The best New Year’s Eve cities in the world to welcome in 2020
If you’re still stressing over where to spend New Year’s Eve this year then stress no more. Whether you’re picturing yourself in artsy Berlin and its party strip or witnessing Bangkok’s Lunar celebrations, we’ve got a great line-up of destinations, all with bargain hostels so you can spend your money on having a night to remember… or not as the case may be! Here are the best New Year’s Eve cities in the world…
1. London
The atmosphere in London on New Year’s Eve is electric, as visitors and locals gather on the banks of the River Thames, armed with ‘tinnies’ and bottles of bubbly in anticipation of the fireworks display and Big Ben chiming in the New Year. It’s the one time of year in London when everyone is your friend (kidding, we’re a friendly bunch really). If you’re not ready to call it a night when the clock strikes midnight, London is home to some of the best themed New Year’s Eve parties. So take advantage of the free, 24 hour tube and see all that London has to offer on this momentous night.
The fireworks are London’s biggest New Year’s Eve attraction, but if you don’t fancy the crowds then there’s a party everywhere you look. Fans of drag should head to Kentish Town Forum for a night of naughtiness hosted by scene icon Bianca Del Rio, or for London’s best value night out, a ticket to any of the city’s 15 Simmons Bars costs £50 and includes as much as you can drink! If your budget calls for a total freebie, BYOB-ing watch the fireworks at the top of Primrose Hill is a chilled way to see in the New Year.
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2. Berlin
If you’re looking for a festival-like atmosphere for your New Year’s Eve, then look no further than Berlin’s open-air celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate. There’s a two kilometre strip filled with stages, party tents, light & laser shows as well as food & drink stands. The spectacular fireworks display starts at midnight on the dot, lighting up the sky above the gates.
It should come as no surprise that the world’s most insane party destination is also one of the best New Year’s Eve cities, and if clubbing is more your thing, Berlin has plenty of icons (that are known to stay open for days on end!) Berghain is the most famous and most exclusive, so prepare for long queues, potential disappointment, but maybe the best night of your life. For a more reliable option M.S Hoppetosse is a boat that houses DJs and offers weird and wonderful vibes.
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3. Amsterdam
Amsterdam attracts people from all over the globe, so expect to meet new and exciting people. The ‘dam’ is a compact city made up of easy to navigate streets, so have a wander and explore the impromptu street parties. The city’s official celebrations take place at the Oosterdok with the Scheepvaart Museum, the Amsterdam and the VOC ship forming the backdrop for the magnificent fireworks display. If you feel like being bougie, a midnight river cruise is how to end 2019 in style.
It’s not just partying that steals the show in this culture packed city! Spend your days around the celebration exploring the Anne Frank Museum, checking out Van Gogh originals and cycling around the ridiculously picturesque streets. We won’t tell anyone if you make a few coffee shop stops too…
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4. Paris
For a less conventional way of enjoying the New Year in Paris, boycott the celebrations on the Champs-Elysées and head down to the city’s red-light district, Montmartre. Immerse yourself in the street party that will have significantly less crowds than the Champs-Elysees, but far more character. If it’s raucousness you’re looking for, though, you’ll be spoilt for choice when picking a bar, cabaret or club to continue your celebrations long into the night. Paris may be known as a swanky city, but there are plenty of budget-friendly, traveller-approved bars to choose from too.
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5. Rio de Janeiro
With an electric atmosphere and party-loving spirit like nowhere else on earth, it’s no surprise that Rio de Janeiro is one of the best New Year’s Eve cities. It’s not all about Carnival – ‘Cariocas’ know how to party all year long! The biggest celebration takes place on Copacabana beach, where hundreds of thousands of people gather to watch the fireworks, listen to live music and soak up the festive vibes. It’s Brazilian tradition to wear white on New Year’s Eve, as it’s said to represent peace for the coming year, so join in to avoid looking like (such) a gringo!
January is the peak of summer in sizzling Rio, so make sure you extend your stay long enough for plenty of beach days and samba nights! Iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf Mountain are also waiting for you in this city that has it all.
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6. Prague
Prague is one of the nightlife capitals of Europe and it certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the best New Year’s Eve cities in the world. The jaw-dropping fireworks are best enjoyed from two vantage points, either on a river cruise or from one of the main squares. The squares are definitely for the more adventurous – as the atmosphere builds, larger crowds gather and the closer it gets to midnight the more hair raising it gets. Czechs love fireworks so it’s not uncommon for them to be set off by people in the crowd directly from their hand! We’re assured its safe… mainly.
If this all sounds a bit too intense, there are plenty of bars, pubs and clubs all over Prague that’ll offer more chilled celebrations. Bar Cobra has great food and craft beers by day, and a mellow vibe soundtracked by DJ’s all night long. It’s also near a great vantage point overlooking the river, so you can watch the fireworks from afar and avoid the squish!
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7. Barcelona
Barcelona’s official New Year’s celebration takes place at the Font Mágica de Montjuic (The Magic Fountains!) near Plaza de España. Do as the locals do and go armed with 12 grapes, one for each stroke of midnight, symbolising 12 lucky months ahead. If you fancy celebrating in Barcelona, or anywhere else in Spain, be sure to get plenty of rest the night before as you’ll be dancing the night away until 10am the next day. Luckily this also happens to be the perfect time for a cosy chocolate con churros, which you can find at almost any cafe in the city. Yum!
If you’re after somewhere to carry on the party after the official celebrations end, our list of the best clubs in Barcelona will be your handy guide!
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8. Sydney
There aren’t many cities that take New Year’s Eve as seriously as Sydney. From watching the world-famous fireworks with the crowds, to partying the year in in a swanky club, NYE can be whatever you make it here. The best celebration of all is free, and starts from 7pm with a water display in the harbour. Before the year’s out there’ll be epic light projections, operatic performances, dazzling boat displays and the culmination of it all, the fireworks at midnight. Everyone knows the Aussies love a drink, so expect the atmosphere to be merry and welcoming. You’ll forget about any New Year’s homesickness as you’re dancing to Auld Lang Syne with your new travel tribe!
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9. Budapest
Budapest is the home of the three day celebration, so if you’re planning on going all out for New Year’s Eve this is the city for you. Starting on 30th December on Vörösmarty Square and finishing on New Year’s Day, you’ll enjoy live bands from varying countries and of course a fireworks display at midnight. Once you can’t take the cold anymore, wander over to the Andrassy Avenue at legendary Central Liszt Ferenc Square, which is known for its café scene and a wide variety of bars to round off the night in style.
Every traveller has heard about Budapest’s epic ruin bars, and any one of them makes a perfect spot to ring in the New Year. Szimpla Kert is the OG, a crazy maze full of kitschy decor and quirky vibes that you could (and should) get lost in for hours. Instant Club is the biggest in the city, with about 20 rooms that are set to be filled to the rim with partygoers on New Year’s Eve!
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10. Bangkok
Veering away from Europe, Bangkok is a New Year’s Eve hotspot for backpackers and it’s not hard to see why. Each district has its own distinctive attractions that range from internationally recognised DJ’s found in ultra-chic nightclubs to roof top dinners. Bangkok’s Central World Square is where you’ll be amongst the big crowds, bringing in the New Year to live music performances, light shows and a massive fireworks display. If you’d rather party with your travel tribe though, iconic Khaosan Road hosts a street bash you’ll never forget, with backpackers from all over the world spilling out of every bar and dancing on the road until dawn.
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11. Rome
The “Eternal city” comes into its own for New Year’s Eve, so if you’re planning a trip to Italy to bring in the New Year, Rome is the place to be. The Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) boasts the best fireworks display in the Italian capital and from the hill next to St. Peter’s Basilica you will not only have the best view of the show, but the whole of Rome’s landscape to boot.
For music lovers Rome also steps up to the plate. Head to the Circus Maximum where you’ll find a free concert with some of the bests rappers, DJs and singers from Italy. If it’s electro music you’re into, don’t miss the ‘Amore Festival’ with DJs like Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos having played in previous years.
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12. Dublin
In classic Irish style, New Year’s Eve in Dublin has been transformed from a one night event into a three day affair, just for the craic of it. The streets of the city come to life as venues ranging from cafes to art galleries to Dublin Castle become pop-up venues for art trails, shows, parades and a festival of food village. Dublin also hosts a Countdown Concert headlined this year by Ash. For those who might be in Dublin alone, fear not, as it’s the perfect city to make new friends.
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