Wondering where to spend your New Year? Are you looking for a change of scenery or cultural discoveries? Mondassur has put together a short list of the best destinations around the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025?
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, also known as the “crazy city”, is a must-see destination. New Year’s Eve in Bangkok is internationally renowned for its dynamism. If you’re dreaming of a sunny New Year’s Eve in 30-degree heat and shorts, Thailand is the place for you! What’s more, the warm welcome and smiling faces of the Thai people will ensure that you’ll enjoy a convivial atmosphere.
2. Hong-Kong, China
In addition to the Chinese New Year celebrated in February, Hong Kong celebrates New Year’s Eve on December 31 with the rest of the world. Festivities include massive countdown parties, huge fireworks displays and live concerts. Hong Kong’s bay and skyline are lit up, ablaze with spectacular fireworks reflected in the skyscrapers.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of Europe’s most affordable capitals. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of the festive season in this city of incomparable charm in winter. On the evening of December 31st, the locals gather in an old town square to watch the clock strike midnight, before marvelling at the fireworks.
Bonus: You’ll find low-cost parties all over the city. There’s something for everyone!
4. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is renowned for bringing together young people from all over the world and offering them a place to party all year round. Although Spaniards often opt for a family New Year’s Eve, you’ll find plenty of celebrations on December 31 evening in this tourist city. Catalan nights tend to start late, giving you plenty of time to try your hand at the famous tradition of lucky grapes. The principle is simple: swallow twelve grapes one by one as the clock strikes midnight. According to tradition, the lucky ones who manage to swallow them rhythmically will have a happy new year. Bonus: temperatures are pretty good, even in winter!
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Considered one of Europe’s best cities to ring in the New Year, Amsterdam has plenty to offer this festive season. The city is one of the most popular in Europe for its many activities: sightseeing, atypical bars and restaurants… If you like a party atmosphere, head for the red light district or the Oosterdok. Rembrandtplein, Nieumarkt, Museumplein and Dam Square are also iconic Amsterdam landmarks.
6. Berlin, Germany
Berlin, the capital of Germany and Europe’s party capital. It’s the city that never sleeps! Every year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Feistmeile to count down to midnight and watch a gigantic fireworks display. The unique atmosphere is created by live musical performances on numerous stages, international stars, gastronomy… After midnight, you can dance the night away in an open-air discotheque.
7. Rome, Italy
La Dolce Vita is a great way to end the year and start the new one, isn’t it? It’s the embodiment of a life full of love, good food… An excellent reason to visit and spend New Year’s Eve in Italy. In Rome, spend New Year’s Eve in the Piazza del Popolo, where the whole city gathers in a convivial, festive atmosphere. Everyone shares and drinks together for a long part of the evening. Then, at midnight, you can enjoy the fireworks from the Colosseum. Rome is an ideal destination for lovers, friends or family to enjoy the festivities taking place all over the city.
8. New York, USA
It’s hard not to mention the New Year’s Eve classic in New York. America’s most famous East Coast city guarantees an extraordinary New Year’s Eve. In New York, New Year’s Eve festivities begin in the afternoon. The city is one of the last to usher in the New Year. The New Year in every country in the world is celebrated in Time Square, hour after hour. You can watch the famous Times Square Ball ceremony, a luminous time ball. The ball descends slowly from 11.59pm on a mast on the roof of One Times Square, landing at exactly midnight. Nearly 1 million people spend New Year’s Eve in New York on this square!
9. Sydney, Australia
The Australian city organizes an unforgettable New Year’s Day, with beach barbecues, sun and coconut trees, and parties into the wee hours. The highlight of the night’s festivities is the fireworks display around the Harbour Bridge. The first fireworks display is at 9 p.m. for the younger crowd, followed by another at midnight.
10. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Looking for an exceptional New Year’s Eve experience? Come to Rio at this time of year! The enchantment of fireworks on Copacabana beach, feet in the water, surrounded by festive Cariocas dressed in white, and free concerts all along the beach! Enjoy the end-of-year festivities in the middle of summer. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy a swim or even go surfing as soon as the clock strikes midnight!
Have you decided to spend your New Year abroad? Don’t forget to take out your travel insurance before you leave, so you can celebrate the first day of the year to the full. Mondassur will be at your side throughout the year to help you compare the best travel insurances and find the right expatriate insurance for you anywhere in the world!
And… Happy New Year 2025!
