Where to go for New Year’s Eve? Or just to celebrate any special occasion? Here are 5 very different cities across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and America.
Read about their strengths and choose the one that suits you.
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For those who love discovering unusual destinations: Hamburg
Young, fashionable, vibrant: at first glance, you might immediately think of Berlin, but it’s actually Hamburg. It’s that less-known but equally fascinating part of Germany that faces the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Especially during the holidays, this mercantile city (the country’s main port and the third-largest in Europe) excels with decorations, lights, events in the square, markets, and themed parades.
So, it has all the characteristics to be the right destination for a New Year’s getaway with friends, as every year there are fireworks, street parties, and internationally renowned DJs performing in clubs.
But beyond the fun, there’s more, especially many places to see: here, the past and the future coexist harmoniously between old docks and historic warehouses (the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO heritage site, hosts exhibitions, museums, and art and design exhibitions in its red brick neo-Gothic buildings) next to contemporary structures, such as the glass and metal concert hall on the Elbe River (the Elbphilharmonie).
The Fish Market is also a place to mark on your list: active for over three centuries, it has dozens of stalls where you can buy, in addition to fish (especially Atlantic salmon, eels, and smoked herring), clothing, plants, and flowers.
But be mindful of the hours because the market is only held on Sundays from 5:00 to 9:30. It’s worth waking up early for a stroll not only to take some photos of the Fischauktionshalle (the late 19th-century-style fish auction hall) but especially to witness some sellers’ shows trying to sell their goods to the highest bidder in a rather theatrical manner.
Also, Hamburg’s City Hall, the neo-Renaissance Rathaus, is undoubtedly worth a visit: since 1897, it has been the symbol not only of the square of the same name but of the entire city.
Having a few extra days available, the advice is to reach Lübeck, less than an hour by train from Hamburg: a city with medieval charm on the Trave River, with Gothic churches, spires, towers, and houses that were the Nobel laureates Thomas Mann and Günter Grass’s museums.
To immerse yourself in authentic local activities: London
The English capital is always a good idea to spend the beginning of the new year, so cheerful, decorated for the holidays, and full of initiatives for both young and old.
From ice-skating rinks to exclusive club parties, from markets full of delicacies to shopping on streets illuminated by thousands of LED lights: New Year’s in London is always a guarantee.
And if you particularly love the traditions of this city, an idea could be to participate in the tea ritual in a very British location like The Lanesborough London (5 stars of the Oetker Collection) in Knightsbridge, which organizes a special version inspired by Bridgerton.
The Queen Charlotte Festive Afternoon Tea, in collaboration with Netflix, is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of the TV series and taste a refined selection of savory and sweet snacks in a Regency Era-style environment.
If you fall in love with this hotel housed in a beautiful eighteenth-century building, know that for the evening of December 31, a New Year’s dinner is planned (open to external guests as well) at The Lanesborough Grill, with a menu curated by Executive Chef Shay Cooper and live music.
In addition to the usual Christmas markets and themed villages around the city (such as the Southbank Centre Winter Market, until December 26, and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, until January 1, 2024), to immerse yourself in the warm holiday atmosphere, don’t miss the coolest place of the moment: the renewed Battersea Power Station (the former power plant on the Thames became famous after appearing on the cover of a Pink Floyd album) which now houses shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, and luxury apartments.
With the panoramic glass elevator Lift 109, you can climb to the top of one of the chimneys and enjoy the fireworks show from above at midnight.
To experience an early summer: Dubai
Dubai always hosts a grand celebration for New Year’s, making it no surprise that this city in the United Arab Emirates is a sought-after destination, drawing travelers from all corners of the globe for its extravagant events and spectacular shows.
Among these, the most famous and awaited is the fireworks that brightly illuminate the skyline of Downtown Dubai, with the world’s tallest skyscraper (Burj Khalifa, 828 meters) serving as a backdrop: to watch “front row,” you can position yourself along the three kilometers of the Dubai Water Canal or opt for one of the many restaurants with a panoramic terrace.
But there is also a nightclub where you can dance and count down with a stunning view: it’s The Penthouse, on the sixteenth floor of the Five Palm Jumeirah Dubai, which will welcome the arrival of 2024 with DJ sets and live performances from 8:00 pm until dawn the next day.
In Dubai, we’ve discovered that boredom is never an option, especially on New Year’s Eve. Following a night of festivities, what could be better than unwinding by the sea, thanks to the warm climate that prevails even in winter?
The options are extensive: for those seeking a free beach experience, Jumeirah Open Beach could be the answer. If a distinctive setting is more to your liking, then Umm Suqeim Beach is the perfect choice, positioned right beneath one of the city’s most iconic structures—the 7-star sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.
Something more intimate? Al Sufouh Beach is less crowded because it’s hidden compared to others: white sand, crystal-clear water, and that’s it. Here, there is no kind of service to experience Dubai’s wild side.
To taste the world’s best street food: Singapore
The heart of the celebrations is the futuristic area of Marina Bay with its unmistakable skyline: here, you’ll find the iconic Marina Bay Sands, a complex of three buildings topped by a massive ship-shaped platform with an infinity pool at 200 meters high, and the Supertrees of Gardens by The Bay, a gigantic park where nature and technology blend into a profusion of plants and flowers of all kinds.
In the evening stands out as one of the prime times to visit, as the 18 tree-shaped structures (rising up to 50 meters high) come alive with a myriad of lights and colors. This captivating display is made possible by the energy generated from solar panels positioned at their summits.
If you don’t suffer from vertigo, get on the Singapore Flyer observation wheel to enjoy a 360-degree view of the city.
Another must-visit is the historic Raffles Hotel where you can breathe in the British colonial past of the Lion City: if you want to try something typical, order a Singapore Sling, a gin-based cocktail.
Why choose Singapore as a New Year’s travel destination? If you’re a true foodie, the city-state’s gastronomic offer is enormous and truly caters to all tastes, thanks to the numerous restaurants and venues scattered throughout the city.
The hawker centers are heaven for lovers of street food, thanks to the mix of different ethnicities and peoples: these are large indoor spaces with various stalls where you can taste specialties of all kinds.
Among the most famous, Maxwell Food Centre, with over 100 stalls, and Chinatown Food Complex that houses the world’s first street food restaurant to receive (in 2016) the Michelin star for its soy chicken: Hawker Chan.
There’s always a queue, but it’s worth the wait.
Indulge in affordable luxury: New York
It’s one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences: true, we’ve seen it over and over again in movies, TV series, social media, but can we compare it to the excitement of living the arrival of the new year in Times Square counting down together with thousands of people?
An experience, moreover, completely free; the important thing is to arrive early. If you fail to secure a spot for up-close viewing of the Ball Drop ceremony do not be disheartened. Equally exciting is watching the fireworks show from the Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park, two other iconic places in the American metropolis.
New York on New Year’s Eve provides this and much more, making it a destination that never disappoints.
Speaking of stars and affordable luxury: know that in New York, there are several Michelin-starred restaurants where you can eat without blanching at the bill. Among the less expensive ones, according to Michelin itself, there are the Spanish Casa Mono, the Korean Jeju Noodle Bar, the Indian Semma, and the fusion Tuome.
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