Perhaps the biggest party of the year, New Year’s Eve is basically a great excuse to have a few drinks with friends and watch some explosive sparkly things go bang in the sky.
The alcoholic and pyrotechnic recipe is much the same worldwide, and anyone who’s stayed in on a New Year’s Eve of past and watched the celebrations on the TV will tell you that the fireworks display in particular proves an informal competition between the world’s largest cities, with each aiming to outdo the others in terms of scale and spectacle.
While there’s little to behold like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, finding a good spot from where to view the action can be a little problematic due to the hundreds of thousands who flock to the streets. Here, then, is a roundup of our Top 10 Spots for the Top 10 New Year’s Eve Fireworks Displays…
1) London
London’s NYE fireworks display takes place on the River Thames, roughly between Westminster and Tower Bridge. It’s one of the world’s most magnificent, and crowded displays, with people arriving as early as 4pm to secure their place on and around the Southbank.
Popular Spots: The bridges across the Thames are considered the best viewing spots, as is the Millennium Eye (a signature of London’s Southbank). These get immensely crowded, so prepare to get there early, and don’t expect to go to the toilet once you’ve secured your spot!
Recommended Spot: Ignore the lure of the Southbank and head north to Hampstead Heath, where you’ll get a wonderful (and completely free) view out over the city and its splendiferous fireworks.
2) Berlin
Popular Spot: New Year’s Eve (or Silvester, as it’s known) in Berlin focuses on the famous Straße des 17. Juni. Here the iconic Brandenburg Gate is transformed into a center stage, hosting a variety of celebrities and bands as the evening rocks along, before the clock ticks over and the fireworks go up.
Recommended Spot: Instead of jostling for position next to the gate, spread out along the Straße, which runs through much of the Tiergarten to the Berliner Siegessaule. The Kurfürstendamm Ku’damm, a huge shopping street a little to the south, also hosts a great NYE party open to one and all.
3) Taipei
Rather than one centralized display, Taipei’s government hosts a barrage of displays in venues across the city – as the New Year commences, the city becomes one fantastical collage of bright lights and loud booms.
Recommended Spots: Finding a spot in Taipei is all about working out sightlines, given the city’s high-rise nature. Those lucky enough to have friends in high places (literally) should make sure to book a viewing spot in their apartment. For those less fortunate, the Taipei government suggests a few goods spots, such as the Rainbow Riverside Park.
4) New York
Popular Spot: Times Square, Manhattan. There’s simply nowhere that can rival it: close on 1 million people; the backdrop of New York’s famous central square, and an iconic New Year’s Eve Ball (covered in Waterford Crystals) that summons January 1st as it drops from above.
Recommended Spot: Times Square. Like we said, there’s simply nowhere that can rival it. This is America, and Americana, at its best, so bite the bullet and head where everyone else is heading. But go prepared! Arrive early afternoon, wear lots of layers, don’t take any bags or alcohol (neither is allowed) and go to the toilet before claiming your spot. Then sit back, banter with those around you, and await the spectacle of NYE New York Style.
5) Las Vegas
Popular Spot: The Main Strip. Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas does NYE on a big and glitzy scale. The Main Strip is certainly something to behold, but it won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Recommended Spot: The Monorail. Las Vegas’ Monorail proves a unique way to see in the New Year. It only costs $5, and it feels a lot more salubrious than jostling with the masses down on the strip.
Recommended Spot: Copacabana Beach. The Beach that parties all year round is, predictably, the place to be as the New Year commences in Rio. It’s always busy, but then it’s always awesome, and the view of the fireworks is equally spectacular.
7) Sydney
Without wanting to make too much of a competition of it, Sydney’s fireworks display is probably the best in the world. Not one but two displays go up here (there’s one at 9pm for those who can’t stay up until midnight), illuminating the city in a magnificent, and almost otherworldly manner.
Recommended Spots: There are four official free areas provided by the local council, all within close proximity of the fireworks (which are lit from and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge). Bradley’s Head and North Head in the National Park provide space for 7,000 people, while two more spots in the Botanic Gardens cater for about the same amount again.
Given the relatively limited space, it’s advisable to pitch up early (picnics can be taken to the National Park, but not the Botanic Gardens). If you don’t fancy waiting in one place, simply while away a few hours in the Rocks Area (directly south of the Bridge), which is always teeming with people and atmosphere come the 31st.
8 ) Paris
Popular Spot: The Champs Elysees. Paris’ signature strip is the headlining site for NYE festivities in the city. Seemingly half the city crams themselves into its boundaries, making the most of the cool Parisian air, and the wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower that’s available. Come 12 o’clock, the Tower becomes the focus of an ever-memorable lightshow.
Recommended Spot: The Sacre Coeur Cathedral Plaza. The area of Montmartre is less crowded than the Champs Elysees, but just as resplendent. What’s more, since it’s Cathedral rises above the city, those who spend NYE here are guaranteed an awesome view of the fireworks display.
9) Prague
The fireworks display in Prague occurs during the evening of the 1st. And what a display it is too! Lasting 15 minutes, the extravagant exhibition costs around the $15,000 mark.
Recommended Spot: If you can get a place on the Cechuv Bridge, do so. If not, anywhere along the riverside will do.
10) Hong Kong
In case you miss this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, why not head to Hong Kong at the start of February and catch the beginning of the Chinese New Lunar Year? The celebrations are just as extraordinary, and the fireworks just as loud and twinkly!
Recommended Spot: Anywhere on or around Victoria Harbour. As with New York, it’ll be busy, but it’s the only place to be!
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