New Year’s Eve is one of the most commonly celebrated holidays in the year, across many different cultures around the world! Whether it’s an event steeped in tradition and custom, or a newly adopted chance to celebrate new beginnings, and even if its celebrated at different times, New Year’s Eve is the perfect chance for travellers from all walks of life to deep-dive new or familiar experiences and cultures to bring in the new year.
Of course, your clients may be bogged down with so many options that they’re finding it hard to choose.
This is where we come in! We’ve put together a list of some of the best destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve for different traveller types, which is especially important to consider knowing what we know about this year’s travel trends and the traveller behaviors we’re seeing.
So regardless of whether your clients are seeking an all-out party or something a little more cultural, we’ve got the perfect inspiration for you to curate their ideal getaway to welcome in the new year.
Don’t forget you can explore over 200,000 hotels in must-visit destinations like our recommendations below in our Booking Engine! What’s more, there are thousands of experiences, tours and transfer options, empowering you with the ability to offer comprehensive, end-to-end trips for your clients.
Prague suits a multitude of audiences, from families to couples, to party-seekers and solo travellers! But one of the most noteable perks is how, compared to many European destinations the city itself is relatively inexpensive, offering a wide array of experiences to all travellers in a way that can be more accessible than other stunning European cities.
What to do: Head towards the river banks near Charles Bridge to enjoy the revelry, and soak up some culture on one of Prague’s most famous landmarks; where locals and tourists alike gather for a relaxed enjoyment of the evening. For a something a little more lively, Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square offer chances to party the night away.
What to do: For travellers on a tighter budget, there’s nothing quite like Edinburgh’s legendary Hogmanay! The city itself hosts three days of free live music and street festivals, from December 30th to January 1st, which are the perfect chance to see the city at its most lively and welcoming. There is also the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party which is usually reasonably priced and is world famous! Attracting around 30,000 revellers to the streets of Edinburgh, the city comes alive with firework displays, DJ sets, amazing street food and fairground rides.
The fireworks however, can be seen across the city, so there’s no need to book (for travellers really looking to save their money!) Many bars and pubs in the city also host Hogmanay celebrations but it’s always worth booking a spot in advance to beat the crowds.
What to do: Celebrate New Year’s Eve before much of the world! Thanks to its easterly timezone, Sydney is one of the first big parties that gets to welcome in the new year – and it’s well-loved as a result. More than a million revellers gather on boats in the harbour or around the shore of the stunning Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to watch in awe at the light displays and incredible fireworks.
What’s more, as the celebrations take place during the enticing Australian summer, the warmer temperatures are a great perk for travellers heading over from some of the Northern-hemisphere destinations which have descended into winter’s chill.
As one of the party-destinations of the world, Las Vegas had to make the list as a perfect place for a luxurious New Year’s Eve celebration! Visitors here should expect no shortage of opportunity – for the right price, of course – and there are certainly experiences to be had which are well worth any material investment. Las Vegas becomes even more lively on New Year’s Eve, with its assortment of riotous and vibrant casinos, nightclubs, hotels, all-out fireworks displays and much more.
What to do: Travellers looking for bright lights and never-ending entertainment should head to the dazzling Las Vegas Strip, for parties and celebrations worth every penny – from world-renowned cuisine in many flagship restaurants to iconic hotels, the Strip has it all! For a taste of ‘Old Vegas’, Fremont Street offers plenty of live music and no-frills fun for visitors looking for that true Vegas charm, with bars and nightclubs with experiences for all preferences.
Of course, we can’t talk about luxurious getaways without mentioning Dubai. Renowned for its oppulence amongst the staggering natural desert landscapes, Dubai is one of the top luxury destinations for New Year’s Eve!
What to do: There are many spots within the city to watch the stunning firework displays which light up Dubai as the clock strikes 12! Visitors and locals alike gather at the waterfront of the Dubai Fountain to experience the captivating light and music display held there. There are also performances held at the Burj Kalifa, which is ideal for travellers seeking experiences which will be not soon forgotten.
For the best uninterrupted view of the Downtown fireworks, head to Burj Plaza! There’s even dining opportunities for what might just be the best example of ‘dinner and a show’ in the world …
Discover more unmissable opportunities for your clients with our luxurious accommodation options, in must-visit destinations like these, in our Booking Engine.
Just like many of the most-loved European cities around this time of year, Madrid hosts wonderful firework displays, street parties and gatherings galore!
What to do: For a true party experience, the place to be is Puerta del Sol, with its lively party which is broadcast across the country; but for an authentic glimpse of Spanish new year celebrations, travellers should get involved with a local custom and pop 12 grapes, one by one, into their mouths as the Puerta del Sol bell rings in the new year! One for each month of the year, this represents good luck and well wishes for the year to come. And, if visitors fancy another go, just wait until 1am when the bell will toll again to mark midnight in the Canary Islands!
The Big Apple is hardly a recommendation which will reinvent the wheel, but it’s fun, entertaining, beautiful in winter-time and one of the best places to go for parties for a reason!
What to do: Few cities around the world can claim to offer the range of activities, parties and entertainment that New York offers for new year. Whether travellers go ‘classic’ and watch the iconic ball drop in Times Square, the fireworks display in Central Park, Prospect Park or South Street Seaport, there’s an atmospheric party and celebration for everyone in New York!
Well known for its arts and music scene, Berlin appeals to thousands of visitors each year; and while Berlin is a great spot for a party all year round, New Year’s Eve in Germany’s party city is a particularly big deal.
What to do: One of the best places to dance the new year’s night away during Silvester, as New Year’s Eve is known in Germany (and Saint Sylvester’s Day in many countries around the world) is at the free festival and fireworks which take place at the Brandenburg Gate! This is one of the largest open-air New Year’s Eve events that can be found anywhere in the world, and certainly therefore a party that’s not to be missed.
Not to mention, the nightlife continues well into the new year itself in Berlin, so there’s plenty of opportunity to extend the party for as long as revellers like! (Plus, Berlin’s incredible Christmas Markets are open until the start of January, so it makes for a perfect excuse to visit the city for a good few days).
Known as the party destination of India, Goa has a stunning array of options for visitors looking for an exciting, but accessible adventure to ring in the new year. Goa hosts many events which can offer something for everyone – from intimate couples’ parties to parties filled to bursting with like-minded crowds.
What to do: With its stunning beaches, one of the best ways to celebrate new year is at one of Goa’s many exciting beach parties, which come to life with roaring bonfires, barbeques, music, dancing and fireworks. Not to mention, cruise parties are well-loved here, so why not offer your clients something to remember and allow them to be swept up in the vibrance of new year’s on the water in Goa.
Of course, a visit to Chiang Mai is ideal at any time of year, but the traditional celebrations that take place over New Year’s Eve make this destination particularly special.
What to do: On December 31st, hundreds of Chiang Mai’s inhabitants and guests alike gather to release an equal number of paper lanterns into the sky! Symbolising luck and good fortune, this makes for a spectacular sight, and one perfect for the beginning of a new year.
Rather than the Loy Krathong or Yee Peng floating lantern festival, the paper lanterns released to celebrate New Year’s Eve are released at Tae Phae Gate, which is coincidentally one of the best places to go for this event in Chiang Mai. With live performances, music, food stalls, fireworks and a countdown, it’s an ideal – but busy – spot in this vibrant destination for a wonderous new year celebration. Be mindful, though traffic is usually blocked off from Tae Phae Gate, which makes it safe to wander around, this area is condensed and busy!
Many temples also offer midnight meditation sessions on New Year’s Eve, which makes for an unforgettable experience.
Heralded as one of the culture capitals of the world, Vienna offers a rich history of arts and culture to sink into this New Year’s Eve.
What to do: The city’s main event takes place in the Old Town and is called Silvesterpfad, or ‘New Year’s Eve Trail’; this celebration features parties, lots of street food, and music to liven up the evening. At midnight, Pummerin, the famous bell of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, can be heard across the city – a mark of significance, as this bell only tolls on special occasions. Why not do as the locals do and swap marzipan pigs to welcome the new year – they're considered lucky charms!
What to do: Head to Central World Square, the highlight of the city on New Year's Eve where people from all walks of life gather to celebrate this new beginning. Fireworks released at midnight can be see all over the city from here, and the square itself offers exciting bars and clubs which come to life after midnight. To see the city from a new angle, a lavish dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River is a perfect choice!
Tokyo
The new year celebrations often commence on 29th December and continue until the 4th January – which makes for a whole week of wonderous events, activities and memories to be made.
What to do: Visit Meiji Shrine to experience the wonder of one of Tokyo’s most famous temples during this special time of year. Alternatively, travellers can visit Zoji-ji Temple, loved and visited by locals and tourists alike thanks to the cultural significance of new year; and witness the literal ringing in of the new year as a monk rings a temple bell 108 times to denote the arrival of the new year. For a true taste of Tokyo, it’s best to enjoy a bowl of toshikoshi soba, a specially made noodle-dish just for new year, from one of the many amazing food stalls in Tokyo’s bustling districts!
Book your clients their best New Year’s Eve celebration yet with our vast global portfolio! Including 300,000 hotels and accommodation options to suit every need.
While this winter-wonderland destination doesn’t have an ‘official’ fireworks display, as has become customary for many celebrations around the world, this doesn’t stop the Icelandic capital from having one of the world’s most spectacular pyro-technic displays each New Year!
What to do: The city’s inhabitants come together to buy fireworks from the ICE-SAR, Iceland’s Search and Rescue, and sets them off at midnight. This is not only a brilliant way to fund an important institution, and start the new year with a bang, but it makes for an awe-inspiring experience for all!
While this stunning location might not be the first to come to mind when thinking about family-friendly New Year’s Eve experiences, it’s a gorgeous city which can be reouadily accessed, and offers great value for money in-destination!
What to do: From around lunchtime on December 31st, the picturesque streets of Bratislava’s mediaeval Old Town turns into a massive street party, with a wide selection of events and celebrations to suit all age ranges. From traditional activities to dancing, singing and fireworks! Watch a firework display over the Danube, or take part in the tradition of using rehtackas, wooden noisemakers, to chase away the negative energies from the past year.
While there aren’t too many traditional events or customs to be found in London as a whole, it is known for hosting one of the most spectacular fireworks displays, suitable for all ages!
What to do: Gather around the banks of the Thames and get ready to see the whole city lit up with fireworks. Eager visitors crowd all available spots along the river and even the bridges, making this an extremely busy event, but well worth the crowding. As midnight approaches, a countdown at Big Ben signals the arrival of the new year, and fireworks are released all around the London Eye – it's simple, but unmissable (and also very busy, so it’s also best to book tickets before they sell out.
Of course, what families wouldn’t want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the ‘happiest place on earth’? The Disneyland Resorts around the world – most notably Disneyland Paris, Disney World Resort in Orlando, and Disneyland Tokyo, for example – are some of the most popular family-oriented destinations for New Year’s Eve out there. So, it’s well worth booking far in advance to avoid disappointment.
What to do: With specifically catered events just for children, the Disney experience is one of the most magical to gift children around this time of year. For example, at Disney World in Orlando, all four theme parks stay open until midnight or later, with many of their famous rides remaining open, and exciting dance parties and fireworks displays to enjoy. Elsewhere, the Magic Kingdom also run special early performances for those who can’t make it until midnight, and Epcot offers great shows and dining experiences for all!
So, what about planning 2024 New Year’s Eve now?
Got ideas for your clients perfect celebration? Explore our range of hotels, tours, experiences and more on our powerful Booking Engine!
Here’s what you can expect in our guide to trending travel in 2024:
⭐ The latest health and wellness travel preferences.
⭐ Why ‘set-jetting’ and ‘retailtainment’ are some of the top upcoming experience tourism trends.
⭐ How travel technology continues to shape the industry.
⭐ What tomorrow’s luxury traveller is looking for.
⭐ How Generation Alpha is driving the shape of modern familial travel.
and more!
