TOP 10 New Year cities
See in 2019 with a bang in one of these fabulous cities – they sure know how to put on a show...
1 LONDON, THE EMBANKMENT Trafalgar Square used to be the place to be for the capital’s New Year’s Eve celebrations but since the extravaganza over the Thames that welcomed in the millennium, it has been usurped by the Embankment around the London Eye. And it’s proved so popular that, since 2014, to be close to the action you need to book a ticket to the UK’S biggest annual pyrotechnics display (tickets normally released in September and November go like hot cakes). The dazzling show of some 12,000 fireworks choreographed to music will start when Big Ben’s bongs ring out on the stroke of midnight, and last for around 10 minutes. Except for special occasions, the iconic clock has been silenced since the start of a four-year restoration programme last year. visitlondon.com
2 SYDNEY One of the first cities to greet the New Year, the New South Wales capital takes full advantage of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge which plays a starring role in a dazzling display of pyrotechnic wizardry, along with the famous Opera House. The city pulls out all the stops with water and light shows, enlisting the illuminated barges in the harbour in a visual feast that attracts 1.5 million spectators. sydneynewyearseve.com
3 EDINBURGH The Scottish capital knows how to throw a great Hogmanay. The threeday festival kicks off on December 30 with the Torchlight Procession, as thousands of marchers light up the streets of the Old Town. New Year’s Eve sees the world’s longest and best street party, with performances from DJS, acrobats and fire eaters. West Princes Street Gardens will take centre stage for the Concert in the Gardens, with top bands. As the witching hour approaches, get ready to join hands to ring in the New Year with a rousing rendering of Auld Lang Syne as all eyes turn to Edinburgh Castle, the backdrop for the splendid fireworks display. edinburghshogmanay.com
4 HONG KONG You can be sure the display along Victoria Harbour will go with a bang – fireworks
have featured in festivals and big events in China since the invention of gunpowder in the 9th century, when firecrackers were employed to ward off evil spirits. The free event starts with a series of small fireworks shows launched from some of Hong Kong’s iconic skyscrapers in the hour before the start of the New Year. The first stroke of midnight will be the signal for tens of thousands of fireworks to fill the sky over Victoria Harbour, fired from barges and rooftops for a glittering 10-minute display. discoverhongkong.com
5 NEW YORK, TIMES SQUARE
Around a million people are expected to be in Manhattan to enjoy the historic ball drop at Times Square, where revellers have been greeting the New Year since 1907. Tourists will mingle with residents as the glitter ball, weighing in at 11,875lb, will begin its descent from a flagpole at the top of the Tower at One Times Square at 11.59pm. Covered in 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles, it creates a stunning kaleidoscope effect. Over a ton of confetti will be scattered over Times Square. nycgo.com
6 BERLIN
With a buzzing nightlife and cool club scene, the hip German capital lives up to its reputation as Europe’s party city on New Year’s Eve. See out the old year along the Strasse des 17 Juni, the party mile of live music, DJ sets and light and laser shows, stretching from the famous Brandenburg Gate to the Victory Column, with a pyrotechnics display at midnight. And, like with all great parties, be prepared for celebrations to continue well into the early hours. visitberlin.de
7 THAILAND
Crowds gather from early evening in the square outside Bangkok’s Central World shopping mall to bag a good spot to watch the spectacular fireworks compete with the stores’ vast neon lights. For a more traditional celebration head to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand where thousands crowd into the public square at Tha Pae Gate, formerly a fortress in the Old City, for the countdown party. They’ll be entertained by music from live local bands before ushering in the New Year by releasing some 10,000 candle-lit lanterns into the night sky. uk.tourismthailand.org
8 DUBAI
The UAE city is home to the world’s tallest building, so it’s no wonder the 2,722ft Burj Khalifa hogs the limelight in the desert city’s legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks, lasers and lights extravaganza. Join spectators at the foot of the Burj Kahlifa where the Dubai Fountains will be putting on aquatic performances choreographed to music. Or head to the Burj Plaza, a popular spot for families to watch the