It’s maybe late December, but there is still time to choose a destination that will make your New Year’s Eve a memorable celebration. Fireworks, live performances, street parades – every city around the globe is getting ready to welcome the New Year, so let’s see the top destinations to toast 2014.
Barcelona, Spain
If you find yourself celebrating the arrival of 2014 in Barcelona, don’t miss the light show at the architectural miracle Torre Agbar Skyscraper. Make sure you carry with you at least 12 grapes when the clock strikes midnight. It’s a common custom to eat 12 grapes symbolizing the 12 clock chimes and it’s believed to bring luck for the next year.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is certainly one of the most remarkable places to welcome the New Year, but here people also celebrate Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year. The Meiji-jingu Shrine is visited by over 3 million people every year on this day where not 12, but 108 bell rings from the Buddhist temples mark the New Year. You can buy written oracles, make wishes and burn old charms and drink the traditional toso sake before heading to the shrine. The fireworks are best observed from Disneyland Tokyo.
Las Vegas, U.S.
If you want a night full of entertainment, head to Las Vegas, known as the craziest place on earth, especially on New Year’s Eve. The Strip closes up for vehicles and everyone can freely walk and watch the massive fireworks display shot from the rooftops from some of the huge, renowned casinos like Caesar’s palace, Treasure island, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, and so on. The Sin City promises even more of its wild adventures, games, and entertainments.
Niagara Falls, U.S.
As one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Niagara Falls attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year for the celebration. You can expect a musical concert, plus two spectacular firework shows at Queen Victoria Park in downtown Niagara. You can enjoy ice skating at the Rink at the Brink or try the heated Niagara SkyWheel to see the place from an unique perspective.
Dubai
Like everything else in Dubai, the New Year’s Eve celebration will be BIG! There will be parties across the entire city, but the absolute must-see will be the downtown firework spectacle centered on the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. These will be the biggest and highest fireworks ever and will most probably win a Guinness World Record. You will be able to see the one-of-a-kind water-light-fire show and while you are in the emirate, don’t miss to see at least several of its amazing architectural and design miracles. You can view the New Year’s Eve show from restaurants around the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake and stay at one of the many ultra-luxury city hotels.
Edinburgh, Scotland
You should see the Scottish way of celebration at least once in your life. The Hogmanay celebration, as they call the New Year, lasts several days and includes parties, street dancing, firework displays, and a torchlight procession along the historical Royal Mile of thousands of torch-holding people. There will also be free concerts, giant bonfires, fireworks and the ceilidhean, which is a type of Gaelic hootenanny, or celebration. You can expect around 80,000 people or more to gather beneath Edinburgh Castle for the Concert in the Gardens which presents live bands and performers, DJs, outdoor bars and naturally, fireworks. And to get rid of the inevitable hangover, try the Looney Dook – a bracing dip in the icy River Forth.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The city is definitely the best South American destination for celebrating New Year’s Eve – Rio de Janeiro will be having fireworks and never-ending parties. A record 2.3 million people the coming of 2013on the beach of Copacabana and this year the city expects even more.
Goa, India
This is India’s smallest and richest state, which also the most popular for tourism. Goa offers amazing natural beauty, exotic adventures, crazy nightlife, and serene places for the spa and yoga enthusiasts. Don’t miss the seaside party and life DJ performance, as well as the enormous fireworks that will brighten up the sky.
New York, U.S.
If you prefer spending New Year’s Eve in the States, the most iconic place to be is the Times Square in New York. Together with some 1 million people, you can witness the famous Waterford crystal ball dropping in addition to the amazing decorations, parties, and fireworks the city of New York prepares every year.
Hong Kong
“Asia’s World City” provides a 10-minute, multimedia laser-light spectacle, which incorporates over 40 skyscrapers every single night of the year, unless there are clouds. Just imagine the show for New Year’s Eve! Last year, the fireworks started from the Victoria Harbour and moved inland, enveloping the city’s towers. You can also visit the Times Square Mall for the annual New Year’s Eve countdown, if want to be part of the thousands of people partying and celebrating there.
