New Year's Eve Traditions: Celebrating Around the World

Some of my favorite memories growing up were New Year's parties. Everyone was always so happy. Music was blasting, and an abundance of food was served (and drinks, although I was too young to drink at that time). Thousands of people wearing white at the beach, and at midnight, the most amazing fireworks show. The party didn't stop at midnight; it was just getting started! After eating our 12 grapes and hugging and kissing all of our friends and family, we would head to the beach to offer flowers to the Goddess of the Sea, Iemanja.

The cold sand under my bare feet, walking towards the ocean waves to place the flower offerings, under the post-fireworks fog, greeting all the joyful strangers along the way with "Feliz Ano Novo" (Happy New Year) are etched deep in my most cherished memories. These New Year's Eve celebrations took place at a penthouse suite in a boutique hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that doesn't even exist anymore called the Luxor Regente.

Celebrating New Year's Around the World

Throughout the years, we have spent New Year's in several different cities. Magical New York City is one of them. We watched the infamous Ball Drop in Times Square once, but once was enough for us. We have celebrated in various cities worldwide, including London, Madrid, Las Vegas, Buenos Aires, Paris, and Cancun. However, lately, our New Year's celebration of choice has become a Caribbean cruise.

Cruises are our current favorite because they are the best option for our multi-generational family, which includes children to grandparents. Plus, it has the party included! Easy and fun.

In this post, I will discuss my top 5 favorite New Year's trip celebrations. Any destination you choose, whether from the list or not, will be an amazing experience for sure!

Destination 1: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city)

This one tops my list, not only for the memories I have growing up but because it is one of the most extravagant New Year's parties worldwide. Brazil's culture oozes into its celebrations, and New Year's Eve is one of the biggest parties of the year. It is full of superstitious, euphoric people saying farewell to the year and embracing the future and new opportunities of the one ahead.

The best place to have the full experience is Copacabana Beach. The car access to the beach is closed off by the late afternoon or early evening on December 31st in anticipation of the millions of people gathering in the area for the night. There are several stages set up throughout the miles-long beach, with artists from various regions in Brazil performing to kick off the party! Then, at midnight, the most spectacular fireworks show lights up the sky with over 35,000 fireworks.

If you go, be sure to wear white. Brazilians are superstitious, and wearing white is a tradition to symbolize peace, a clean slate, and good luck for the New Year. If you are against the thought of wearing white, you can wear yellow, gold, or silver—just don't wear black! Also, make sure to have 12 grapes and champagne to eat and drink as soon as the clock strikes 12 for good luck. Be sure to buy some flowers to offer Iemanja, the Goddess of the Sea, after the fireworks show in the ocean. Finally, while you are there to give Iemanja her flowers, jump 12 waves in the ocean for a final seal of a lucky 12-month year ahead.

Where to Stay

On Copacabana Beach, a beachfront hotel is preferable, but at least somewhere within walking distance to the beach. If you are not staying at a beachfront room in a hotel, you can opt for one of the restaurants along the Orla, the waterfront sidewalk, or a party at one of the beachfront hotel ballrooms or restaurants.

Destination 2: New York City, US

New York City, the city that never sleeps

This city is amazing year-round, but there is a magical twinkle around the holidays that makes it extra special. The weather is the opposite of Brazil, though—no beach days here during this time of year. But there are fun things to do in the cold, such as ice skating or drinking hot chocolate while walking through the holiday villages throughout the city.

Although the main event in the city is the Times Square ball drop, and I have been there, done that, it is not my favorite way to spend New Year's in NY. If you want to experience the iconic event, arrive early—viewing areas open at 3 PM, and it will get crowded as a million people are expected to gather to celebrate the new year together. Bundle up, too, because it will be cold! If you are lucky enough to stay at a hotel in Times Square that has a view of the ball drop, or you can get a restaurant or rooftop reservation with a view, that would be ideal and a great way to have the full experience without being out in the cold.

Alternative New Year's Eve Celebration Options

My favorite thing to do is go watch a Broadway show. Yes, due to the crowd, you may have to walk to get there, so allow extra time to arrive. After the show, make a restaurant reservation in the area or not. If not, walk to a street away from Times Square to catch a ride and enjoy a nice meal with a champagne toast at midnight. Other options include a Harbor Cruise with fireworks viewing or even a midnight run through Central Park with a pre-race dance party and fireworks display.

Where to Stay

Ideally, as mentioned before, in a hotel around Times Square. If not, then other areas I like are Midtown, around Central Park, and the Upper East Side. Any of those areas are pretty walkable to several of the main attractions throughout the city.

Destination 3: Paris, France

Paris, the city of love

Just like New York City, Paris is a magical place around the holidays. It is full of twinkling lights on the Eiffel Tower and the infamous Champs Elysee avenue. The entire city always glows, but during this time of year, it is extra special. The holiday villages around the city also give it that extra special touch.

There is so much to see and do, but on New Year's Eve specifically, the place to go is along the Champs Elysee avenue, closer to the Arc de Triomphe. Thousands of people will gather in the area for a magnificent fireworks display and music celebration. The festivities begin at 7 PM, but arrive early to get a good spot. As with the other destinations, if you can get a hotel room with a view or a restaurant with a view, that will be the best option for the night.

Alternative Celebration Options

Although my favorite option would be to find a restaurant along the Champs Elysee with or without a view, or even with a view of the Eiffel Tower, which, even though it won't have a fireworks display, will have the beautiful twinkling lights show at midnight. If not in these areas, then any restaurant to enjoy a wonderful meal and New Year's Eve midnight toast as was recommended in NYC. Alternatively, you can also take a dinner cruise along the Seine or head over to the Montmartre neighborhood for a fun celebration away from the huge crowds.

Where to Stay

As mentioned before, at a hotel with a view along the Champs Elysee or Eiffel Tower, but if not, anything in the general area of either or within walking distance. Other nice areas in Paris include Saint-Germain Pres, Le Marais, or the Latin Quarter.

Destination 4: London, UK

London, the city of dreams

Possibly one of my favorite cities in Europe. It is also a perfect mashup of New York City and Paris. Although it is not quite as lit up as those cities during the holidays, it does have the villages around the city, which helps keep the festive vibes high. The top celebration in London for New Year's Eve is the fireworks display at the London Eye. Unlike the other cities, they sell tickets for the party well in advance, so if this is what you would like to do, go online to secure your tickets as soon as possible. Or, try to secure that spot in a hotel with a view or a restaurant with a view, and you can avoid the crowds and tickets.

Alternative Options

Not to sound repetitive, but catch a show in the West End, followed by a restaurant reservation for dinner and a champagne toast. You may also check out New Year's parties in the city or a dinner cruise along the Thames River.

Where to Stay

The very best option, of course, is a hotel with a view of the London Eye for obvious reasons. Even if not with a view, stay in the general area. There are several nice neighborhoods in London, including Covent Gardens, Leicester Square, and Mayfair.

Destination 5: Caribbean Cruise

Not a city per se, but arguably a city on the sea

This is not a city, but definitely a destination. It is currently my favorite option for a New Year's celebration. My family consists of three children (currently 7, 13, 15), plus we always travel with my parents. We have begun a tradition of cruising for New Year's for the last few years. We like this option for many reasons:

1. Since we live in Miami, FL, we don't have to go to the crowded airport for a flight anywhere.

2. There is something for everyone on a cruise, from shows to kids' clubs and teen areas, so no need for additional entertainment.

3. Food (and sometimes drinks) are included with little to no additional costs to add on.

4. We always do a 7-night cruise or more, so we visit several different ports and cities throughout our trip.

5. The warm weather allows us to enjoy the pools and beaches at the different ports.

6. This is probably the main reason: we have a New Year's party set for the night, which always includes a nice dinner followed by a deck party with music and a champagne toast at midnight.

   
   

Which Cruise Lines to Choose

We have been on Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line for New Year's so far. These three options I can affirm are excellent choices for the entire family (even Holland America, because during this time of year, they are full of kids of all ages). Although I haven't been on the next cruise lines for New Year's specifically, I have been on them for cruises in general, and I am positive they will be great options as well. These include Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. A few cruise lines I have yet to travel on but would confidently recommend are Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises.

Itineraries to Choose

We like the cities in the Eastern Caribbean itineraries the most, like St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Turks and Caicos. That being said, Western Caribbean itineraries are generally less expensive, and we have enjoyed some of the locations too. However, in the case of choosing a New Year's cruise, the star of the destination is really the cruise itself, so you can't really go wrong with any itinerary in this case.

Conclusion

Whether choosing Rio for the warm weather, South American culture and fireworks, New York City for the holiday vibes and Ball drop, Paris for the beautiful lights and history, London for the London Eye and shows, or a Caribbean cruise for the ease and fun, you can't go wrong with a trip for New Year's.

Start planning early! In some instances, you can already plan for next year if this year is too close. That way, you can pay little by little and feel the financial impact less. There is still time to plan for this year, though—just get on it now. Regardless of whether you choose one of these destinations or not, even if staying in your city, find something fun to do during this special night. Something new and different because the memories you will make will last a lifetime.

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