How you celebrate New Year's Eve is how you will spend the rest of the year, according to popular belief. Do you want 2024 to be full of vivid emotions and adventures? Then go abroad to listen to the chimes! Snowy Finland or hot Egypt, bohemian Paris or party-loving London — there is a celebration option for everyone. This will make the magical night from December 31 to January 1 truly unforgettable. We have selected the 10 best countries to celebrate New Year abroad.
Czech Republic
Prague traditionally tops the list of the most atmospheric winter cities. Of course, Christmas is considered the main holiday by the Czechs, but they also love New Year's Eve. In December, the city becomes like something out of a fairy tale — medieval castles and cobbled streets are covered with garlands, and colorful fir trees appear in pubs and bars. All this creates an amazing atmosphere!
On New Year's Eve, the main action will take place in the city center—on Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. Residents and visitors traditionally gather there to enjoy local beer or a glass of svařák (Czech mulled wine) in pleasant, cheerful company. Local restaurants offer hearty Czech New Year's Eve dinners to accompany the drinks. It is worth walking around the entire Old Town to enjoy the beauty of Prague's historical monuments — the Powder Tower, Old Town Hall, the famous astronomical clock, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and Charles Bridge.
We'll tell you what other places you definitely need to see in Prague here. We have compiled a list of the best historical attractions in this article.
However, be prepared for the fact that it is not customary to celebrate until morning in the Czech Republic — after 1 a.m., the streets quickly empty as locals go home to rest.
France
Just a few words to motivate you to choose Paris for New Year's Eve — the festive lights on the Eiffel Tower! This incredible sculpture is beautiful at any time of the year, but in winter its illumination is especially beautiful. Not only the tower, but the entire city is enveloped in a multicolored glow of lights in December. Snow is rare here, so in some places you can see its artificial counterpart used as decoration, but at least you won't have to worry about getting cold!
On New Year's Eve, most people gather on the Champs-Élysées, where there is a huge party atmosphere. Everyone is dressed up, offering champagne to friends, dancing, and having fun. For the romantics, there's a cruise on the Seine with live music or a cozy evening at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants — they stay open until morning on this night. By the way, here are a couple of ideasof things to see in the French capital.
UK
Another European country on our list—and there are reasons for that too. On the night of December 31 to January 1, more than 250,000 people gather on the banks of the Thames to see with their own eyes how the huge hands of Big Ben count down the last seconds of the passing year. Immediately afterwards, there is a spectacular fireworks display that lasts up to half an hour. Life hack: the best place to watch it is from a boat during a cruise on the Thames.
The main festivities will take place in Trafalgar Square, where there will be dancing, traditional sweets, and fun contests. And, of course, the country's main Christmas tree! For party lovers, hundreds of pubs are open, where amazing groups of locals and tourists gather. The oldest of them are described here.
On the morning of January 1, you can head to Hyde Park or take part in the annual London New Year's Day Parade through the streets of the West End. Dozens of bands and cheerleaders, street performers, London borough leaders, vintage cars—all of these are an important part of the celebration.
Egypt
If you are tired of the cold and snow, swap winter for summer and head to Egypt. The locals don't celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31, but they do organize a variety of entertainment for tourists. Christmas trees are rare here, but palm trees decorated with garlands are a common sight. You'll also be surprised to see Santa Clauses walking along the beach.
Most of the festive events are held in hotels or clubs — these are standard parties with music, drinks, and contests. But the main feature of such celebrations is, of course, the opportunity to swim in the sea at any time! Read on to find out what you definitely need to see before the new year arrives. here.
Thailand
Another interesting option for a hot celebration in every sense of the word is Thailand. In fact, this country celebrates New Year three times: the traditional Thai New Year in April (Songkran), the Chinese New Year in February, and the European New Year from December 31 to January 3.
These days, some tourists gather in Bangkok in front of the Central World Trade Center. Concerts are held here, performances are staged, and souvenirs are sold.
Another chooses the famous Koacan Road. It is the perfect place for all partygoers. Alcohol flows freely, local vendors offer exotic dishes, and people around speak a hundred languages. There is also a clock here that counts down the last seconds of the passing year — a huge dial is installed in the center of the street. People celebrate here until the morning, having fun and making noise.
A more peaceful option that will be of interest to tourists is a trip to Buddhist temples on holidays. Locals leave offerings and give alms to monks, bringing food and fruit to appease the higher powers. Visitors can do this too.
Please note that you will need a visa to travel to Thailand. To find out how to apply for one, read here.
Finland
Let's go back to winter! Finland is perfect for those who are not ready for big changes — the people of this country celebrate New Year's Eve in a way that is very similar to the CIS countries. In December, Helsinki turns into a cozy city, lit up with lights and decorated with snow-covered fir trees. By the way, you can explored in a day.
All the celebrations on the night of December 31 to January 1 take place on Senate Square, where you can enjoy a traditional concert, fireworks, and the best restaurants nearby. However, on January 1, practically nothing will be open, so it's best to stock up on everything you need in advance.
But you can only experience a real New Year's fairy tale by leaving the capital, or more precisely, by visiting Santa Claus Village or Joulupukki. It is located near the city of Rovaniemi in the province of Lapland — this is the place considered to be the birthplace of the main winter wizard.
Essentially, it is a huge amusement park that will delight not only children but also adults. An Arctic zoo, dog and reindeer farms, encounters with elves, rides, shows, and fun games—all this is included in the entertainment program.
Denmark
This list would not be complete without the homeland of the greatest winter storyteller. The story of the Snow Queen has touched the hearts of many, and the city where Kai and Gerda lived could well have been Copenhagen. The bright houses on the Nyhavn waterfront inspire such thoughts. They are especially beautiful during the holiday season, decorated with sparkling lights. The main festivities will take place on Town Hall Square. Everything here is more or less traditional — cozy cafes, performances by musicians and artists.
But you should definitely visit Tivoli Gardens to visit the Christmas market, try traditional treats such as candied roasted almonds, go ice skating, and visit the amusement park. It has been operating since 1843, and one of the central carousels is over 150 years old! All together, it looks like an illustration from the most magical fairy tales. We'll tell you what else is interesting to see in Denmark here.
Austria
It is impossible to imagine this country without Christmas markets. They are held in the main squares of all major cities. Christmas tree decorations, candles, handmade souvenirs, and delicious food all create an incredible atmosphere. In Vienna, it takes place on Rathausplatz. This is also where the New Year's Trail begins — a traditional festive route for visitors and residents of the city through the streets of the Old Town, 2 kilometers long. Here, numerous establishments offer tourists hot punch and snacks, while folk music plays and people celebrate.
In the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve, many cities in Austria host colorful carnivals. Participants dress up in costumes of Christmas spirits, traditional characters from Austrian and German folklore. Seeing such a parade with your own eyes is incredibly interesting.
And, of course, we mustn't forget the many ski resorts in Austria. You can stay in large hotels with professional slopes, or you can rent small cottages in the mountains and celebrate with family or friends. Either way, you will remember this New Year's Eve forever, surrounded by snow-capped peaks under a starry sky.
Iceland
The main feature of New Year's Eve in Icelandic cities is the fireworks festivals, which begin an hour before midnight. Hundreds of light figures illuminate the dark sky, turning the celebration into a bright fairy tale. All the locals gather to watch. And after midnight, they head to bars and restaurants. The plan is to drink, eat, and dance, because a popular belief in this country says that the more noise there is, the happier the new year will be.
U.S.
The United States rounds out our list, and there's plenty to do here. If you want a snowy New Year's Eve, head to Alaska, while Miami offers hot celebrations. In New York, Manhattan is considered the meeting place for all revelers. One of its streets has been hosting an unusual event for over 100 years: every year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m., a ball begins to descend from a height of 23 meters on a special flagpole, reaching the bottom at exactly midnight. We have collected even more interesting sights of Manhattan here.
To celebrate midnight, locals and tourists choose from numerous entertainment venues—theaters, nightclubs, restaurants, and casinos. In large cities such as New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, parties last until morning, with people walking the streets, dancing, and getting to know each other. And for the hardiest, festive parades are held on the morning of January 1. The most fun and largest of these is the New Year's Day parade in Times Square.
