1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

 Come New Year’s Eve, the whole of Amsterdam transforms one huge street party. While some of the city’s superstar events like the Awakening Bash have been cancelled due to Covid-19, you’ll still have hundreds of parties and club nights, from black tie events to warehouse raves, to choose from.


2. Venice, Italy

 The entire square packs out early for the chance to count down to these legendary fireworks. St. Marco’s Square is an iconic spot to spend New Year’s Eve but you’ll get the best views from across the lagoon, in Giudecca. The Italians also have lots of New Year’s traditions to take part in, like wearing red underwear for good luck. Do as the locals do and start the year with a chilly dip in the Lido too.

 

3. Taipei, Taiwan

It isn’t hard to see why so many revellers head to the heart of Asia’s party scene for New Year. Taipei launched the first-ever fireworks show from the top of a skyscraper back in 2005 and the spectacle now incorporates eye-popping LED light shows from the bottom to the tippy top of the 90th floor too. 

 

4. Berlin, Germany

 Germany’s capital is renowned for its party scene, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. The mile between Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column transforms into a long street party, with live bands, DJs and a spectacular fireworks display. While this years’ crowds will be limited due to the pandemic, you’ll still get to catch sight of the spectacle from hundreds of other venues across the city.

 

5. San Francisco, United States

San Fran boasts some of the best NYE fireworks in the country. Thousands flock to the waterfront by the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge to see the sky light up. To mark the start of an extra special year, you can hop on a designated fireworks cruise for dinner, dancing and drinking before the display. 

 

6. Honolulu, Hawaii

New Years’ in Honolulu will fulfil all of your tropical island fantasies in one go. While a fair few bars and restaurants will remain closed for the festivities due to the pandemic, some of the island’s best-loved events are still going ahead – including the annual New Year’s ‘Party of the Year‘ at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

 

7. London, United Kingdom

 The capital’s official fireworks might be cancelled again this year, but there’s still plenty of ways to celebrate New Year with a bang. From food festivals in Trafalgar Square to comedy carnivals at Bar Rumba, most of the city’s restaurants, bars, theatres and music venues are ready to go big and bold this year.

 

8. Cape Town, South Africa

It’s hard to hate Cape Town all year round, but particularly so at New Year when the Mother City comes alive with lights, fireworks and parties. This year, due to Covid-19, the biggest celebration on the V&A Waterfront will change format once more. Instead of fireworks, dancing and dinners, there’ll be an evocative beam to symbolize creativity, hope, love, community, joy, harmony and gratitude on 31 December for one hour.

 

9. Salinas, Ecuador

New Year’s Eve is one of Ecuador‘s favourite events of the year. In Salinas, local communities celebrate in high style, setting off fireworks, wearing yellow underwear for good luck and burning effigies of the past year across the horseshoe bay. Merry revellers spill out almost every restaurant and bar in the city, while street vendors set up along the Malecon.

 

10. Niagara Falls, Canada

 Every year Queen Victoria Park throws one of the most scenic fireworks spectacles in Canada. There are two shows – one at midnight and one at 9 pm for littluns who won’t be able to keep their eyes open for the big moment. The illuminated falls light up like a rainbow while thousands of fireworks dance in the sky.

 

11. Cali, Colombia 

 The lead up to the New Year is the liveliest and loveliest time to visit Cali. The whole city lights up with fireworks, music and dancing. Make sure you get here a few days before the five day ‘Feria de Cali’. Expect bullfights, beauty pageants, fashion shows, concerts and plenty of salsa dancing festivals through the fiesta.

 

12. Auckland, New Zealand

Head to Auckland this New Year’s Eve and you’ll be one of the first people in the world to toast to the New Year! It’s located in the second time zone, which means hurtling into 2022 before anyone else. Despite ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, plenty of events are still due to take place, from all-night dancing at Waiheke Island to the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve festival, Wondergarden, at Silo Park.

 

13. Mount Takao, Japan

Japan’s showstopping cities – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka– all host fireworks and festivities galore, but for a breath of fresh air (literally) head to Mount Takao. Dozens of people make the ceremonial hike here every year on New Year’s Eve to watch the sunrise over the mountain’s peak. Local priests hold a special ceremony to ‘welcome the light’ too.

 

14. Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand’s colourful capital throws an excellent New Years’ Eve party. This year’s biggest countdown parties will take place at CentralWorld, Icon Siam and the Sky Bar State Tower. Bangkok is also home to Asia’s largest gay New Year’s Eve festival. The famous White Party draws thousands of visitors out each year.

 

15. Chicago, Illinois

The windy city throws one heck of a party. This year you can even kiss goodbye to 2021 with a toast at Time Out Markets’ ‘Future Disco’, a femme-centric and queer-powered performance at The Fly Honeys or a glitzy New Years Eve Ball at the Congress Plaza Hotel.

 

16. Hong Kong

 For the first time ever, you can toast in the New Year with the thousands at Hong Kong’s first-every Countdown Concert. The concert will feature a star-studded cast, including The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and young stars like AGA, Alfred Hui, Gin Lee and Canto-pop sensation Mirror. Elsewhere, the Victoria Harbour will look as radiant as ever, with a spectacular stage, pyro-musical lights and fireworks.

 

17. Valparaíso, Chile

 Chile’s ‘party city’ is most popular on New Year, when one million people head to the historic city – five times its population. Head to Valparaiso Harbour for the best views of its legendary fireworks spectacles. Every year the lights are switched off across the city, then fireworks are launched from 15 different locations along the coast at midnight.

 

18. Toronto, Canada

 There are plenty of places to ring in the New Year in Toronto, but this city does sky-high soirées particularly well. Head up the CN Tower to the 360 Restaurant for a four-course Canadian inspired menu with bubbles or over to the Aga Khan Museum for the ‘most magical soirée of the year’. If it’s a good belly laugh you’re after, grab a ticket to New Year’s Eve Comedy Extravanganza which promises a lineup of Canada’s best comics.

 

19. Orlando, United States

If there’s one destination that can guarantee a magical New Year’s Eve Party year on year, it’s Walt Disney World. The Magic Kingdom has the date down, with parades, mesmerizing fireworks and dance parties. For a dash of Disney magic, you can’t go wrong with the Countdown Fireworks show at EPCOT either.

 

20. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyoites have a lot of options when it comes to New Year’s Eve. Shibuya boasts the best nightlife, with dozens of bars and nightclubs to help you keep the party going beyond midnight. For a more unusual countdown, head to AQUA PARK 2022 for ‘The Island of Legend’ – a  special water performance replete with dolphin performances and Tahitian dancers.