture. Next, you’ll shop in glamorous boutique shops. As expected, Copenhagen also has much to offer regarding New Year’s Eve celebrations.

For starters, enormous firework displays occur at Tivoli Gardens, Dronning Louises Bridge, and City Hall Square. You’ll also find many parties and bars where you can grab an alcoholic beverage. One of the best 5-star hotels to stay in Copenhagen in the New Year is 71 Nyhavn Hotel. This stunning hotel sits on the waterfront and features gorgeous suites and a restaurant.

London, United Kingdom

I might be biased because I’m from the United Kingdom, but I firmly believe the New Year’s Eve celebrations in London, the English capital, are up there with the best in the world. Admittedly, you’ll spend a lot of money to experience it, but the wild celebrations aren’t something you’ll quickly forget.

Thousands of people line the River Thames near the London Eye to listen to world-famous musicians, dance, watch the iconic Big Ben strike midnight, and admire the mesmerizing firework display. There’s plenty to do during the day, including London Dungeons, the Houses of Parliament, Harrods, and Borough Market. Regarding accommodation, stay in style in the 5-star Virgin Hotels London – Shoreditch.

San Francisco, United States

The final city on our list is San Francisco. The Golden City is best known for its world-famous architecture, rich history, and vibrant atmosphere. However, the city also knows how to throw a party, evident on New Year’s Eve. During New Year, you can experience lively downtown events, picturesque river cruises, epic parties, and colorful firework displays.

If you head to the Embarcadero, you’ll be treated to unparalleled views of the city’s best firework displays. In the hour leading up to the fireworks, make sure you find a quaint speakeasy or bar to enjoy a drink and live music. Check out the 5-star Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero for accommodation.