Ring in the New Year somewhere different this year! There are many exotic places to celebrate New Year’s Eve that bring the celebration factor to another level. We’ve had the good fortune of ringing in the New Year around the world from India to Mexico. When traveling full-time, we often planned our itineraries around where the most happening New Year celebrations were taking place. From Asia to Australia and Africa to Scandinavia, let’s explore how other countries celebrate and what New Year’s Eve traditions you can expect worldwide.

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve Around the World

For nearly 20 years, Dave and I escaped Canada for the winter season and enjoyed different New Year’s traditions as we said goodbye to the old year and hello to the new.

New Year’s Eve is a time for a fresh start and to wish for peace and good fortune for the year ahead. Therefore, it makes sense that people love to celebrate the last night of the year in style. From long-standing traditions in South American countries like Brazil and Bolivia to the best New Year’s Eve Party in Australia, let’s see who does it best!

1. Edinburgh, Scotland

In Scotland, the last day of the old year is called Hogmanay, and they love to ring in the New Year with full-on festivities. This celebration was inspired by the Vikings, who celebrated the winter solstice with bonfire ceremonies. Today, it has evolved into a 3-day celebration, with this year’s biggest celebration taking place in Inverness.

Scotland celebrates with fireworks and gatherings, but the Scots also hold bonfire ceremonies and torch-lit processions, swinging giant fireballs, making it a fantastic place to ring in the year ahead.

Historically, the New Year’s traditions in Scotland include observing the ‘first footing’—where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings good fortune. Traditionally, this person was a dark-haired man bearing gifts, setting the tone for the year ahead.

Scottish Poet Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne

It makes sense to start our New Year’s celebrations in Scotland since one of the top New Year’s traditions globally is singing Auld Lang Syne. This song was penned by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, becoming a staple during Hogmanay. As Scots emigrated worldwide, they took this tradition with them.

Moreover, there is a Canadian connection with the song. Famous Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo was the show to watch on New Year’s Eve from 1929 to 1962. His orchestra played at the first nationwide New Year’s Eve broadcast from the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Lombardo’s rendition of Auld Lang Syne became an integral part of New Year’s celebrations everywhere.

2. New York, USA

Even if you haven’t been to New York City on New Year’s, you know about New York’s iconic ball drop. The Times Square celebration is televised worldwide as everyone watches the festivities unfold.

At midnight, the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square has become the world’s most famous New Year event. As the large crystal ball descends down the flagpole, revelers countdown from 10 while singing Auld Lang Syne, with couples kissing and toasting to a fresh start.

3. Sydney, Australia

For an unforgettable New Year’s experience, head to Sydney, Australia, for its spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour. The City organizes two sets of fireworks—one at 9:00 pm and one at midnight. These can be viewed from various local hotspots, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Since Sydney has a warm climate, many outdoor activities and events occur on New Year’s Eve, such as beach parties, picnics, and outdoor concerts.

4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its beautiful beaches, and it is common for locals to celebrate the New Year with beach parties. These events typically include live music, dancing, and fireworks displays, with the most famous party being the Reveillon na Praia on Copacabana Beach.

In Brazil, it is customary to have a special New Year dinner, known as Ceia de Ano Novo, featuring various traditional dishes. Eating black-eyed peas and lentils, which symbolize good luck and prosperity, is common.

Additionally, to ring in the New Year, locals often wear white, jump seven waves while making wishes, and eat seven pomegranate seeds. Seven is considered a lucky number in Brazilian culture.

5. Tokyo, Japan

New Year’s Eve, or Omisoka in Japan, is an important holiday traditionally focused on family gatherings to celebrate the end of the year. Tokyo, alongside Tokyo Disneyland, is a vibrant destination during this time.

It is common for people in Japan to visit temples and participate in religious ceremonies, praying for good fortune and prosperity in the coming year. Notable temples to visit in Tokyo include the Meiji Shrine and the Asakusa Shrine.

Moreover, like many countries, the Japanese welcome the new year with a fresh start by undertaking major cleaning endeavors. Merchants also take this opportunity to clear old inventory by offering fukubukuro, or lucky bags filled with charms.

6. Toronto, Canada

While some Canadians may partake in ice fishing on New Year’s, most prefer to celebrate within warm indoor festivities or at parties throughout the country. In cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Halifax, large-scale celebrations occur.

People often brave the winter chill to enjoy outdoor concerts in major city squares, culminating in fireworks and the countdown to midnight. The traditional customs include popping champagne, kissing at midnight, and singing Auld Lang Syne.

7. London, UK

The London New Year’s Eve fireworks display is one of the most iconic traditions. Organized by the Mayor of London, it occurs along the Thames River, with fireworks launched from the London Eye and other select locations. The chimes of Big Ben herald the arrival of the new year, as attendees hold hands and join in singing Auld Lang Syne.

The fireworks can be seen from various vantage points around the city, including the South Bank and Westminster Bridge. For a more relaxed atmosphere, visitors can head to one of the city’s pubs for a traditional celebration.

8. Hong Kong

Hong Kong celebrates Chinese New Year between January 21 and February 20, depending on the year, but it certainly embraces typical New Year’s Eve festivities on December 31. The Hong Kong skyline is unmatched, with a spectacular fireworks display over Victoria Harbour.

As the countdown approaches, a clock is displayed on the convention center at the harbor while performances from various artists deliver an electric atmosphere.

9. Cape Town, South Africa

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is one of the most beautiful settings for New Year celebrations. Party boats offer a unique way to ring in the New Year while enjoying the view of fireworks over the harbor. Rooftop bars and the waterfront promenade provide stunning perspectives of the celebrations.

Moreover, it is said that in some parts of South Africa, people throw old furniture out of windows. Though less common today due to safety concerns, keep an eye on the skies in case you find yourself in the area!

10. Panama

Celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Panama Canal is a spectacular sight, especially with fireworks lighting up the iconic structure. Panama City serves as a vibrant backdrop where people gather to welcome in the New Year.

This unique celebration includes the burning of life-size dolls at the stroke of midnight, known as muñecos de año viejo (old year dolls) or muñecos judas (Judas dolls). These dolls represent people the celebrants dislike, and burning them symbolizes the cleansing of the past year’s sins, making way for a fresh start.

11. Philippines

A distinctive tradition on New Year’s Eve in the Philippines is the wearing of polka dots. This stems from the belief that circles symbolize prosperity and wealth. Round shapes, reminiscent of coins, are believed to attract financial fortune in the coming year.

As midnight approaches, families come together, sharing festive meals and creating a raucous atmosphere with noise-makers ranging from firecrackers to pots and pans, warding off evil spirits and heralding a prosperous New Year.

12. Ireland

Ireland boasts unique traditions, such as banging bread to ward off evil spirits and thoroughly cleaning the house. Like Scotland, the Irish embrace the first footing and believe that entering a house through the front door and exiting through the back brings good luck.

13. Italy

In Italy, a popular New Year’s tradition involves eating 12 grapes at midnight—each grape corresponding to a month of the year. Additionally, many Italians wear red underwear as a talisman against bad luck.

14. Bolivia

On New Year’s Eve, Bolivians often wear special underwear to attract good fortune. The color they choose reflects their hopes and desires for the new year, with red often selected to invoke love and passion while yellow represents the wish for wealth and success.

15. Denmark

We began our exploration in Scotland, so it seems fitting to conclude with Denmark’s unique tradition of smashing plates. Like many other nations, the Danes celebrate with fireworks, champagne, and dining out at charming places like Tivoli Gardens.

One of Denmark’s more unique customs involves throwing old plates against neighbors’ doors. If you wake up to find your door scattered with broken plates, it’s deemed a positive omen for the year to come.

New Year’s Resolutions

Interestingly, the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions dates back to ancient civilizations. The ancient Babylonians were believed to be the first to establish New Year’s promises about 4000 years ago; their main commitments involved returning borrowed items and paying off debts.

While traditions have evolved over the millennia, we still view New Year’s Day as a chance to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future.

Where is your favorite place to ring in the New Year? Do you have unique traditions? Share your insights with us so we can continue to enrich this list!

Whether you’re in the first country to welcome the New Year, Kiribati in the South Pacific, or the last, American Samoa, we wish you a year filled with joy, luck, love, and laughter.