Edinburgh, Scotland
Each year, roughly 70,000 visitors flood the streets of Edinburgh to participate in Hogmanay, Scotland's three day long New Year celebration. Hogmanay kicks off on December 30th with a torchlight procession led by a band of torch wielding Vikings through oldtown Edinburgh accompanied by drummers and bagpipers in traditional Scottish ceremonial dress. This parade attracts up to thirty thousand torch wielding visitors every year, creating a "river of fire" that ends with a majestic fireworks display, and that's just the first night! The 3 day festival features live musical performances, family events, a dog sledding competition, dance parties in the streets and ends on January 1st with a mile-long run into the frigid River Forth!
Berlin, Germany
Berlin goes all out for New Year's Eve. Festivities begin the day before with a 5k charity run where runners must stop to flip pancakes throughout the race. On New Year's Eve, Berlin lifts it's restrictions on fireworks and the night sky erupts with dozens of spontaneous fireworks displays. Berlin's world famous nightclubs open their doors and keep the party going all night with some of the world's best DJ's in charge of the music. But the real party takes place at Brandenburg Gate, where over a million people pack the square to enjoy a lively rock concert that ends at midnight with an incredible fireworks display above the Brandenburg Gate.
Times Square, New York City
Though it may not be the biggest New Year's Eve party in the world, the annual celebration in Times Square is probably the most famous. Each year, one million people pack Times Square in order to watch the ball drop, and it's estimated that one billion people throughout the world tune in to watch the live broadcast. People start arriving in Times Square early in the afternoon, hoping to get a spot with a good view of the ball drop. Once you're in, you can't leave without losing your spot, so you better be ready for a long night on your feet. At 6pm, the ball rises to the top of the flagpole, accompanied by a pyrotechnic display. At 8pm, the New Year's Rockin' Eve concert begins, and the crowd gets to enjoy performances by some of the world's biggest musical acts. At 11:59pm, the ball begins it's slow descent down the flagpole, and the countdown to midnight begins. Once the ball drops and the fireworks end, a million people race to find the nearest bathroom.
Sydney, Australia
There are many good reasons to celebrate New Year's in Sydney, Australia. It's technically the first city to cross over into the new year. It's summer in Australia, so you get warm, balmy weather perfect for a night of dancing on the beach. Best of all, Sydney Harbor boasts the world's largest fireworks display! The twelve minute long display involves six barges spread over three and a half miles, and uses an estimated 30,000 pyrotechnic effects. That's a lot of fireworks! Each year, the fireworks, concerts and lively beach parties attract up to two million visitors to Sydney, making this the second largest New Year's party on Earth!
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Finally, the honor of the biggest, best, and most incredible New Year's Eve party goes to the New Year's Eve celebration at Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Known as Reveillon, this gigantic New Year's Eve party sees nearly three million people descend on Copacabana Beach every year! The party features oceanfront stages for live music and dance performances, plenty of vendors offering delicious Brazilian street food, and an incredible fireworks display! Locals where white to symbolize new beginnings and good luck, and leave flowers in the ocean as an offering to Lemanja, goddess of the sea.
So there you have it. The largest New Year's Eve party can be found in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Personally though, I think Hogmanay in Scotland is at the top of my New Year's party wishlist. There's just something exciting about the chance to ring in the new year with fire-dancing Vikings and authentic Scottish bagpipers. Which one was your favorite?
