Why spend New Year's Eve 2026 in the UK when you could spend it somewhere exotic and far-flung?
Get planning your New Year holiday with our countdown of the best New Year destinations for 2026/27.
Our list of the best NYE destinations mixes the big fireworks cities with warm-weather escapes and European city breaks, so you can see in 2027 somewhere new. If you only have a minute, here are our quick picks:
- Best for fireworks: Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and New York City
- Best in Europe: Prague, Vienna and Barcelona for a short-haul city break
- Best for warm weather: Bali, Miami, Cape Town, Hawaii and Bangkok
- Best for something different: New Orleans for jazz, or Rome for a long family feast before midnight
Use the links below to jump to the section you're interested in:
- Top international New Year destinations
- Best New Year destinations in Europe
- Warm and Original New Year Destinations
- FAQs about travelling during New Year's
But first, let's look at why we celebrate New Year at all, and how different countries put their own spin on the night.
How To Plan Your New Year's Break Abroad
Why Do We Celebrate New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve, the world's biggest shared party, has a history rooted in tradition and change. In many countries the night is still called Silvester, after Pope Silvester I, whose feast day falls on 31 December.
The Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582, helped fix 1 January as the start of the year across much of the world, and with it the tradition of celebrating on the night before. The historical link might be obscure today, but the idea of coming together to mark a fresh start is the same everywhere.
How Different People Celebrate New Year Around the World
On New Year's Eve, every culture puts its own spin on the night. Here's a glimpse into how people celebrate in different countries:
- Japan: In Japan, New Year's Eve, known as "Omisoka," is a time for reflection and cleansing. People visit temples to hear large bells rung 108 times, symbolising the 108 earthly desires in Buddhist belief. It's tradition to eat "toshikoshi soba," or year-crossing noodles, for good luck and a long life.
- Spain: Spaniards eat twelve grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock. Manage all twelve in time and you're said to be in for a year of good luck.
- Brazil: In Brazil, many people dress in all-white attire on New Year's Eve to symbolise peace. At midnight, crowds gather on beaches to offer flowers, candles and small boats to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea.
- Scotland: In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after midnight is the "first footer," who brings symbolic gifts like coins, bread, salt and whisky to bring the household good fortune.
- Greece: Greeks smash a pomegranate on their doorstep as they enter their homes. The more seeds that burst out, the more luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
- Philippines: Round shapes are considered lucky, symbolising coins and wealth. Families lay round fruits on the table, and many people wear polka dots for good luck.
- Denmark: Danes save old plates during the year and smash them against the doors of friends and family on New Year's Eve, a way of letting go of the past.
- Thailand: Thailand celebrates 31 December too, but its traditional New Year, Songkran, comes in April with a water festival symbolising purification and renewal. People splash water on each other, clean their homes and visit temples to make offerings.
Whether you're eating grapes in Spain, smashing plates in Denmark or splashing water in Thailand, New Year is a time for celebration across the globe.
Which country celebrates New Year first?
Kiribati takes the crown as the first to shout "Happy New Year!" Thanks to its spot near the International Date Line, its Line Islands see in 2027 a full 14 hours ahead of the UK.
Close behind are Samoa and Tonga. Fancy being one of the first in the world to raise a glass? That's the corner of the Pacific to aim for. Sydney is one of the first big cities to celebrate, which is part of why its fireworks are watched around the world.
Is it cheaper to travel at New Year's?
New Year is peak season for flights and hotels, but there are ways to keep the cost down while exploring some of the best countries to visit for New Year:
- Pick the underdogs: Skip the big-name party capitals and head for less obvious places like Tbilisi or Madeira, with plenty of charm but without the eye-watering price tags.
- Book early: Flights and hotels around 31 December tend to rise the closer you get, so lock in the essentials as soon as your plans are set.
- Flex your dates: Flying on the 31st is usually the priciest option. Shifting your plans by a day or two can make a real difference. A tool like Away.ai is a handy way to compare your options.
Gift an Epic NYE Holiday with a Gift Voucher for Travel
Give someone the chance to see these destinations in person, with the UK's best airline gift card. It can be used with over 400 trusted airlines, from British Airways to Ryanair, and everything in between.
You choose the amount and they choose where to go. Our airline gift card never expires, so your loved one can plan their dream New Year's break abroad whenever suits them. All they need to do is visit our website, browse flights and book with their unique gift card code. Wherever they dream of going for New Year's Eve, our flight gifts make it possible and are simple to use.
The 14 Best New Year Destinations Worldwide
1. New Year's Eve in New York City, USA
New York City, "The City That Never Sleeps," comes alive on New Year's Eve.
Whether you choose views from one of the city's rooftop bars or a cosy celebration in Brooklyn, New York has options for every kind of night. The Times Square countdown and ball drop is the one most people picture, bringing together huge crowds in the final moments before midnight. If you plan to watch from the street, arrive very early and expect to stay put for hours.
2. New Year's Eve in Hawaii, USA
Swap the winter coat for flip-flops and see in the New Year in Hawaii.
The islands offer a blend of cultural traditions and natural beauty: celebrate on the beach, enjoy a luau feast, or watch local fireworks over the water. With swaying palm trees and the sound of the ocean, it's a relaxed way to welcome the New Year (with plenty of beautiful beaches to recover on afterwards).
3. New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia
If you want the fireworks the rest of the world watches on TV, choose Sydney as your NYE destination.
Australia sees in the New Year hours before the UK, and the display over the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House is world-famous. Some vantage points are free and some are ticketed, and the best spots fill up early in the day, so plan ahead. It's also summer in Australia in December, so you get a beach day thrown in.
4. New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Next our list of the best New Year destinations is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio knows how to throw a party, and its New Year's Eve celebration, known as "Réveillon," is legendary. Join huge crowds of locals and visitors on Copacabana Beach, dressed in white, for live music, samba and a fireworks display along the length of the beach.
Best New Year Destinations in Europe
Europe is the easiest option for a New Year break from the UK: short flights, no jet lag, and a choice of cities that do New Year very differently. Prague and Vienna lean into old-world grandeur, Barcelona adds mild weather and the twelve grapes, and Paris and Rome are made for a long dinner before midnight.
If you'd rather stay closer still, see our guides to New Year in Amsterdam and New Year's Eve in Dublin.
5. New Year's Eve in Prague, Czech Republic
Next on our list of the best New Year destinations is Prague.
The city celebrates enthusiastically on 31 December, with crowds filling Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The city has also traditionally held its official celebration on the evening of New Year's Day rather than at midnight, a choice driven by concerns about noise, animal welfare and cost. The format has changed in recent years, so check Prague's official tourism site for this year's plans before you book around it.
6. New Year's Eve in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona offers a different kind of New Year's Eve, set between the mountains and the sea with mild December temperatures.
The biggest public celebration usually centres on Plaça d'Espanya and the Montjuïc area, with music and festivities into the night. Don't forget the Spanish tradition of eating a grape with each chime at midnight: finish all twelve in time and good luck is said to follow.
Tip: As one of the first cities on the continent to feel spring, Barcelona is also one of the best April destinations in Europe.
7. New Year's Eve in Vienna, Austria
Vienna takes Silvester seriously.
The New Year's Eve Trail through the Old Town brings stages, food stalls and music to the streets, with fireworks at midnight. For something more elegant, Vienna's ball season offers a trip back in time, and the city's New Year's Day concert is a tradition in its own right.
Related reading: the best places to visit in Austria
8. New Year's Eve in Paris, France
Paris makes New Year's Eve about the evening as much as the moment.
Enjoy dinner at one of the city's luxurious restaurants or chic bars, then head out shortly before midnight. The main public celebration is on the Champs-Élysées, with a light show and fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour. On a clear night, you might even spot the Disneyland Paris fireworks in the distance.
For more ideas, see our guide to celebrating the New Year in France, or browse more of Europe's biggest celebrations.
9. New Year's Eve in Rome, Italy
Another of the best places for New Year in Europe is Rome, Italy.
For good luck in the year ahead, locals wear red underwear on New Year's Eve, so pack some. Forgot? Don't worry, the city's shops are full of it in late December. Romans typically celebrate with family and a long feast, then head out to the city's squares just before midnight for the fireworks.
Warm and Original New Year Destinations
Want to swap winter for sunshine? These destinations combine a big night out with warm weather, and a couple of them do New Year in a way you won't find anywhere else.
10. New Year's Eve in Bali, Indonesia
At number 9 on our list is Bali.
With its beaches and rich culture, Bali gives New Year's Eve an island feel. Celebrate on the shore or at one of the beachfront parties with live music and fireworks. Bali's warm hospitality and tropical setting make it ideal for welcoming the New Year in a relaxed yet festive atmosphere.
December falls in Bali's rainy season, so plan for the odd tropical downpour.
11. New Year's Eve in New Orleans, USA
Let the good times roll on New Year's Eve 2026 in New Orleans.
Thanks to its music scene and electric nightlife, it's often named one of the best places to celebrate New Year in the world. Stroll through the historic French Quarter, savour Cajun and Creole cooking, or follow the sound of live jazz: New Orleans knows how to start the year with a good time.
12. New Year's Eve in Cape Town, South Africa
For a summer New Year's Eve 2026, head to Cape Town and the celebrations at the V&A Waterfront.
With Table Mountain behind you and the city lights around you, it's a picturesque setting for an evening of music, food and festivities along the promenade. Fancy something more low-key? Do as the locals do and have a braai with family and friends.
13. New Year's Eve in Miami, USA
Up next is Miami. Glamour, celebrities and winter sunshine make it a natural choice for New Year 2027.
Dance beneath the stars in South Beach, toast with champagne at a gala, take an evening cruise on Biscayne Bay, or join the open-air celebration at Bayfront Park. For a slice of local Miami, head to Little Havana for a salsa-fuelled street party, or keep going until sunrise at one of the city's late-night clubs.
14. New Year's Eve in Bangkok, Thailand
The last destination on our list, Bangkok, is wonderfully chaotic for NYE.
Start your evening at CentralWorld, Bangkok's answer to Times Square, with giant screens, live music and a big countdown crowd. Prefer something more exclusive? Head to one of the city's famous rooftop bars, like Vertigo or Sky Bar (yes, the one from The Hangover), for cocktails with views over the skyline.
For some culture, make your way to a temple like Wat Arun to join locals in offering prayers for the year ahead. Feeling adventurous? Book a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River and float past illuminated temples while you eat.
Related reading: if you're headed to Thailand a little earlier, make sure to read our full November Thailand guide.
Will You Visit One of These Destinations for NYE 2026?
Get planning your New Year break abroad with our roundup of the best destinations for New Year's Eve 2026. Why settle for a quiet night at home when you could be watching fireworks over Sydney Harbour, partying in Bangkok or welcoming 2027 on the beach in Rio? Wherever you choose, pick your destination, pack your bag and start the countdown.
Prefer to Stay in the UK for New Year's Eve? A shorter trip closer to home can be just as much fun. If you'd rather enjoy the local festivities, take a look at our list of the best UK destinations for New Year, from Edinburgh's Hogmanay to quieter escapes in the countryside.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Year Travel
Where is the best place in the world to celebrate New Year?
For fireworks on a grand scale, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and New York City are the classic choices. For something closer to the UK, Prague, Vienna and Barcelona offer big celebrations on a short flight. The best place depends on whether you want a huge crowd, warm weather or a more relaxed night.
What is the best New Year destination in Europe?
Prague and Vienna are top picks for atmosphere and tradition, Barcelona for milder weather, and Paris or Rome if you'd rather build the night around a long dinner. All are a short flight from most UK airports.
Where can I go for a warm New Year's Eve?
Bali, Miami, Hawaii, Bangkok, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney all fall in warm weather at New Year. Closer to home, Madeira and the Canary Islands are popular winter sun options.
What's the Schengen 90/180 rule in simple terms?
UK passport holders can spend up to 90 days in total within any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, not per country. The official EU short-stay calculator helps you track your days.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and how does it affect UK travellers?
The EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU travellers, including British passport holders, at the external Schengen border, recording your fingerprints and a facial image. It replaces manual passport stamping and helps enforce the 90/180-day limit. Expect to register at a kiosk or desk on your first entry, so allow extra time at the border, especially on busy holiday dates.
Do UK travellers need ETIAS for a New Year trip to Europe?
ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation that UK visitors will need to apply for online before visiting the Schengen Area once it launches. It follows the Entry/Exit System, and its start date has moved more than once, so check the official ETIAS website before you travel for the current position and fee.
How far ahead should I book a New Year trip?
As early as you can. Flights and hotels around 31 December are among the most in demand of the year, and prices for the most popular destinations usually climb as the date gets closer. Flying a day or two either side of New Year's Eve is one of the easiest ways to save.