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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve
nye celebrations introNew York and Sydney aren’t the only acts in town – which is good news for anyone who prefers to avoid the inevitable stress of mass celebrations. We’ve scouted out alternative destinations that offer just as much character without all the crowds.
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Vienna, AustriaVienna, Austria: For those looking for a little culture with their New Year’s celebrations, Vienna is the place to be. The Austrian capital is famous for its swanky New Year’s Eve Grand Ball at Hofburg Palace, attended by the who’s who of Europe dressed in their finest. For the rest of us though, Vienna has plenty to offer at the various Christmas markets and the Silvesterpfad (New Year’s Path) in the historic city centre. Join the crowd on New Year’s Day at the Rathaus (City Hall) to watch the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert on a giant screen for a truly moving start in the new year. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Niagara Falls, CanadaNiagara Falls, Canada: This might come as a surprise, but Niagara Falls is a great place to celebrate, especially for those looking for family-friendly options. The party kicks off at Queen Victoria Park at 8pm and includes two firework shows – the first is at 9pm for the kids that can’t keep their eyes open until midnight. For those who don’t want to brave the crowds, there are also tons of things to do at Clifton Hill amusement park with its Dinosaur Park and glow-in-the-dark mini golf, both of which are fun for the kids and tipsy grown-ups – so everybody wins!
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Mount Takao, JapanMount Takao, Japan: While millions of people flock to the biggest cities for a crowded night of revelry and fireworks, others choose a night away from the noise. For them, climbing to the top of Mount Takao (just an hour from Tokyo by train) to watch the sunrise is literally a breath of fresh air. Join fellow adventurers and natives at the mountain’s peak, as local priests conduct a “festival to welcome the light”. You’ll gaze out onto the new horizon with the chanting of sutras in your ears and a beautiful new year’s morning sun warming your face… it doesn’t get more euphoric than that.
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Göhren, Rügen, GermanyGöhren, Rügen, Germany: The island of Rügen is located in the Baltic Sea and is home to a collection of small seaside towns, each with its own New Year’s Eve traditions. In Göhren, people celebrate the “beach chair New Year’s Eve” (Strandkorb Silvester), where everyone relaxes in wicker beach chairs on the shoreline to watch the fireworks. The night will include Middle Age markets, fire juggling and of course, live music. Take in the salty sea air and toast the new year with a warm mug of mulled wine! [Photo: magnetismus/Flickr]
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Auckland/Wellington, New ZealandAuckland/Wellington, New Zealand: If you’d like to be one of the first to welcome the new year, Auckland and Wellington might be your best bet. They’re located in the second time zone, meaning you’ll be one of the first to raise your glass at midnight – plus they’re easily reached with direct flights from cities around the world. While you’re there, take a tour of some of New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes – where parts of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed.
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Weymouth, United KingdomWeymouth, United Kingdom: If you like to party in style, head over to Weymouth. This harbour town on the Dorset coast is home to the biggest fancy dress New Year’s Eve party in the UK. The town pubs and restaurants along the waterfront host an all-night party called The Front Live event, where music, drinks and food keep everyone going until sunrise. Join the fancy-dressed party-goers in Hope Square or around the Jubilee Clock to count down to midnight before dancing the night away.
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Homigot Sunrise Festival, South KoreaHomigot Sunrise Festival, South Korea: Homigot means “village on a tiger’s tale”, which makes sense, since it‘s located on the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula. The Homigot Sunrise Festival brings together thousands of people from around the world as they watch the new year’s first sunrise over a giant hand sculpture on the waterfront. Sample some tteokguk (rice cake soup), a traditional New Year’s dish, and launch a hope balloon into the sky with wishes attached for a fresh start. [Photo: Chung Hong-jae]
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Tornio, Finland and Haparanda, SwedenTornio, Finland and Haparanda, Sweden: If ringing in the new year only once isn’t enough for you, we have good news: you can do it twice in the same night! Tornio and Haparanda are a short walk away from each other and happen to be in different countries as well as different time zones. You can start celebrating in Tornio, Finland and then head across the bridge for a second countdown in Haparanda, Sweden. Two New Year beginnings, two rounds of fireworks, in two different countries! [Photo: Commons Wikimedia]
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Key West, Florida, USAKey West, Florida, USA: In the States, many partiers watch the famous ball drop in NYC’s Time Square. What some might not know, however, is that many towns across the country have unique ball drops of their own. The most unusual – and therefore most fun – drop of all might be the one hosted by Bourbon Street Pub in Key West. A legendary local drag queen named Sushi sits in a huge red high-heel shoe that is dropped as the clock ticks down to midnight. A crowd has gathered on Duval Street every 31 December to watch the spectacle for almost 20 years now, making it a town New Year’s tradition. [Photo: Facebook @bourbonstpub]
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Top 10 Lesser-Known Destinations For New Year’s Eve.
Reykjavik, IcelandReykjavik, Iceland: Iceland is a hot spot for adventure travellers everywhere, but New Year’s Eve is one of the best times to visit the land of fire and ice. The Icelanders themselves set off fireworks all over the capital city, meaning you can party pretty much anywhere and get a great show. Locals gather to sing around the bonfires that light up across the city as well, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. After watching an annual New Year’s TV special (Áramótaskaupið – try saying that three times fast), the friendly people of Reykjavik celebrate long into the night, with bars staying open until 5am. [Photo: Visit Reykjavík]
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