USA TODAY International Edition
Send the old year out with the bang of fireworks
For centuries, people have greeted the new year with fireworks and explosions. Traditionally, they were seen as a way to scare off evil spirits and bring good luck, but now New Year's Eve fireworks are an excuse for a final holiday season blowout. The feeling is much different from a Fourth of July show, but just as appealing, says Calvin Iverson of TravelPirates.com, a curated travel deals site/app. “It's a unique time of year. People are feeling togetherness, and want to go out and celebrate.” He shares some favorites.
Anchorage, Alaska
The state's largest city has big plans to welcome 2019 with street performers and 3D light projections, culminating with fireworks at 8 p.m. local time, just when the new year reaches the East Coast. “New Year's is when Anchorage really shines,” Iverson says. anchorage.net
Meredith, New Hampshire
New Englanders love Lake Winnipesaukee as a popular summer getaway – late-night host Jimmy Fallon even named his daughter Winne after the spot – but they also come out for the holidays.
The small town of Meredith launches fireworks from a lake barge between 10:30 and 11 p.m. “The whole town gets in on the festivities,” Iverson says. meredithareachamber.com
New Orleans
The Crescent City may party all year long, but New Year's is special. Crowds gather on the riverfront to see the city symbol, a fleur-de-lis, drop at midnight. And then fireworks launch over the Mississippi River. One favored viewing spot is aboard the historic Steamboat Natchez. “There are so many places to watch over the river, but being in a steamboat is really cool – a New Orleans experience,” Iverson says. neworleans.com
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Skiers can spend the day on the slopes and then watch the sky light up at area resorts. Squaw Valley packs in the fun with music, glow-stick games and what they hope will be the world's largest torchlight ski parade down its 3.2mile Mountain Run. There also is an East Coast ball drop party, followed by fireworks. “Tahoe is amazing any time of year, but especially in winter,” Iverson says. squawalpine.com
Boston
For decades, Boston has welcomed the New Year with First Night, a festival featuring family-friendly performances and activities around the city. It culminates at midnight with fireworks over Boston Harbor. “There are all kinds of places you can watch the display, and tons and tons of people. The city really comes alive at an hour you wouldn't expect it to,” Iverson says. bostonusa.com
San Francisco
Head down to the Embarcadero on New Year's to witness a splashy display over San Francisco Bay. The show, launched form a barge south of the Ferry Building, is synced to music and includes new pyrotechnic flourishes every year. Or you catch the performance from a sightseeing boat. “I love that you can go out on the water, cruise around Alcatraz, and watch the lights,” Iverson says. sftravel.com
Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
While there are nightly fireworks at Disney World, the theme park welcomes New Year's with a bang. At Epcot Center, visitors can celebrate at each country's pavilion when their home clock strikes midnight, and then live it up on East Coast time with fireworks around the World Showcase.
Over in the Magic Kingdom park, a kid-friendly fireworks show in front of the Cinderella Castle starts just after dark, followed by another show at midnight. “The more celebrations, the better,” Iverson says. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Nashville, Tennessee
There's no shortage of entertainment on Dec. 31 in Nashville with free performances by Keith Urban, Peter Frampton, Judah & the Lion, and others at Jack Daniel's Music City Midnight. Then, as 2019 approaches, all attention turns to an illuminated music note that drops to welcome the new year, followed by fireworks. “What a town! It's so much fun there,” Iverson says. visitmusiccity.com
Niagara Falls, New York/Canada
Whichever side of the border you choose to celebrate, there are plenty of fireworks in the air at Niagara's cascade. Nightly shows are offered through Dec. 31, and then continue every Friday night until Jan. 31. New Year's has two displays: at 9 p.m. and midnight. niagarafallsusa.com and niagaraparks.com
Honolulu
The last U.S. state to celebrate New Year's does it with a bang. The action starts on Waikiki Beach at 11:55 p.m., and one pyrotechnic display every minute. The fireworks appear as palm trees and other state shapes. gohawaii.com