New Year s Eve is the biggest party of the year and is celebrated around the world. Everyone parties hard to the end of the year, counts down the last minute of the old year and then enjoys an elaborate fireworks display at the start of the New Year. So where are the best places to spend New Year’s Eve?
Why not start in Sydney, Australia where the New Year Begins?
The New Year begins in Sydney and then moves from time zone to time zone around the world. Millions of people flock to Sydney Harbor to ring in the New Year. They have fantastic fireworks (isn’t that what the New Year celebrations are all about?) and the party lasts until dawn. Combine this with the warm weather, as it is summer in Australia, and the Aussie sense of fun and you have one great party.
Tokyo, Japan
In Japan the last month of the year known as “Shiwasu” and is the busiest month of the year. Daytime is spent “cleaning” while evenings are spent visiting with friends and family. Pine and Bamboo decorations are placed outside on doors to bring good luck. The Kagami mochi, the traditional New Year’s rice cake is eaten and friends and coworkers exchange cards and gifts. On New Year’s eve the bounenkai (the forget the year party) is in full swing. The Japanese enjoy a meal of long thin noodles called soba to ensure a long live. At the stroke of midnight all the temple bells are rung 108 times. Wake up on New Years Day to receive your nengajo (New Year postcards) and continue celebrating for a few more days as the party goes on until January 4th.
Times Square, New York City
Who hasn’t watched the New Year’s celebrations happening in Times Square on television and cheered along with the countdown. So why not spend New Year’s Eve at America’s best party. Buy a club pass and party hop from club to club or just join the crowd on Times Square and party in the streets. Watch the big ball drop and be part of the count down to the New Year. Just dress warmly as those NYC nights can get chilly in January.
Copacabana Beach, Brazil
If Carnival is anything to go by, the Brazilians know how to throw a party. Since it is summer in Brazil the New Years celebrations are held at the beach with the Copacabana beach being a favorite. Over 2 ½ million people spend New Years eve at this beach where they light thousands of candles in a strange religious mix of Afro- Brazilian and Christian cultures. Wear white for good luck, bring your bathing suit (temperatures can get up into the high 30’s and 40’s C thats 80 º to over 100 º F) and party until the sun comes up.
Berlin or Prague?
The decision about the best place to spend New Years Eve in Europe is split between Berlin and Prague. Both cities throw a great New Year’s Eve party but Prague has the best fireworks. In Berlin the 2 km area between Brandenburg Gate and Siegessaule’s column is where all the celebrations take place and in Prague it is in the pubs and cafes of the Old Town Square. Berlin claims to host the biggest party with over one millions party goers while Prague offers all inclusive river boat booze cruises on the Charles River and exceptional fireworks.
For a family celebration try one of the Disney venues for sensational fireworks. Or take a New Year’s cruise and ring in the New Year at sea. How about hiking up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania Africa and welcoming the New Year there? Where ever you decide to spend New Year’s Eve have a good time and be safe. Happy New Years.
