Oh my, it’s almost time for 2025! And with the New Year approaching, the question always comes up: how and where are you going to celebrate it? Looking for something different than staying home or a party in Amsterdam? Celebrate it abroad! There are plenty of options around the world where it’s celebrated in a big way. Think of fireworks at the London Eye or under the skyline of Hong Kong. Check out this list of the best cities worldwide to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
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11 X of the Best Cities for New Year’s Eve
New York
It’s mega crowded and cold, but experiencing the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is amazing. On Times Square, a crystal ball weighing nearly, 5500 kilograms is dropped. For a less chaotic experience, reserve a spot at one of the bars or restaurants with a view of Times Square. For a beautiful firework show, consider taking a night boat tour in New York Harbor, which offers the best view of the fireworks on Liberty Island.
Sidney
Sydney is the first major city in the world to ring in the new year at midnight. They go all out with fireworks at 9:00 PM and midnight. The fireworks can be seen at the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. There’s also an Aboriginal smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits for a fresh start to the year.
Hong Kong
One of the world’s most spectacular skylines lights up with fireworks every year. The show gets more impressive each year, culminating in a dazzling finale with a pyrotechnic dragon dancing in the sky. The best place to be in the evening is Victoria Harbour, where many locals gather on boats and rooftops for the best view of the show.
Las Vegas
For the best party atmosphere, Las Vegas is the place to be. The Strip is car-free on New Year’s Eve and turns into a giant street party with live bands, fireworks, and laser shows. At midnight, fireworks are launched from seven rooftops. No matter where you are, you can’t miss the show. The city also hosts numerous concerts, shows, and parties in clubs, casinos, and hotels.
Rio de Janeiro
For a festive New Year’s celebration, head to Rio de Janeiro. A huge party takes place on Copacabana Beach. The 2.5-kilometer stretch of beach fills with two million people dressed in white. It’s one of the biggest and possibly the wildest New Year’s Eve parties in the world. Flowers are thrown into the sea as a gift to Yemanjá, the goddess of the seas. There are stages with live music, dance shows, and a colourful fireworks display at midnight.
Walt Disney World
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Disneyland is a dream come true for young and old. The park stays open until 1:00 AM and is filled with fun activities. Throughout the day, there are performances by Cirque du Soleil, dance shows, live entertainers, and confetti explosions. Just before midnight, a grand illumination and laser show lasts about 15 minutes. Another plus is that it’s less crowded at this time of year than during peak months.
More cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve around the world
Londen
London celebrates New Year’s Eve like no other. Tens of thousands of people gather around the River Thames. At midnight, a massive fireworks display begins from the London Eye over the Thames. Later in the evening, many after-parties take place. On New Year’s Day, central London’s streets fill with a parade of colourful floats, marching bands, dancers, and a procession with the queen’s horses.
Parijs
One of the most beautiful, but also one of the busiest cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve. For a spectacular start to the new year, visit the Eiffel Tower, adorned with 20,000 lights and stones. The Champs-Elysées is also one big party, with historic buildings illuminated by leading artists. The festivities kick off at 9:00 PM! At the Sacré-Cœur, you have a stunning view over Paris, and it’s quieter than the Champs-Elysées. Note: there are no fireworks display in Paris on New Year’s Eve.
Berlijn
Berlin is a party city year-round, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. A big celebration takes place around the Brandenburg Gate, filled with bars, food stalls, laser shows, video screens, party tents, music stages, and more. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display occurs, after which the crowd moves to the city’s clubs and parties until the early hours.
Edinburgh
The annual festivities in Edinburgh actually last three days. On December 30, it starts with a torchlight procession through the city, ending with a fireworks display. On New Year’s Eve, the focus is on street parties and open-air concerts. At midnight, 4.5 tons of fireworks are launched above Edinburgh Castle. On New Year’s Day, the brave among us jump into the icy waters of the River Forth ;-).
Tulum
In Tulum, the holidays are taken very seriously. They celebrate with a festival that lasts four weeks. Many famous artists head to Mexico to make it a huge party. For New Year’s Eve, there are various great places to celebrate and dance your way into 2025.
Kuala Lumpur
Be there early, because the countdown to the new year starts at 11:00 PM. Find a spot among the thousands of locals who gather at the Petronas Twin Towers to admire the fireworks display.
Las Vegas
Amsterdam Bucketlist & Things to Do
(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Albert Cuyp Market Food Tour
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
INSTAGRAM MUSEUMS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Youseum
⋙ The Upside Down
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels in Amsterdam:
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pillows Maurits at the Park: this newly opened hotel is all about luxury.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: recently renovated, this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ W Amsterdam: with lively restaurants and a posh rooftop bar with swimming pool.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Jakarta: the most sustainable hotel ánd great value for money with a spa.
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam from the North side.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale and around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city by MGallery.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel with restaurant in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ Ruby Emma: eco design hotel with a great skybar near Amstel station.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Social Hub budget proof in trendy East district close tho the subway.
☾ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with several locations in Amsterdam.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
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