Frankly, in order to have an extraordinary year, you need to kick it off with an extraordinary New Year’s Eve party. So we’ve done the legwork for you by taking some of the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations and flipping them around to provide an offbeat alternative…
From London to Thailand
London is a global gathering for all things New Year’s Eve, with the fireworks along on the banks of the Thames attracting over 400,000 people from around the world.
However, if you like the sound of gathering beside the water beside a large illuminated circle, then consider Thailand’s famous Full Moon Party.
Held on Koh Phangan, an island off Thailand’s south-east coast, the monthly Full Moon Party has earned itself a reputation as Asia’s biggest and most unrelenting party, with the New Year special remaining one of the island’s largest events of the year. Book ahead to avoid waking up on the beach with a Full Moon Hangover.
From NYC to Cuzco
Times Square in New York City provides one of the world’s most iconic New Year’s celebrations; but if you still want to be surrounded on all four sides by patriotic party-goers, then gather around Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.
A long night of drinking and dancing is fuelled by sporadic bursts of fireworks. Dress yourself from head to toe in yellow (yes, including your underwear), the Peruvian color for good luck, and grab a handful of (yellow) confetti to bring in the new year Peru-style.
From Sydney to Prague
Sydney’s extravagant fireworks display might lay claim to being the world’s biggest New Year’s event, but if it’s a bridge over colored water you’re aching for, then look no further than Prague.
The Czech Republic capital offers up excellent night-life throughout the year, but on New Year’s Eve you should grab a pitch along the city’s famous Charles Bridge that crosses the Vltava River, for a view of the main fireworks. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready, for spontaneous displays throughout the streets, as Praguers quench their thirst for fireworks.
From Rio de Janeiro to New Zealand
Rio’s most famous beach attracts no less than two million revelers to the hallowed sands, where people gather to honor the Goddess of the Sea, Lemanja. But if it’s a party atmosphere in the Southern Hemisphere you’re angling for, look no further than New Zealand’s Rhythm & Vines Music Festival.
Now in its 12th year, this award-winning music festival attracts 25,000 people to let loose to the sounds of some of the world’s best musicians. This year it boasts Bastille, Zane Lowe, Chet Faker and over fifty more acts. It’s a three day affair, held in Gisborne on New Zealand’s central east coast.
From Edinburgh to Japan
There’s no doubt that Edinburgh lays claim to hosting one of the world’s most traditional New Year celebrations, with its Hogmanay extravaganza. However, for an equally sentimental affair, look no further than Japan’s Oshogatsu.
Traditional New Year food from Japan
A week long celebration, aimed at purifying your environment for the year ahead — this typically involves cleaning your house, but seen as you’ll be on holiday, a quick wash behind the ears should suffice. As the clock approaches midnight, find yourself a bowl of soba noodles or a stack of mochi (rice cakes), and a temple, and you’ll be deep within one of Japan’s most anticipated festivals.
Where will you be heading this New Year’s Eve?
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