Best Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve

By Thomas Lamberth Sandbjerg

Expats may find themselves celebrating New Year’s Eve in a new place every December. Many also travel specifically to experience the coming of the new year abroad. There are plenty of places to choose from, and this article nominates a select few as the cream of the crop.

Dubai hosts the largest fireworks display in the world on New Year's Eve.

For whatever reason, you may be looking to spend the last day of December somewhere around the world. Maybe New Year’s at home has grown dull. Maybe your yearning for a New Year’s adventure is bubbling. Or, maybe you are a globetrotter whose bucket list needs a few more items. In any case, here’s a look at four fantastic places to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

So without further ado, let’s open the envelopes. The winners are:

For the Fireworks: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Fireworks have been synonymous with New Year’s Eve for a long time, but where are they fired best?

We could go in a lot of different directions here, but there’s no need to get cute; the explosive display put on in Dubai is unparalleled. Officially. Last year, the spectacle lasted all of six minutes, and according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the first sixty seconds alone shattered the previous record for largest fireworks display.

Needless to say, it will be interesting to see if the 2014 exhibition will top last year’s marvel. My gut tells me Dubai will, once again, go above and beyond. Undoubtedly, this is where you should go if you want to celebrate the coming of the new year with the biggest bang since, well, the beginning of time.

Honorable mention: The Times Square Ball Drop in New York, USA

For the Festivities: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

For many a party animal, New Year’s Eve is the Super Bowl of parties. The turn of the calendar is indeed cause for celebration, and the pop of the champagne plays a perfect second fiddle to the harmonies of the fireworks up above. New Orleans plays host to the most magnificent symphony of all.

The streets ooze with joy and jubilation as people are giddy with excitement for the night’s amusement. On Bourbon Street and in the rest of the French Quarter especially, the celebrations are in full swing all day. Enjoy exotic drinks and embrace the vibrant music seeping throughout the masses. It’s a fantastically festive day that no one who’s anyone should miss out on.

Bar none, New Year’s in New Orleans is as fabulous as it gets. Host of ten NFL Super Bowls, the city of New Orleans knows how to throw a party, and you’re invited.

Honorable mention: Champs-Elysees in Paris, France

For the Food: Havana, Cuba

This one obviously has a lot to do with taste. Regardless of palate, though, an elaborate dinner is a central part of most New Year’s celebrations. Of course, delicious food can be found all over the world, but to me, the Cuban kitchen takes the cake.

Cuban cuisine has seen all kinds of influences, which its flavors reflect. A lot of dishes are seasoned with sofrito, a blend of black pepper, garlic, oregano, onions, and green peppers. The thought of this combined with lemony marinades for all sorts of tender meats has my mouth watering all over the place.

The icing on the proverbial cake, however, is the fact that, for New Year’s, it’s Cuban custom to roast a whole, entire suckling pig. Where I come from, this is a true treat. But Denmark’s way too cold in winter to pull it off, so it’s reserved for festivities in the warmer months. For me, the envy is real.

I’m not one to travel for the food myself, however, but if you appreciate a good meal and are looking to see in the new year abroad, I’m sure there’s a piggy waiting for you in Havana.

Honorable mention: Seafood in Accra, Ghana

For Your Family: Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark

Yes, as a Dane, I am biased here. But believe you me when I say that Tivoli is a magical place. Many parents prefer to spend 31 December with their kids in relatively calm and easy fashion, and even young pairs of love birds roam the park on the last evening of the year.

White snow (usually) lines the streets and paths, and you can get crunchy roasted almonds and all sorts of hot drinks in the dozens of small kiosks, perfect for the chilly December afternoon. Let your kids be mesmerized by the various theatrical shows that are performed on the many stages around the amusement park.

For a cozy, cheerful, and romantic New Year’s Eve, there’s no place like Tivoli.

Honorable mention: Songkran Festival in Thailand (in April)

You can celebrate New Year’s Eve anywhere, of course, and these are but a few highlights around the world. Alas, as some of you may know, I myself will be at home celebrating with my friends (and jumping off chairs).

See you on the other side! And don’t forget to wear your safety goggles!

About Thomas Lamberth Sandbjerg

Thomas Sandbjerg is a Danish master’s student at Aalborg University. As part of his degree, he also studied at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, and worked in Munich, Germany.

Article Topics

Culture & Traditions

Repatriation (and the Culture Shock that Comes with It)

Similar to culture shock, reverse culture shock is something which expats struggle with all over the world. But while it is just as difficult and scary to deal with, it is less talked about than culture shock. Find out what reverse culture shock is and how you can overcome it.
Expats, Mental Health, and Maintaining Your Well-Being

For expats, there are numerous factors that can affect mental health. In this article, you will learn about what mental health is, stereotypes surrounding the topic, and most importantly, methods that you can implement in your life to help you maintain a good mental wellbeing!
The 4 Stages of Culture Shock

Culture shock is arguably the hardest part of moving abroad. There is no concrete timeline to culture shock and everyone experiences it to different degrees. But did you know it is a process with different stages? From the honeymoon phase to acceptance, where are you at in the cycle?
Expat Guilt: How to Stay Close While Afar

Moving abroad is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but there may be some things that keep you connected to your home country. Many expats feel guilty moving away from their loved ones. But you need not carry this guilt with you — there are so many ways to include loved ones in your new life!
The Art of Being an Expat

From engaging with local culture with a trip to a gallery, to signing up for an art class as a way to make friends, there are countless ways to enjoy the artistic aspects of life abroad. Some of the best artists in the world have been inspired by a location change. Now it's your turn!