Celebrate it in style! The best cities to see in the new year, revealed by Lonely Planet
From all-night parties to participating in cherished traditions with friends and family, New Year’s is the ultimate time to celebrate in style.
While some people may prefer to enjoy it from the comfort of their own home, others are keen to see the cultural differences in how the New Year is welcomed around the world.
If you want to plan an outing for the coming period around New Year, Lonely planet has revealed some of the best cities to celebrate the occasion.
Read on below for the full list.
8. London
Fireworks illuminate the London skyline above Big Ben and the London Eye just after midnight on January 1, 2023
From a boat trip along the Thames to an immense fireworks display, London has something for everyone when it comes to its famous New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and the Millennium Bridge are always popular places to catch a glimpse of London’s fireworks.
Anyone who likes to put on their dancing shoes and party all night can head to one of the capital’s iconic nightclubs, such as Cirque le Soir or Ministry of Sound.
7. Madrid
Hundreds of people gather at midnight during the traditional New Year’s Eve chimes on the last day of 2022 in Madrid, Spain
The Spanish party scene follows a slightly more unconventional time format than the British may be used to.
While many nightclubs in Britain often close around 3am, it is not unusual for those in Spain to stay open until 7am, making Madrid the perfect place to party the night away on New Year’s Eve.
Local traditions you won’t want to miss include eating 12 grapes in the last 12 seconds of the countdown to the new year, and ending the evening with the Spanish specialty hot chocolate and churros.
6. Stockholm
New Year’s Eve celebrations with fireworks over Skepsbron Street in central Stockholm at midnight on December 31, 2013
While it is traditional for many Swedes to spend New Year’s Eve indoors with family and friends, there are a plethora of activities to choose from if you are brave enough to spend a cold Scandinavian night in Stockholm.
Lonely Planet highlights the annual midnight fireworks, which light up spectacularly over the city’s Royal Castle.
The best views for the exhibition can be found from Stadshuset, Fjällgatan or the Västerbron and Skanstullsbron bridges, the guide says.
Other highlights include a New Year’s Eve concert in Stockholm Cathedral, with musicians performing the songs of Haydn and Judith Bingham. The Royal Swedish Opera House hosts its traditional New Year’s concert as the country brings its golden jubilee year to a close.
5. Edinburgh
A general evening view of Princes Street as Edinburgh
What better place to welcome the New Year than to take part in the Scottish capital’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations with ceilidhs, music, fireworks and stirring renditions of Auld Lang Syne?
The torchlight procession through the city center, accompanied by pipes and drums, with the annual Concert in the Gardens – this year with Pulp and Hot Chip – which attracted a huge crowd.
Elsewhere, you can witness a serene candlelit concert at St Giles Cathedral, a giant ceilidh at Edinburgh Castle, or take a dip in the River Forth with the annual Loony Dook to banish your New Year’s hangover.
4.Dublin
Members of the Dublin Circus Project, dressed as angels and devils, perform on Grafton Street in Dublin on New Year’s Day
When it comes to welcoming the new year, few do it with more spectacle, style and stamina than the Irish.
Before sipping a smooth and creamy pint of Guinness in one of the capital’s many pubs, the city’s New Year’s Eve festival is well worth exploring.
While Temple Bar is a conveniently located spot, partygoers can also head to John Kavanagh’s pub, located by Dublin’s cemetery, for a pint of plain that may be the best in the city.
3. Paris
Fireworks explode over the Eiffel Tower as part of the annual Bastille Day celebration in Paris, July 14, 2023
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway this New Year, Paris might be the place to go. There are incredible views of Paris from the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, but make sure you arrive early enough to climb the steep hill to the cathedral.
Of course, you don’t want to miss any of the famous local cuisine, so book in advance to ensure a spot in what is obviously a hectic and busy period for restaurants.
2. Lisbon
Fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Cascais Bay near Lisbon, Portugal
Although many tourists are put off walking through Lisbon due to its infamous steep incline, the upside of all the uphills is that you get fantastic views of fireworks shows.
For parties, you can visit the busy and bustling Praça do Comércio or the 16th-century Torre de Belem tower.
The best party scene can be found in Bairro Alto and if you want to celebrate the dawn of a new year in traditional Portuguese fashion, eat 12 raisins, one at a time, at midnight, accompanied by a glass of espumante, Portugal’s exquisite version of champagne.
1. Berlin
Berlin’s famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, is illuminated during New Year’s celebrations in the city
First place, as revealed by Lonely Planet, goes to what is seen by many as the party capital of Europe.
Admired around the world for its famous techno dance clubs – with raves that last until the early hours – Berlin is hard to beat when it comes to partying.
Kulturbrauerei is hosting the city’s largest indoor New Year’s Eve party and will play host to as many as 30 DJs on 13 different dance floors, with plenty of other parties taking place in a city with a rich music history.