As the year draws to a close, it's time to start planning an epic New Year's Eve celebration. Whether you prefer dazzling fireworks, buzzing street parties, or serene beachside retreats, there's a destination out there waiting to make your countdown unforgettable. To help you decide where to go, we've compiled a list of the best places to travel for New Year's Eve.
- Sydney, Australia
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Tokyo, Japan
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- New York City, United States
- Madrid, Spain
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Reykjavik, Iceland
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1. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is one of the first major cities in the world to ring in the New Year, making it a fantastic place to kick off your celebrations. More than a million attendees gather in Sydney Harbor to watch a spectacular fireworks display over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Join a boat party or reserve a table at a waterfront restaurant for a front-row seat.
Stay connected with an Australia eSIM.
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2. Edinburgh, Scotland
Partake in Edinburgh's world-famous Hogmanay, a three-day street party along the Royal Mile. The celebration includes fireworks, concerts, and Scottish dancing. It starts with a Viking-style torchlight procession on December 30 and continues through New Year's Day with a dip in the freezing Firth of Forth.
Stay connected with a Scotland eSIM.
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3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For a New Year's Eve party that goes from dusk until dawn, head to Rio de Janeiro. More than two million people dress in white for good luck and head to the legendary Copacabana beach for samba and fireworks. At midnight, join the locals as they jump over seven waves to ring in the New Year.
Stay connected with a Brazil eSIM.
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4. Tokyo, Japan
Head to Tokyo for Shōgatsu (Japanese New Year). Join the countdown at Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Crossing. Dine on toshikoshi soba, a New Year's Eve noodle dish, for good luck in the year ahead. And listen for temple bells, which ring 108 times (eight times to say goodbye to the old and 100 times to welcome the new) in the lead-up to midnight.
Stay connected with a Japan eSIM.
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5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you're after a luxurious New Year's Eve celebration, Dubai is the place to be. This vibrant city knows how to throw a party like no other. There's plenty to see and do, whether you're after exclusive yacht and beach club parties or Michelin-star dining. And Dubai goes big — at midnight, head to the Burj Khalifa for one of the world's biggest and brightest fireworks displays.
Stay connected with a UAE eSIM.
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6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
For a more serene celebration, visit Chiang Mai. On New Year's Eve, thousands of paper lanterns are released into the night sky to symbolize new beginnings and bring good luck. For the countdown, head to Tae Phae Gate, where you'll find performances, live music, street food, and fireworks.
Stay connected with a Thailand eSIM.
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7. New York City, United States
A list of the best places to visit for New Year's Eve wouldn't be complete without New York City. The Big Apple comes alive with parties, fireworks, and performances. Go to the classic ball drop in Times Square or head to Central Park, South Street Seaport, and Prospect Park for dazzling fireworks displays.
Stay connected with a United States eSIM.
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8. Madrid, Spain
If you're heading to Spain over the holidays, visit Madrid for New Year's Eve. The city's celebration takes place on the Puerta del Sol public square. Do as the locals do and eat twelve grapes at midnight — one for every toll of the Puerta del Sol bell. If you eat them all, you're in for a prosperous new year.
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9. Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia is home to one of our favorite New Year's Eve traditions. At the stroke of midnight, locals run around the block with their suitcases to ensure plenty of travel in the New Year! Cartagena is one of the best places to visit, with street parties, live music, and fireworks at Plaza del Reloj.
Stay connected with a Colombia eSIM.
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10. Reykjavik, Iceland
Our final stop is Reykjavik, Iceland. The city doesn't have an official fireworks display — instead, everyone buys their own from ICE-SAR, the national search-and-rescue unit, and lights them at midnight. Spend the next day recovering in one of the country's famous hot springs, or head to the Golden Circle to glimpse the northern lights before heading home.
Stay connected with an Iceland eSIM.
Stay Connected with Airalo
Wherever you travel for New Year's Eve, stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo. An eSIM is a tiny SIM that's embedded in your device and works 100% digitally. You can download an eSIM plan for your destination and instantly connect to a mobile network. There's no need to find a SIM card vendor, manage multiple SIMs, or worry about roaming fees.
Here are just some of the benefits of using an Airalo eSIM:
- Connect to a mobile network within minutes.
- Choose from flexible local, regional, and global data plans.
- Say goodbye to expensive roaming charges.
- Store multiple eSIM data plans on your device.
- Need more data? Top up in the Airalo app.
You're all set for a New Year's Eve adventure. Head to the Airalo store to find an eSIM for your trip!
