Ready to say goodbye to 2021 and ring in the new year in style? These six cities go all out on Dec. 31.
These cities don’t just celebrate on December 31st – they go all out with glitzy fireworks celebrations, world-class concerts and all-night parties. And even if things look a little bit different to usual this year, don’t fret – now’s a perfect time to start planning your bucket-list for the future.
Ringing in January 1st in Rio doesn’t mean celebrating under a tumble of snow flurries. Rather, given it’s the height of summer, it’s an excuse to hit the beach. As December 31st dwindles away, millions of people congregate on Copacabana’s silky sands, dressed in white, cheers-ing the new year under a patchwork of fireworks shot up from the water. Multiple music stages, showcasing samba (naturally) and other music keep the energy going until late.
As the first major city in the world to experience the new year, all eyes are on Sydney at midnight – as well as its famous opera house, the site of some seriously impressive harbourside fireworks. But in truth, the show here starts long before the clock strikes 12.
Kicking off from 8:30pm, projections on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and lighting effects on the eastern harbour begin the party. At 9pm, a family-friendly show led by Australian First Nations peoples features dancers, music and fireworks.
Is there a more iconic New Year’s Eve location than Times Square? Crowds normally begin gathering in NYC’s neon-splashed entertainment heart from the morning of December 31st, staying put all day to catch a glimpse of the dazzling 12-foot Waterford crystal ball that drops from One Times Square.
There’s plenty to keep them entertained in the meantime, including performances from some of the world’s biggest stars. This year Jennifer Lopez is set to headline, with support from Gloria Gaynor and others.
In Edinburgh, New Year’s Eve isn’t New Year’s Eve: it’s Hogmanay. The Scottish word for the last day of the year is synonymous with good times; it’s said that locals have been celebrating it ever since the time of the Vikings. Edinburgh is the epicentre of the Scottish festivities, and you can normally expect joyful street parties that last multiple days.
Arrive to join the traditional torchlit procession that floods the Old Town on December 30th then, the next day, head to Princes Street to sing Auld Lang Syne with thousands as bells ring out, marking midnight.
While Christmas might not be much of a holiday in Japan, New Year’s is a big deal. Every January 1st Japanese flock to shrines with their families, to pay their respects and pray for a healthy and prosperous new year.
In Tokyo you can start the celebrations from midnight, entering atmospheric, 14th-century Zojoji temple as a monk tolls a bell 108 times. Looking for a more contemporary way to mark the occasion? Join the countdown event in neon-splashed Shibuya, or sing until dawn in a 24/7 karaoke booth.
Puerta del Sol, a rambling public square, acts as Spain’s answer to Times Square every New Year’s Eve. As the ball above Real Casa de Correos tower drops, locals get ready to devour a dozen grapes, one for every toll of the clock – a tradition that apparently dates to the early 20th century.
Once you’ve devoured your lucky grapes, stick around to party in the square to with a fireworks and confetti show, or head out for drinks and a late tapas crawl. Don’t miss a warming hot chocolate and freshly fried churros at San Gines, the city’s most famous chocolate shop, just around the corner from the square.
