The New Year is an ideal time to reflect on the year just passed and embrace new adventures. And, luckily, there are plenty of amazing places across the world to join the party.
Whether you decide to cosy up in front of the fireworks or pair your celebrations with winter sun, there’s a New Year’s getaway for everyone. Here are nine of the top choices.
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1. Rome, Italy
Seamlessly blending history with modernity, Rome is a magical place to visit at any time of year. But, as the city comes alive with colour and festive cheer, there’s something particularly special about visiting over the New Year.
New Year’s Eve in Rome, known as La Festa di San Silvestro, is celebrated with festive traditions and culinary delights that reflect the city’s unique culture.
The night is marked by magical fireworks displays, with people gathering in various areas across the city centre for music, dancing, and other festivities. The official midnight display takes place over the Circus Maximus; lighting up the nearby Colosseum in sprays of colour. For a good viewing spot, head to the terrace of the Gianicolo, climb Pincian Hill, or stay near the Colosseum or Aventine Hill.
During your stay, don’t forget to try Cotechino e Lenticchie. This hearty dish, which combines cotechino (a type of pork sausage) with lentils is traditionally served on New Year’s Eve, as it’s believed to bring prosperity and abundance over the coming year.
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Every year, before midnight strikes, thousands of people gather in Lisbon’ beautiful square, Praca do Comercio, to watch a dazzling firework display. Local bands begin playing at 10pm in anticipation of the countdown. As the beating heart of the city for centuries, there’s no better place than this elegant square to immerse yourself in the local spirit.
Alternatively, you might like to glide out across the River Tagus on an evening cruise for a less crowded view of the fireworks. As you sail up the wide river mouth, you’ll pass Lisbon’s iconic landmarks, including Belem Tower and the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge.
For a more intimate celebration, head to Lisbon’s Alfama district, home to various fado bars. Fado is Portugal’s signature sound and while Lisboans love catching a local performance at any time of year, special shows take place on New Year’s Eve. Savour the moment with a plate of bacalhau, the local salted cod, and some Vinho Verde.
Wherever you happen to spend New Year’s in Lisbon, be prepared to find bowls of raisins everywhere you turn! In Portugal, eating 12 raisins (representing the 12 months to come) at each stroke of the midnight clock is believed to bring prosperity and luck over the coming year.
For more inspiration, check out our article: 10 of the best things to do in Lisbon.
3. New York City, USA
New York has long been one of the most iconic places to celebrate New Year’s Eve – drawing around one million visitors every year.
The world-famous ball drop over Times Square has been a tradition since 1907. Beginning at 6pm with the lighting and raising of the ball, there’s a full programme of fireworks and live entertainment. The event is free and served on a first-come, first-served basis, and people start filling the Crossroads of the World in the afternoon hoping to bag a spot with a good view.
So, if you’d prefer to skip hours of waiting in the cold NYC air, there are plenty of nearby destinations offering spectacular views – including the rooftop at the Knickerbocker Hotel and the terraces at the Times Square EDITION.
Fireworks are launched in Central Park, New York Bay, and near the Statue of Liberty. Taking a river cruise in the Bay of New York is a wonderful way to watch the fireworks rain down over the Statue of Liberty.
4. Stockholm, Sweden
The charming Baltic Sea archipelago of Stockholm consists of 14 islands and more than 50 bridges. This city is a joy to explore and, if you visit over the New Year, there are plenty of events and public celebrations to join in the fun.
Stockholm has several great vantage points for those wishing to watch the fireworks – the fact that the displays also reflect in all the water surrounding the city makes it even more magical.
Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, is the most famous place to celebrate New Year in Stockholm – and offers fantastic views across the city to watch the fireworks. The New Year’s celebration here dates back to the 1890s and you can expect a full programme of live entertainment.
Check out this guide to vantage points for watching New Year’s Eve fireworks from Visit Stockholm for more ideas. Alternatively, you could attend the Royal Swedish Opera House’s New Year’s Eve concert, or take a tranquil river cruise.
If you’re in the mood for sightseeing during your stay, you’ll be pleased to know that many of Stockholm’s most popular museums and tourist attractions remain open on New Year’s Day and Eve.
5. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is a beautiful, cultural city that’s full of character. And, with something always going on, it’s a city made for a New Year’s break.
Dublin goes all out for New Year’s, and its annual festival is Ireland’s largest New Year celebration. Stretching across three days in several venues, including Dublin Castle and the National Museum of Ireland, the festival brings light and life to the streets and skies.
In the heart of the city, a spectacular musical and visual display will count down the final moments of 2024 – featuring music designed to capture Ireland’s unique spirit. This year’s artists include Aly Coulibaly, Cork singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot, and viral sensations Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew. Check out the full event programme on the New Year’s Festival Dublin website.
Beyond the festival, you won’t be short of things to see and do in Dublin. Easily explorable on foot, take in the best of the Irish capital with a trip to the famous Guinness Storehouse, the Irish Emigration Museum, or the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin. Dublin’s excellent collection of restaurants and famous pubs will keep you well-fuelled for the festivities.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is known for its vibrant nightlife, rich history, and stunning canal.
Throughout December and January, the city comes alive during the Amsterdam Light Festival as artists worldwide create artwork designed to light up the darkest months of the year. This year’s installation is particularly special, as it coincides with Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary. For a whole year, residents, districts, and institutions across the city will commemorate and celebrate Amsterdam’s unique spirit.
Amsterdam’s Winter Paradise, which runs until 4th January 2025, is also the perfect place to embrace winter – you’ll find ice skating, carnival rides, a cosy apres-ski village, Christmas stalls, and live entertainment.
On New Year’s Eve itself, ring in 2025 at the fireworks show at Museumplein; or, hop on a magical canal cruise that’ll take you past shimmering lights and offer a perfect viewing spot for the fireworks!
7. Phuket, Thailand
If you’d like to exchange chilly European nights for winter sun over the New Year, why not consider travelling a bit further afield? December and January are among the best times to visit Thailand – and Phuket is one of its most beautiful islands.
Instead of frosty cold weather, this picture-perfect paradise offers white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and tropical palms. Celebrating the festive season under the sun is an unforgettable experience, and, because December offers just the right level of humidity, it’s an ideal time to beach hop. Plus, the seas are calm enough to enjoy all sorts of water sports.
You can explore the neighbouring islands of Monkey Beach, Maya Beach, and the Phi Phi Islands via yacht or longtail boat, taking in the breathtaking limestone karst formations and the tropical jungles that border the Andaman Sea. Or, delve beyond Phuket’s beauty and discover the history and tradition of this culture-rich island.
When it comes to New Year’s celebrations, you won’t be short of options in Phuket. Kamala Beach is particularly popular for its tranquil ambience – perfect for a more laid-back New Year’s Eve celebration. Or, for something more lively, head to Patong Beach, for amazing fireworks and live music.
8. Edinburgh, Scotland
If you’re yet to experience New Year in Scotland, it’s definitely something to add to your bucket list. Christmas was virtually banned in Scotland for around 400 years and so, to this day, New Year is generally recognised as the most important holiday in Scotland – and you can expect big things.
Right up until the 1950s, many Scots worked over Christmas and celebrated the holidays at New Year instead, in what came to be known as Hogmanay. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival dates back to 1993 and has since evolved to become one of the greatest outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world.
The festivities typically last three to four days and include a torchlight procession, fireworks over Edinburgh Castle, live concerts, and a huge outdoor street party. It’s also traditional for thousands of revellers to join hands and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ immediately after midnight on New Year’s Eve, before continuing the party into the early hours!
Outside of the celebrations, Edinburgh is a charming city to explore – particularly popular for short winter breaks. The novelist Alexander McCall Smith once described it as “a city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again”. Plus, Edinburgh’s Christmas markets – considered some of the best in Europe – remain open until early January.
9. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, known locally as Reveillon, are famous for their mega fireworks displays, lively street parties, music performances, and general buzzy atmosphere. The famous Copacabana Beach becomes the stage of one of the world’s biggest – and wildest – New Year’s Eve parties. Around two million Brazilians and tourists flock here every year to join in the fun.
Rio is also a fantastic option for those seeking warmer weather over the New Year period, as temperatures sit comfortably in the late 20s throughout December and January. In amongst the celebrations, you can unwind on Rio’s sun-kissed beaches. Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach beckon with crystal clear waters and golden sands.
Don’t forget to take a gastronomic journey through Rio’s best restaurants, too. Sample delicious chocolate truffles called brigadeiros, and feijoada – a traditional Afro-Brazilian dish made of black bean stew and pork.
Final thoughts…
The New Year is a time to celebrate and look ahead at the adventures to come. Luckily, there are countless places to join in the fun – with each destination offering a unique spin on festivities.
For further reading, head over to the travel section of our website. Here, you’ll find everything from short breaks in the UK to adventure holidays.
If you’re ready to book your next getaway, you can browse thousands of travel deals on our website.
What are your new year’s plans? Have any of the destinations on our list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.