And happier it will certainly be. This probably is the most fabulous thought to kick start a new year. And since celebrations are in order, what could be a better means of expression than fireworks? Some amazing cities in the world pay a rather scintillating send-off to the year that has been, in the best manner possible.
New York
If you need a lengthy explanation about how New York celebrates New Year's Eve, you've probably spent your entire life in a cave. So, for all the dear cavemen, this is how New Yorkers ring in the new year, each year: New Year's Eve. Times Square. Ball Drop Ceremony. A million people.
The sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is the focus of attention in the evening.
At 11:59 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time), on December 31, the ball is lowered 77 feet (23 m) down a specially designed flagpole, as people chant the countdown to the new year in unison. As the ball drops, a shower of confetti weighing 2000 pounds rains on the Square, and a series of blazing fireworks light up the sky.
At 11:59 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time), on December 31, the ball is lowered 77 feet (23 m) down a specially designed flagpole, as people chant the countdown to the new year in unison. As the ball drops, a shower of confetti weighing 2000 pounds rains on the Square, and a series of blazing fireworks light up the sky.
Best views:
Firework displays take place all over New York; with the Grucci family fireworks lighting up the sky above the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The best viewing locations include Battery Park and Wagner Park.
Firework displays take place all over New York; with the Grucci family fireworks lighting up the sky above the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The best viewing locations include Battery Park and Wagner Park.
London
As the clock strikes 12, the Big Ben will bellow the onset of the new year with its old hat bongs. What will follow is a stunning display of pyrotechnics from the EDF Energy London Eye on the famous South Bank. The sky will light up, and you'll be blinded, but it would certainly be an unforgettable New Year's Eve.
The festivities on the South Bank, with live music will carry on until 12:45 am (yes, the Brits even time their festivities), after which you can tail a faithful ol' Londoner to a nice pub, singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Best views:
Hit South Bank by 7 or 8 p.m. at the most (with food and drinks, possibly), as the police tend to close the area once it gets too crowded.
Hit South Bank by 7 or 8 p.m. at the most (with food and drinks, possibly), as the police tend to close the area once it gets too crowded.
Sydney
With due apologies to London and New York City, there is a large section of human population which opines that the world's best New Year's Eve firework display happens at Sydney.
The iconic 'Sydney Harbour' (the Aussies do spell 'harbor' like that) sees a frenzied rush every year, with people clamoring up on every bit of space they can find.
Best views:
The Birchgrove Park is a vantage point par excellence, with a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge. The site is spacious, and allows alcohol (within limits).
The Birchgrove Park is a vantage point par excellence, with a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge. The site is spacious, and allows alcohol (within limits).
Moscow
Watch the snow-covered city of Moscow dazzle during New Year's Eve, with the party centered in the historic Red Square.
Moscow may probably be the only city in the world where the visuals of the backdrop just seem far more brilliant than the lights that shine over it. You have The Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, Saint Basil's Cathedral, and the Kazan Cathedral.
Best views:
The Red Square, without a shadow of doubt, is your best option. But if loud crowds are not your scene, you can take a stroll along the Moskva River and find a cozy spot for yourself, amidst the freezing temperature, which warrants the presence of a hip flask full of vodka. What else do you need?
The Red Square, without a shadow of doubt, is your best option. But if loud crowds are not your scene, you can take a stroll along the Moskva River and find a cozy spot for yourself, amidst the freezing temperature, which warrants the presence of a hip flask full of vodka. What else do you need?
Rio de Janeiro
Riotous, simply riotous. This is the word that best describes Rio's partying spirit.
The people of Rio are undoubtedly proud of their festivities, and why not? Don't take it the wrong way - after all, these are the people who have the most 'awesomest' (if there could be a word like that!) Carnival in the world. Copacabana is where you need to head to, for that is where the party is.
Best views:
The Copacabana Beach and the area around it holds around 2 million people on December 31st, so jostling is definitely in order. But the sheer scale of the fireworks means that you can view them from any of the bylanes leading up to Copacabana. Alternatively, there are quite a few cruise boats that have a midnight stopover here in order to view the fireworks.
The Copacabana Beach and the area around it holds around 2 million people on December 31st, so jostling is definitely in order. But the sheer scale of the fireworks means that you can view them from any of the bylanes leading up to Copacabana. Alternatively, there are quite a few cruise boats that have a midnight stopover here in order to view the fireworks.
Dubai
If ostentatious is what defines you, Dubai is where you should be heading.
Dubai is the city where one would even suspect that their fireworks would have showers of dripping gold and diamonds, rather than the regular sparkles. Watching fireworks from The Atlantis, The Palm, or the Burj Al Arab will cost you worth their weight in gold.
Best views:
If you cannot afford to step into the heavenly hotels, you can still watch their splendid displays from the rooftops of smaller hotels around these biggies, which host events at an affordable price. The free fireworks show happens at the Burj Khalifa, which you can view from anywhere in the downtown area.
If you cannot afford to step into the heavenly hotels, you can still watch their splendid displays from the rooftops of smaller hotels around these biggies, which host events at an affordable price. The free fireworks show happens at the Burj Khalifa, which you can view from anywhere in the downtown area.
Singapore
The world's favorite holiday destination has a great display of fireworks over the Marina Bay.
Singapore's skyline is simply magical, and with perfect balmy weather, this can be a great place to spend New Year's Eve with all your family and friends.
Best views:
The ticketed area of the Marina Bay is The Float. The free venues are numerous, surrounding the rest of the Bay, including the Merlion Park and The Promontory at Marina Bay.
The ticketed area of the Marina Bay is The Float. The free venues are numerous, surrounding the rest of the Bay, including the Merlion Park and The Promontory at Marina Bay.
Barcelona
Firework displays in Barcelona are the best unofficial displays in the world.
The sparkling festivities in Barcelona don't really have a specific venue, or even a specific sponsor, but they are quite dazzling nevertheless.
Best views:
The tradition here dictates that one should eat 12 grapes at midnight, one on each chime of the clock. Thousands of people head to Plaça de Catalunya to perform this ritual and soak up the atmosphere. The Torre Agbar in Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes have a fabulous show of fireworks, as do some of the hotels that line the Barceloneta Beach.
The tradition here dictates that one should eat 12 grapes at midnight, one on each chime of the clock. Thousands of people head to Plaça de Catalunya to perform this ritual and soak up the atmosphere. The Torre Agbar in Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes have a fabulous show of fireworks, as do some of the hotels that line the Barceloneta Beach.
Bangkok
While Bangkok may have several *cough* earthly delights *cough* to offer you on New Year's Eve, their firework displays also are one of them.
Bangkok has some of the world's most dazzling display of fireworks. The CentralWorld shopping plaza is the hub of activity here.
Best views:
The CentralWorld Square sees a lot of people gather on New Year's Eve to witness the classic display of fireworks. And there's more―they also have a large TV screen that beams the best NYE events from all across the globe, as they happen.
The CentralWorld Square sees a lot of people gather on New Year's Eve to witness the classic display of fireworks. And there's more―they also have a large TV screen that beams the best NYE events from all across the globe, as they happen.
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh's Hogmanay is the largest new year party in the world, seeing as it goes on for a full three days.
The Street Party in Edinburgh is enormously popular, so don't expect a welcome if you waltz in at, say, post-11 in the night. The best part about the festivities here is that unlike other cities, there are smashing firework displays at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m., and of course at midnight.
Best views:
Below the Edinburgh Castle is where you want to be, as the crackers explode just above you. If a long range view is what you're looking for, Calton Hill is a good option.
Below the Edinburgh Castle is where you want to be, as the crackers explode just above you. If a long range view is what you're looking for, Calton Hill is a good option.
So at the stroke of midnight this New Year's Eve, get tipsy, kiss your beloved; and we hope to bump into you at one of the destinations mentioned above.
