New Year's Eve can be a boom or a bust. It all depends on where you are for NYE. Personally, I feel big public celebrations with free fireworks shows make for the best locations. With that in mind, here are the 10 best New Year's Eve places for great NYE parties. The article includes a description of what makes it great, tips and weather information for each destination.
The tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylon, where the first documented celebrations occurred during the first new moon following the spring equinox. Today's modern celebrations, marked by fireworks and the iconic ball drop in Times Square, emerged in the early 20th century. Whether you're looking for a cozy local gathering or an international spectacular, the key to a memorable NYE celebration is choosing a destination that matches your party style and planning well in advance.
PubClub.com's Top 10 NYE Party Places
From the vibrant streets of New Orleans to the stunning fireworks of Sydney Harbor, these destinations offer unforgettable New Year's Eve experiences. Remember to book accommodations early, have a solid plan for transportation, and always prioritize safety while celebrating in large crowds.
1 - New Orleans
It's got the atmosphere, the proper attitude and the energy. New Orleans is a party just about anytime but New Year's is especially crazy. The Sugar Bowl teams, alumni and students are all in town which just adds to the fun. Going up and down Bourbon Street is the call but at midnight be at the ball drop in Jackson Square. The Sugar Bowl is Jan. 1, at 6:45 p.m. It features Georgia and Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal game.
Top Tip: Stick to the same color of drink. In the French Quarter, there are a rainbow selection of colored cocktails – blue, red, green, etc. – and the key to avoiding a terrible ending to the night is to pick a color and stay with it.
Weather: We've been in New Orleans on New Year's when it's been warm and when it's been freezing. Check the weather before you go and pack for accordingly.
2 - Sydney
Take your choice – party on the water, party on the bridge or party in a pub. The first major city to celebrate the coming of the New Year is also one of the best. How good is Sydney for NYE? The fireworks end at 12:15 but the celebrations last until dawn.
Top Tip: Get to the Opera Bar early, like before sunset. This awesome bar is right below the Opera House and is a prime mingling place. If that's too crowded, anyplace in the Rocks (which is behind Sydney Harbor's Circular Quay) will get you views of the fireworks and lots of people at play. You can also try your luck at actually standing on the Harbor Bridge as there is a free pedestrian walkway.
Weather: It's summer so pretty warm, but have a light jacket handy.
3 - Berlin
A massive block party at the Brandenburg Gate with bands, DJs, entertainment. A couple hundred thousand people fill up an area between Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column in one of the biggest NYE parties in Europe. Note: There is a 10 Euro charge to get into the main area and there you can't take in your own alcohol.
4 - Las Vegas
New Year's Eve and Las Vegas are as natural party partners as tequila and lime juice. People pour out from the casinos onto the streets and then after midnight head back to late night – or all-night – gambling, pubbing or clubbing. The Strip has the younger and single crowd while downtown is mostly – but certainly not exclusively – late 30s and beyond and couples. The Strip is also incredibly crowded in the main area (in front of Caesars and people gather as early as 8 p.m.). The fireworks run down the hotels from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. It will start about 10 minutes before midnight and is timed to music. There are beer and liquor stores along the Strip and of course, it's legal to drink in the street. But there is a large police presence and un-friendly behavior is quickly punished.
It's a little different downtown as the "fireworks" are electronic on an overhead canopy. his is a closed-off block party and tickets are $55 (it's no longer free for Nevada residents). It's all pretty casual, just walk in and out of the casinos and shops while drinking cocktails out of football-shaped and sized containers. There are bands on two stages. A light and sound show runs overhead on the lighted "canopy" and confetti showers down at midnight. The gates open at 5:30 (no one under 18 allowed) and some restaurants offer packages for entrance and dinner.
Undecided between The Strip and Fremont? Let this be your guide: If you are in a group of friends and don't want to stray too far from them, do downtown. Traditionally, if you are single and on the prowl, seek The Strip.
Top Tip: Spend three days. Do a casino lounge crawl on the Strip the first night, NYE the second and cap it off by spending a leisurely New Year's Day watching the bowl games at the sports books.
Weather: Warm and pool-side sunny by day, chilly when the sun goes down. Since the party is outside, definitely have a jacket. One year it even snowed. PubClub.com was there for it.
5 - New York City
If nothing else, this is a one-time "okay I did it" New Year's Eve experience. It's cold, it's crowded, you've got to get there about four hours before midnight and it's also tough to get a drink within the Times Square area. But it's also a point of pride to say you've been at the world's most famous NYE celebration. For at least one time, it's one heck of a place to end one year and begin another.
Top Tip: These days, there's a lot – lots – of security, so plan for it by what you take as well as mentally. It's all done to protect you so roll with it.
Weather: Usually in the low 30s. Dress warmly.
6 - Rio, Brazil
Rio, it's not just for Carnival. House parties give way to massive celebrations on the beaches – 5 million people in all. At Copacabana Beach alone, 2 1/2 million gather on the sand and in the roads, which are closed to traffic. Copacabana is illuminated by thousands of candles as Christian and Afro-Brazilian religions mix and make promises for the new year. Keep in mind it's summer in Brazil which means beaches, beauties and steamy nights – and nightlife.
Top Tip: Book early; most hotels are sold out by September.
Weather: Winter temperatures run from 25 C (77 F) to 42 C (108 F). There's a reason the Brazilian thong was born here.
7 - Key West, FL
Take your pick between a conch shell drop, a pirate "wench" drop from a 110-foot sailboat mast or a Red High Heel Drop featuring a drag queen. The conch shell drops at Sloppy Joe's bar, the wench at Schooner Wharf Bar and the high heel at Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House. Fireworks are at the end of White Street Pier over Key West Harbor. Admission and minimum charges apply to Sloppy Joe's and Bourbon Street Pub (upper Duval Street in the 700-800 block). Sloppy Joe's is at the end of Duval Street (201 Duval) and The Schooner Wharf is at 200 Seaport Harbor walk (202 William Street). Key West is mainly a fun couples and friends kind of place but for singles, the odds of mixing it up go up for certain events like New Year's, Spring Break (especially) and Halloween.
Top Tip: Fly into Miami, rent a convertible and leisurely cruise down the Keys, timing your arrival to sunset at Mallory Square.
Weather: Expect 60s, 70s, or even 80s. (F) low humidity – a rarity for these parts.
8 - Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
It's where PubClub.com spent a great NYE. And we'll do it again! It would be higher on the list but you have to either have a boat or rely on the ferry system to do it right. This is a two-day (and night) party on the beach. Foxy's, one of the most famous bars in all the Caribbean, hosts an annual bash at the beach that brings in a couple thousand rum-running revelers. The Beach Boys have played in the past.
With BVI drinks such as the Pain Killer or Bushwacker it's a true tropical paradise. Caribbean BBQ on the beach 30th and 31st, $50. There is also a full dinner and open bar option on the beachfront level. Another BVI's option is Myett's, a very cool tropical bar with tropical band at Cane Garden Bay. Yes, Parrotheads, the Cane Garden Bay of Jimmy Buffett's "Manana" song.
Top Tip: At Foxy's, wear a Halloween-type of mask to fit in with the crowd. It's usually okay to sleep on the beach and retreat to another island the next morning when the ferry arrives. Bonus tips: If at Foxy's, careful of food from vendors that may have been sitting out in the sun all day. Get ferry tickets early or charter a sailboat; these should be reserved several months in advance.
Weather: Warm, subtropical, and sometimes humid, with temperatures moderated by trade winds. Expect 70s or even 80s, possible humidity. In other words, wear shorts and sandals.
9 - Amsterdam
The place to hang is Nieuwmarkt (Newmarket) Square. Fireworks are everywhere; there's nothing official, mind you, just people setting off their own (often in several directions at once). The madness starts around 2300 and goes until roughly 0200.
The Rembrantsplein, Leidseplein and Dam Square also have gatherings (and lots of cafes). Regardless of location, locals and tourists hit the streets with a bottle of champagne; at midnight there's a big cheer and people share drinks from their bottles. This being Amsterdam, there is also a Hooker's Ball in the Red Light District.
Top Tip: Go out with a bottle of champagne.
Weather: Cold. Rain is a possibility. So better make it going out with two bottles of champagne!
10 - Prague
One of the world's most beautiful cities attracts people from throughout Europe because they know a great party when the see one. Prague is an awesome place to play anytime and on the Big Night it literally explodes. That's because the Czechs just love fireworks. Wander in and out of the many pubs and cafes but at midnight go to Old Town Square or Charles Bridge. Climb the hill to the Prague Castle or the "Stalin statue," where the fireworks are launched for an overview of the whole crazy scene. Prague is unbelievably inexpensive; your crowns go a long, long way. Czech it out!
Top Tip: Watch out for flying fireworks of every size and description.
Weather: The average temperature for January is -1.3C (30F), so it's cold. This makes quick jaunts into the many cafes a requirement.
Your Next Epic New Year's Eve Adventure Awaits!
Whether you're downing hurricanes on Bourbon Street or watching fireworks explode over Sydney Harbor, New Year's Eve is the one night when the whole world parties as one. Each city brings its own flavor to the celebration - from the beach vibes of Rio to the pub crawls of Prague. After exploring these destinations, I can tell you that the best NYE parties aren't always at the most obvious spots. Sometimes it's that hidden local bar in Amsterdam or that unexpected street party in New Orleans that makes for an unforgettable night.
I've celebrated New Year's Eve in more cities than I can count, from massive celebrations to intimate local spots, but even after all these years, there's something magical about discovering a new city's take on the celebration. Whether I'm sharing champagne with strangers in a Berlin beer hall or eating tacos on the beach in San Diego, each experience reminds me why I fell in love with New Year's Eve celebrations in the first place.
However, it's also important that you stay safe so let's wrap things up with a few final tips to make sure your global NYE party hopping goes as smoothly as you planned!
Pro Tips for Global NYE Party Hopping
- Always find the locals' favorite spots ahead of time - while tourists pack into the obvious locations, you'll often find the best atmosphere slightly off the beaten path at bars and clubs that locals frequent.
- Make dinner reservations at least two months in advance, but keep your late-night plans flexible. Some of the best NYE memories come from spontaneous bar hopping and following the crowd's energy.
- Connect with locals and expats through social media before you arrive. They often know about underground parties and events that aren't advertised to tourists, and many are happy to share their insights.
- Consider celebrating in multiple spots throughout the night - start with dinner at a great restaurant, move to a lively bar for pre-midnight festivities, catch the fireworks from a strategic location, then find a club or pub that's open late for the after-party.
Hopefully you can join me next year! So get ready to pick your destination, pack your party shoes, and join millions of revelers around the world in making this New Year's Eve your most epic celebration yet.
Kevin Wilkerson is an award-winning journalist who publishes PubClub.com, a lifestyle and nightlife website.