1 Hogmanay Festival, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
The longest New Year’s Eve night takes place in the Scottish capital, home to the renowned Hogmanay Festival each year—a three-day citywide celebration filled with street parties. This year, festivities start on Friday, December 30th, and wrap up on Sunday, January 1st, featuring concerts and events along the streets as people from around the world join the fun.
The festival takes over the historic center, which is closed to cars and accessible only with tickets. Torches and flares illuminate Edinburgh’s streets and squares as in days gone by.
Highlights include the burning of a Viking ship, choir performances at St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile, traditional Scottish music, and midnight fireworks with four spectacular displays lighting up the sky from Edinburgh Castle to Calton Hill to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, Scotland’s iconic melody penned by Robert Burns. On New Year’s Day, don’t miss the traditional plunge into the icy waters of the River Forth by the majestic Forth Bridges.
2 Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo (Japan)
In Japan, it’s tradition to ring in the new year at a temple or shrine, joining the 108 bell chimes ceremony. According to Buddhism, each chime cleanses the soul of one of the 108 earthly desires, preparing for a fresh start. Senso-ji Temple, located along the Sumida River in Tokyo’s northeast, is one of the capital’s most important Buddhist sites. On December 31st, there’s a bustling market and typical dishes to try. The celebration lasts all night while everyone awaits the bell’s chimes. Many describe the atmosphere as “truly unique.”
3 Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid (Spain)
Madrid is the heart of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Spain. The meeting point is Puerta del Sol, a lively square filled with light shows, stalls, and crowds. To party like a local, wear a colorful wig and bring 12 grapes—according to Spanish tradition, eating one grape for each clock strike at midnight brings good luck for every month of the new year. The challenge isn’t easy (12 grapes in 36 seconds is a race!), but convenient seedless grape packs make it possible.
4 New Year’s on the Orient Express (Thailand)
A timeless experience where the journey is the destination: celebrating the New Year aboard a legendary train is truly special. Two memorable trips are available: the first leaves Bangkok on December 30th, crossing Thailand and arriving in Kuala Lumpur after three days; the second, a day longer, reaches Singapore. On board you’ll enjoy exotic landscapes and absolute luxury in beautifully restored 1930s colonial-style carriages featuring local materials and furnishings. The train features 13 sleeper cars, three restaurant cars, a bar car, a lounge and a panoramic car.
5 Sydney (Australia)
Before much of the globe, the new year arrives in Australia—meaning celebrations here are unmatched. In Sydney, the midnight fireworks on December 31 are among the world’s most famous, but the festive spirit begins by early afternoon and lasts until sunrise. It’s summer in the southern hemisphere, making this an ideal chance to escape winter and discover Australia.
6 Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Join the countdown on one of the world’s most iconic beaches: Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. This is one of the warmest times of year, perfect for a beach swim. The locals—cariocas—know how to celebrate, and the 15-minute fireworks show over Copacabana Beach is unforgettable. Local tip: dress in white, as Brazilians do, to wish for peace and prosperity in the new year.
7 New York (United States)
Times Square fills with crowds braving the cold to watch the legendary Ball Drop: a giant glowing ball descends from One Times Square to mark midnight, kicking off celebrations that continue in bars and venues throughout the city that never sleeps. Visiting New York at this time is magical, thanks to the festive atmosphere still in the air.
