Here's the Best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the World 2023

Whether you look forward to it or dread it, New Year’s Eve is approaching. While the lead-up and anticipation can sometimes be better than the night itself, spending New Year’s Eve at one of these 50 places will be one to remember.

We ranked this list based on several factors:

• Overall affordability, including the average prices of accommodation in December and the starting rate of taxis
• The scale of events including fireworks displays, scheduled events, street parties, etc.
• The variety of entertainment

From family-friendly festivals to toes-in-the-sand beach parties, here are the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in 2023.

Where are the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in 2023?

50. Cairo, Egypt

Best for: A family getaway for history lovers

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £107

While New Year’s Eve isn’t a huge event in Cairo, the city does offer one of the most surreal ways to ring in 2024. Watching fireworks burst over the pyramids of Giza as the clock strikes midnight is pretty special. There are plenty of hotels near the pyramids that put on rooftop parties with live DJs and dancing, or you can watch the spectacle from the street below. The fireworks display isn’t on every year, so it’s all the more special when it is.

49. Nuuk, Greenland

Best for: A unique New Year’s Eve to remember

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £132

New Year’s Eve in Greenland ticks two boxes in one – a festive start to 2024 while visiting a bucket list destination. As the northernmost capital in the world, Nuuk is a winter wonderland. The city also goes big on the fireworks, with the bursting displays lighting up the sky from the afternoon until midnight. Or, you could swap fireworks for the Northern Lights. Greenland is one of the best places in the world to catch the phenomenon – many tours even offer free re-bookings if you don’t see the phenomenon.

48. Orlando, Disney World

Best for: Winning over little hearts

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £196

Treat the little ones to New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom. There are family-friendly DJ parties, gourmet dinners with special children’s menus, live music, and performances by the kids’ (and the grown-ups’) favourite Disney characters. The ‘Fantasy in the Sky’ fireworks display is the main event – a truly magical way to ring in the new year.

47. Tromsø, Norway

Best for: A NYE away from the crowds

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £314

Try something different this New Year’s Eve. Forget the lavish parties and standing shoulder-to-shoulder in city squares – NYE in the Arctic Circle is slightly different. Join the locals in hiking to a high-up spot for a beautiful view over the city and a front-row seat to the fireworks. Mount Storsteinen is a particularly popular spot, and there’s plenty of space to spread out. If hiking doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun New Year’s Eve, you can hop in a cable car. Or, you can take an overnight excursion to catch the Northern Lights for a magical start to 2024.

While Tromsø is a winter wonderland, it’s the most expensive place on this list to catch a taxi (the starting rate is around £10!) and has the fourth most expensive average hotel price for December.

46. Montevideo, Uruguay

Best for: A fun-filled day of traditions and a quiet night

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £69

This fun-loving city is no stranger to a good time. New Year’s Eve in Montevideo starts with water (and cider) fights in the central market and along the Rambla. Locals throw buckets of water and cider from rooftops and high-up windows, and you’ll spot many stalls selling water guns. The tradition signifies a clean slate going into the new year, and locals also symbolically discard the pages of old calendars. Most places are closed, though, so Montevideons will generally ring in the new year and watch the fireworks on the beaches or on the rooftops.

45. Seoul, South Korea

Best for: Traditions, fireworks, and family time

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £106.50

Lunar New Year, or Seollal in South Korea, might be the biggest celebration of the year, but December 31^st is still a night to remember in Seoul. Thousands head to the Bosingak bell pavilion for the annual bell ringing ceremony, giving new meaning to ‘ringing in the new year’. The Mayor of Seoul and a handful of others ring the bell 33 times when the clock strikes midnight. The bell ring signifies a new dawn, bringing luck and prosperity to South Koreans. Or, you can catch dazzling fireworks displays at COEX, Lotte Tower, and the Countdown street party outside Times Square Mall.

44. Lagos, Nigeria

Best for: Big partygoers with cash to splash

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £78

If you want to go big this NYE, go to Lagos. The city’s nightlife scene is awash with flashy clubs, big spenders, and even bigger bottles. The action tends to centre around the clubs, namely Quilox and Club 57. There are countdown parties across the city, but Bar Beach’s annual Greater Lagos Fiesta is the ultimate New Year’s Eve countdown event.

43. Tulum, Mexico

Best for: Spirituality and all-night parties

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £171

Beach parties, jungle parties, cenote parties, festivals, and more – Tulum is the place to be for partygoers this New Year’s Eve. Spirituality is also big in Tulum, so if you want to set intentions for the new year surrounded by like-minded people, this is the place to do it. Visitors will find an eclectic mix of free-spirited energy, a bohemian culture, and dance-til-dawn nightlife.

December marks the start of the high season in Tulum, and prices skyrocket. Taxis are expensive, and hotels are pricier than usual. However, we found that the average price of a hotel was £171 per night on Enjoy Travel, which is more affordable than other booking platforms.

42. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Best for: A swish evening with the family

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £63

Every night, the Petronas Towers light up beautifully, but no more so than on New Year’s Eve. Watch the bursting fireworks display over the iconic Towers from one of the city’s many rooftop bars, or get a front-row seat from the Towers’ sky bridge. There’s a huge countdown party in KLCC Park, too. After all the excitement of New Year’s Eve, you can hop on a short flight to the paradisaical island of Langkawi to start your 2024 under the sun.

41. Nassau, the Bahamas

Best for: Beach parties and carnival parades

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £285

New Year’s Day in Nassau goes off like a dream. The day is spent on white sand beaches, enjoying the warm winds and rum cocktails, before the night’s festivities. Join the parties down Cable Beach and watch the fireworks from the sandy shore. Then, head to Bay Street for the main event – the Junkanoo Parade. The parade celebrates Bahamian history and culture, starting at around 1am and dancing on until around 10am.

40. New Orleans, USA

Best for: A joyful celebration

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £321

The Louisana city is no stranger to a good time, but few days compare to New Year’s Eve. This year, the celebrations start at 2.30pm with the Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade. The Mardis-Gras-style parade is a huge occasion, with floats, dancers, marching bands, and more. It starts at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street and wraps up at Canal Street, from where you can find your hotel and recharge before the evening’s celebrations. Revellers make will their way to Jackson Square a few hours before the big moment for the live music, bars, and general anticipation, until the fireworks light up the sky at midnight.

39. Lisbon, Portugal

Best for: Friends or couples seeking a relaxed but charming New Year’s Eve

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £138

New Year’s Eve in cool Lisbon isn’t full of swanky galas and skyscraper landscapes. It’s relaxed, cheerful, and festive. Do as the locals do and start the evening with dinner – in the Alfama district, your dinner will likely be accompanied by the beautifully haunting melodies of fado. For the countdown, the place to be is one of Lisbon’s many miradoures (viewpoints). Marvel at the fireworks display over the Tagus River, and end the night bar hopping in Barrio Alto.

38. The Maldives

Best for: A romantic, once-in-a-lifetime experience

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £268

Escape to the Indian Ocean for a New Year’s Eve to remember. The Maldives has earned a reputation for its luxurious bashes, with most of the private island resorts hosting extravagant galas. Expect dancers, live DJ sets, magicians, opera singers, traditional lantern ceremonies, live bands, and more. While not every resort will put on a fireworks display, we know that Lily Beach certainly does.

37. Chicago, USA

Best for: Swanky rooftop parties and grand events

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £178

The Windy City’s New Year’s Eve calendar is packed with parties, extravagant dinners, rooftop events, live music nights, lake cruises, and more. The main action centres around Navy Pier, where revellers gather on the lakefront to watch the fireworks display over Lake Michigan. If you prefer to watch the spectacle from the warm indoors, the Aon Grand Ballroom hosts an annual New Year on the Pier. And for front-row seats, head to the Pier’s Offshore Rooftop – the largest rooftop bar in the States.

36. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Best for: Square parties with friends and New Year’s Day traditions

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £178

Join the biggest countdown party in the city at Museumplein, the Museum Square. The electric show is a combination of eye-catching choreographed eco-fireworks, a huge main stage, and music. And on New Year’s Day, you can start the year with the New Year’s Swim, a Dutch tradition. Locals rush into the cold waters of the North Sea – certainly one way to clear a sore head. There’s a great atmosphere, with everyone cheering each other on and music to spur you on.

35. Rome, Italy

Best for: An elegant start to the new year with a loved one

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £141

Watch fireworks burst over the Colosseum when you spend NYE in beautiful Rome. Most Romans will enjoy a nice dinner, either at home or at a restaurant, before soaking up the festive atmosphere in Saint Peter’s Square and Piazza Venezia. For a front-row seat to the fireworks display, wrap up warm and head to Gianicolo Hill. Wherever you go, there’ll be a buzzing energy that’ll help you forget about the cold. But if you prefer to keep warm, there are several classical operas and choir performances in the city’s theatres.

34. Dubai

Best for: A lavish start to 2024

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £223.50

Dubai sparkles beautifully every night, so it comes as no surprise that they put on an impressive NYE bash. The city set the world record for the largest fireworks display, and they’re not slowing down. Whether you’re watching the eye-popping show from a rooftop bar or front-row by the Dubai Fountain, few sights are more mesmerising than thousands of colourful sparks bursting out of the Burj Khalifa.

33. Dublin, Ireland

Best for: A four-day packed schedule of excitement

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £185

Dublin is always a good time, but the city becomes even more alive with activity during the annual New Year’s Festival. The four-day bonanza is jam-packed with events and performances. Enjoy live entertainment and soak up the atmosphere in the Festival Quarter, which includes the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin Castle, and Meeting House Square.

32. Koh Phangan, Thailand

Best for: Endless entertainment and all-night partying

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £177

Koh Phangan is no stranger to a party. The island’s infamous Full Moon Party is a rite of passage for backpackers, and the raucous events only dial up to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Join the thousands of partygoers who flock to Haad Rin Beach for a night of cheap drinks, all-night dancing, fire dancers, neon face paint, and a spellbinding firework show.

31. Nashville, USA

Best for: A real Big (country) Bash

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £299

Nashville knows how to put on a good night. Their annual Big Bash is set to be bigger than ever this year, with country artists Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyr, and others encouraging you to line dance into 2024. Join in on the good-natured celebrations, which build up to the signature Music Note Drop and fireworks display at midnight. The blowout event is completely free and takes place in Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

30. Tokyo, Japan

Best for: Ringing in the new year in an iconic setting

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £116

Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, and on New Year’s Eve, it transforms into a thumping street party. There are live music performances on the stage in front of Shibuya 109, and plenty of street performers. The countdown is projected onto the iconic building while thousands of revellers join in counting down the last few seconds of the year. New Year’s Eve is more than just a party in Japan, it’s a sacred Buddhist holiday. Swap the crowds for spirituality at the city’s temples.

29. Cuzco, Peru

Best for: Experiencing unique traditions

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £58

Cuzco is a party city, so New Year’s Eve is bound to be a good time here. But that’s not the only reason that Cuzco is one of the world’s best places to celebrate the New Year. It’s the opportunity to get involved in unique, long-standing traditions. One is burning dolls wearing old clothes which symbolises letting go of the past, and another is wearing certain coloured underwear. The colour signifies what you want from the coming year – red is for love, white is for health, green is for money, and yellow is for prosperity and happiness. Most choose to wear yellow, and you’ll see market stalls full of yellow underwear in the few days before the 31^st. The heart of the celebrations is in the Plaza de Armas, and when the clock strikes 12, locals will hold hands and circle the fountain in the middle of the Plaza – another tradition to bring luck for the year ahead.

28. Istanbul, Turkey

Best for: Celebrating with friends in style

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £109

Gawp at the fireworks display on the Bosphorus Strait, lighting up Istanbul’s famous skyline of minarets and mosque domes. It’s a huge spectacle, with fireworks bursting up from boats and bridges that connect Asia and Europe. Camlica Hill is a great viewpoint for catching the display. You can also head to the banks of Galata, Taksim, Beşiktaş, and Karaköy for some of the best views – and for the best nightlife post-fireworks. Join in on the local customs, too – buy a lottery ticket, enjoy a feast of meze, and wear red for luck and prosperity.

27. Toronto, Canada

Best for: A cultural New Year’s Eve with family

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £211

Toronto goes big for New Year’s Eve. There are pockets of exciting events across the city, but the heart of the festivities is in Nathan Phillips Square. There are light shows, live performances, music acts, dance acts, and much more. The countdown ends with a bursting fireworks display over Toronto’s skyscraper landscape. Or, have a cool start to 2024 at Harbourfront Centre. The cultural hub offers a mix of art installations, live DJ sets, and a centre-stage view of the fireworks over Lake Ontario.

26. Madrid, Spain

Best for: Traditions and festive events

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £152

Madrid has earned a reputation for its New Year’s Eve celebrations. There are galas, dinners, performances, and parties across the city, but the heart of the action is in Puerta del Sol. The city goes big on traditions, with the most famous being the one of 12 grapes. Locals gather in the square to hear the chimes of the clock tower and eat a grape for every chime that rings in the first 36 seconds of the year. So, that’s 12 grapes in 36 seconds. The grapes signify a lucky, prosperous 12 months ahead. Top tip: we recommend peeling the grapes first.

25. Queenstown, New Zealand

Best for: A wholesome night with the family on the lakefront, or drinks in bars with friends

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £90

Head to New Zealand party capital Queenstown and be one of the first people in the world to ring in 2024. Join in with the wide-eyed revellers, gathering along the lakeshore to watch the sparkling fireworks show at midnight. Come in the day and watch the beautiful lake turn into a twinkling spectacle, grab food from one of the vendors, and catch the family-friendly (free!) party on the lakefront lawn. It starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 1am.

24. Singapore

Best for: A glitzy New Year’s Eve

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £190

Say goodbye to 2023 in utter luxury in shiny Singapore. The Marina Bay Countdown is a longstanding celebration: on the waterfront, there are music performers, a Market for Artists and Designers, the MBSC Charity Trail, and of course, a spectacular fireworks display. Catch the spectacle from the Esplanade Promenade, Esplanade Bridge, Merlion Park, Benjamin Shears Bridge, or the Padang at City Hall. If you’d prefer to dance into 2024, join in on the fun at the Siloso Beach Party. The event takes place over 12 hours – it’s a night of live music, foam pools, and dancing.

23. Kingston, Jamaica

Best for: Good-natured fun

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £103

Ring in 2024 with lots of rum, dancing, and lip-smackingly good food in Kingston. The annual Harbour Fest is going ahead again this year, where Jamaicans from across the island come to celebrate New Year’s Eve and watch the fireworks on the waterfront. This year, there’s a Kiddie’s Village, plenty of family-friendly entertainment on the stage, and a craft vendors’ arcade. There’ll also be DJ sets at the harbour. And best of all, it’s completely free.

22. Barcelona, Spain

Best for: Festive celebrations in city squares

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £135

New Year’s Eve is electric in Barcelona, from street parties to squares full of celebrating crowds. Plaça Espanya is one of the best places to ring in the New Year, surrounding the Magic Fountain – the colourful bursts of water from the fountain accompany the dazzling fireworks display at midnight. Plaça Catalunya is another buzzing countdown spot, full of locals and tourists drinking cava from the bottle. And as is the Spanish tradition, eating twelve grapes at midnight signifies twelve lucky months ahead.

21. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best for: A romantic, elegant start to 2024

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £114.50

Ring in 2024 in the sultry Argentinian capital for a night to remember. Tango houses across the city put on special tango performances, accompanied by a three-course dinner, wine, and champagne. But if you think a street party is the way to ring in the new year, head to Plaza Cortázar or Puerto Madero. Take a bottle with you and enjoy the live music buskers.

20. Valparaíso, Chile

Best for: Spectacular fireworks displays

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £150

Valparaíso is a colourful mosaic all year round, but particularly on New Year’s Eve. Its fireworks display has garnered the attention of over a million people – that’s five times the city’s population. The city commits to a blackout and turns off its lights so the fireworks take centre stage. They’re launched from sixteen locations across the coast, lighting up the whole sky. Plaza Sotomayor and Paseo Muelle Barón are two of the most popular places to watch the display, or you can head to the hills for less crowds and a clear view.

19. Las Vegas, USA

Best for: A long night with good friends

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £175

Some 300,000 people descend on the Las Vegas Strip for a raucous New Year’s Eve in the party capital of the States. The Strip is closed down to cars for the night, transforming the thoroughfare into a colourful, fabulous street party to remember. Catch the mindblowing firework display from the Strip, or head to the casinos’ rooftops for an even better view. Or, for something different, head to the Fremont Street Experience – a pedestrian promenade that puts on the so-called ‘NYE Time of Your Life Festival’. There are music stages, silent discos, an impressive LED screen for a ceiling, and much more.

18. Mexico City, Mexico

Best for: Street parties galore

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £87

Mexico City is always buzzing with exciting, joyful energy, so it’ll come as no surprise that the city is one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the world. Festive street parties are big here, with the main gathering area being El Zocalo. The streets from Palacio de Bellas Artes to Paseo de la Reforma Boulevard will be closed to encourage the street party atmosphere. Wherever you are in this area, you can expect live music, dancers, street performers, street food vendors, makeshift bars, and a front-row seat to the eye-popping fireworks show.

17. Auckland, New Zealand

Best for: Fireworks displays and parties

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £99

The festivities centre around Waitemata Harbour, where you can witness one of the world’s first New Year’s Eve fireworks displays – in 2024, at least. There are live performances, music acts, and more. Or, you can set up a beach picnic and watch the display from the sands of Devonport. If you prefer to dance into the new year, Britomart Block Party is the place to be. The street party festival in downtown Auckland is a hugely popular event, with two main stages (usually) in Britomart Square and Galway Street.

16. Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan

Best for: A quiet, unique start to the year

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £86

Swap fireworks for twinkling stars when you celebrate New Year’s Eve Bedouin style. Campers gather around a campfire, gaze at the starry night sky, and countdown to the New Year surrounded by nothing but the desert. It’s a night of excellent food, joyful dancing to traditional Bedouin music, and spellbinding views. If it gets chilly, campers continue the festivities inside the warm, spacious tent. It might not be the New Year’s Eve party most people are used to, but we think there are few things more special than watching the first sunrise of the year in the Wadi Rum desert. Despite being a wish list destination for many, you can experience New Year’s Eve like never before for just £86.

15. Berlin, Germany

Best for: Open-air parties

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £127

Join in on the biggest open-air party in Europe at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. The mile thoroughfare between the Gate and the Victory Column transforms into an explosive street party, with DJs, live bands, street performers, makeshift bars, street vendors, a spectacular firework display, and of course, energetic partygoers. This year, DJ Bobo, Bonnie Tyler, and Eagle Eye Cherry are on the main stage. Best of all: it’s completely free. The festivities go on until around 3am, but in Berlin, the night’s just getting started.

14. New York City, USA

Best for: An iconic way to ring in the new year

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £404

New York City is almost synonymous with New Year’s Eve. The famous Ball Drop, the throngs of crowds in Times Square, and the mix of confetti and fireworks as the clock strikes midnight are iconic images of NYE in NYC. This year’s performers are yet to be revealed, but Usher and Ellie Goulding performed last year, so we’re expecting big names. If standing shoulder-to-shoulder with (literally) one million people in Times Square isn’t your vibe, you can watch Central Park’s own firework show by the Bow Bridge. Or, better yet, watch it from above – rooftop bars The Edge Hudson Yards and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt put on fantastic New Year’s Eve bashes.

It’ll come as no surprise that the most expensive place to stay over New Year’s Eve is New York City. The starting rate of a taxi is also around £3.90. Despite its iconic status and packed schedule of events, that knocked the Big Apple down a few points.

13. London, England

Best for: Watching the fireworks with the family

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £243

Join the hundreds of thousands of people watching the famous fireworks display from the banks of the Thames. The pyrotechnic show lights up the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey. A live DJ set kicks off the riverside party before Big Ben’s chimes at midnight set off the first cohort of fireworks. For a birdseye view, head to one of the city’s rooftop bars. Or, wrap up warm, pack a thermo flask of mulled wine, and head to Primrose Hill or Parliament Hill. They have wonderful views of London’s skylines and are a free ticket to the fireworks display.

12. Cape Town, South Africa

Best for: Family-friendly carnivals

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £113.50

Kick off 2024 with your toes in the sand in sunny Cape Town. The New Year’s Eve schedule in Cape Town is jam-packed with festivals, parties, carnivals, family-friendly events, and more. There is tonnes going on in this beautiful city, but the heart of the action is at the iconic V&A Waterfront. The free carnival starts at 7pm, and dances on until the fireworks mark midnight.

11. Goa, India

Best for: A sunny start to 2024

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £47.50

With a wide range of events, affordable average hotel prices, cheap taxis, and paradise appeal, Goa is our top destination for New Year’s Eve. Swap snow for sun and ring in the new year in this laid-back coastal city. Feel the sand between your toes as you kick off 2024 dancing at one of the iconic beach parties. The Kingfisher New Year Beach Party at Anjuna Beach is particularly popular, showcasing live music, dances, and of course, a showstopping firework display.

10. Bali, Indonesia

Best for: Beach clubs and beach parties

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £81

Want to dance into the new year? Finns Beach Club is always a popular spot for its NYE bashes, and this year, first-class DJ Fatboy Slim is ringing in 2024. Beach clubs across Bali are hosting toes-in-the-sand parties, but Sandbar is another firm favourite. While many of the Balinese traditions are reserved for Nyepi, there are Balinese performances that journey through local lore and centuries-old tales across the island. Spending New Year’s Eve in Bali is a great choice for those looking for luxury on a budget – taxis cost next to nothing (starting at £0.36) and the hotels are affordable.

9. Athens, Greece

Best for: A historical New Year’s Eve with family

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £99

As firework displays go, it doesn’t get much more stunning than over the Acropolis. Perched high on a limestone hill, overlooking Athens, the Parthenon is the backdrop of live music and entertainment. Parties rage on across the city, with street festivals and rooftop bars galore, but ringing in 2024 in an ancient setting is a true pinch-me moment.

8. Paris, France

Best for: A romantic evening to remember

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £214

It’ll come as no surprise that the City of Lights throws an impressive bash for New Year’s Eve. There are few ways to ring in 2024 that are more special than beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower. The main action is along the bars and restaurants of the Champs-Elysées, where there are street performers, live DJ sets, and food stalls. The options are endless in Paris: watch the Arc de Triomphe be lit up by fireworks at the stroke of midnight, or dial up the elegance and take a river cruise down the Seine.

7. Vienna, Austria

Best for: Family-friendly fun

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £166

Every year, some 800,000 people join in on Vienna’s iconic New Year’s Eve Trail, or Silvesterpfad. Coordinated festivities and stages make up the event, centring around food, entertainment, and dancing. Follow the trail of linking open-air stages and events, culminating at Stephensplatz, where Viennese and visitors break out into a waltz as the clock strikes midnight. We think there’s only one place in the world where masses waltz into the new year under the fireworks, and this is it. The unique event starts at 2pm on the 31^st and runs til around 2am on the 1^st. There are food trucks, makeshift bars, and an electric atmosphere of anticipation.

6. Edinburgh, Scotland

Best for: A three-day-long bonanza, perfect for a family or friends’ trip

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £355

The Scottish capital will hold a huge three-day-long farewell to 2024, kicking off on 29^th December. The traditional Hogmanay celebrations are a masterclass in good-natured partying, with spectacular live music concerts, light displays, performers, and street parties – even in the Scottish weather. This year, the events start with a torchlight procession on the 29^th, followed by a huge disco party at the outdoor concert on the 30^th, then PULP and Hotchip will headline the Concert in the Gardens on the 31^st, and the events round up with fireworks and a mega silent disco on the historic cobblestone streets. Whew.

Despite the expensive hotel prices and high taxi rates, Hogmanay in Edinburgh is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is worth saving up for.

5. Taipei, Taiwan

Best for: A spectacular firework display

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £96

Watch the world’s tallest building, the Taipei 101, come alight with one of the world’s most incredible firework displays. Over 16,000 fireworks are set off across five minutes, creating a beautifully choreographed show that’s supported by beams of light and music. Join the energetic crowd in the Xinyi District, which is alive with street food vendors, makeshift bars, live music, performers, and an infectious party vibe. But if the crowds aren’t your thing, you can catch the fireworks display from Elephant Mountain – a serene spot, just outside of the city.

4. Reykjavík, Iceland

Best for: Experiencing local traditions

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £212

Reykjavík goes big on New Year’s Eve. They have a few long-standing traditions, but the bonfires are the main event. There are bonfires across the city, but the most popular spots are Ægisíða, Skerjafjörður, and Suðurhlíðar. There’s a warming sense of community spirit, and not just from the burning wood. Then, the attention turns to the fireworks. This is another community event – rather than a centralised display, families and groups set off fireworks around the city. They’re sold by the Search and Rescue Teams to fund their volunteering efforts, so the money is going to good use. The iconic Hallgrimmskirkja church is a popular vantage point, but we think the Perlan museum is the best. The glass-domed structure offers 360° views of the city, there are drinks, snacks, and an observation deck for unparalleled viewing.

3. Bangkok, Thailand

Best for: Huge countdown parties and local celebrations

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £56

New Year’s Eve is hotly anticipated, and for many, it can be a letdown. One thing that’s never disappointing is the Bangkok skyline – spending the countdown in one of the city’s rooftop bars will be a night to remember. But there are celebrations all over Thailand’s eclectic, vibrant capital. Central World Plaza is Bangkok’s biggest countdown party, with a beer garden, live DJs, and of course, a spectacular fireworks display. Alternatively, Sanam Luang has a more relaxed environment while still putting on a great night. Traditional Thai dancers and singers take to the stage, there are food stalls, locals pray at the Wat Phra Kaew temple, and many also launch lanterns for good luck.

2. Sydney, Australia

Best for: Iconic fireworks display

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £172

Be one of the first people to welcome 2024 in Sydney. The celebrations are centred around the Syndey Harbour Bridge, where revellers watch in awe as thousands of choreographed fireworks burst above the Sydney Opera House. There are other popular vantage points, like Barangaroo, Gladesville Bridge, Dawes Point, and Mrs Macquaries Point. A cruise is another popular option for those who don’t mind splashing the cash. From jazz bands to dance music, the cruises cater to all ages and music styles. The entrance fee will usually come with food, wine, and of course, a front-row seat to one of the world’s most iconic fireworks displays.

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Best for: Once-in-a-lifetime experience

Average nightly price of a hotel in December: £74

Samba into the new year in eclectic Rio de Janeiro, where the action is thumping on Copacabana Beach. The celebrations are much like the Cairocas (the residents of Rio) – energetic, full of life, joyful, and light. Many of the roads are closed, transforming the city into one big party. While there are celebrations across the city, Copacabana Beach is the most popular destination. Expect champagne showers, dancing that spills into the streets and across the sand, traditional carnival songs, an open-air concert, and a spectacular fireworks display shooting up from the Atlantic Ocean.

As well as hosting one of the world’s most famous NYE bashes, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most affordable places to see in 2024. Taxis start at around £0.99, and accommodation is the sixth cheapest on this list.