Amazing fireworks: The 9 best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve

Whether you’re into confetti or a romantic midnight on the harbor, Asia can always offer the most amazing fireworks! Be mesmerized by the magical light shows in Australia and the UAE or party it up in Thailand and Indonesia. If you are no longer into wild parties, then you can try a traditional New Year’s Eve in Japan or Korea. No matter how you welcome the new year, Agoda wishes you a safe journey and a pleasant stay!

1. SINGAPORE

Jump into the new year from one of the world’s most beautiful harbor districts! The most popular New Year’s party in Singapore takes place at Marina Bay, where thousands gather to admire the fantastic fireworks display high above the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer . People who prefer to ring in the New Year from an outdoor restaurant or local pub can head to Clarke Quay , Padang City Hall and Benjamin Sheares Bridge , which offer beautiful views in a tranquil setting. Partygoers can go cucumber in Labrador Park and on Siloso Beach , where the midnight bell not only welcomes the new year, but also kicks off a 12-hour beach party.

2. HONG KONG

On New Year’s Eve, Hong Kong’s beautiful New Year’s show takes the place of shooting stars over Victoria Harbour . Have dinner in a skyscraper with a view of the harbor and the many rooftops that light up every 15 minutes from 23:00. When the clock strikes 12, the entire harbor is bathed in a symphony of magical light. Enjoy a glass of champagne from the waterfront or take the evening to a new level and sail among the lights on a traditional junk boat in the middle of Victoria Harbour!

3. DUBAI

Celebrate the New Year at the world’s tallest building! The entertainment starts at 20:00 in the center of Dubai not far from the Dubai Burj Khalifa Tour. Thousands gather for the annual celebration, which includes live music, displays and lots of dancing in the streets. At midnight, a beautiful light show begins from the top of the 828 meter high building, which can be seen all over the city. If a party downtown doesn’t sound appealing, you can enjoy the show from the roof of a hotel or a blanket at Sunset Beach or Kite Beach .

4. KOH PHANGAN, Thailand

Ring in the New Year from Koh Phangan’s world-famous Full Moon Party. Officially, it takes place on New Year’s Eve, but according to locals and connoisseurs, it can easily be extended into a three-day intense beach party! You can expect endless amounts of alcohol, international DJs and more luminescent beach bodies than you’ve ever seen before!

5. BALI, Indonesia

Don’t count on being able to take off your party hat if you want to celebrate the New Year with the locals in Bali. Starting in the afternoon, you can join the locals in Puputan Badung Square to watch a parade and join in the festivities that take place until midnight, when the fireworks go off. While some want to stay in the square all day, others want to head to Kuta Beach , where the party starts in the evening and lasts well into the New Year!

6. GOA, India

If you’ve never considered celebrating New Year on the west coast of India, now might be the time! With warm weather all year round and an endless coastline, Anjuna Beach is the best place to dance barefoot in the sand to “Auld Lang Syne” with the locals. Join a bang of a New Year’s party at one of the many beach hotels and restaurants or buy your own alcohol and enjoy the evening by the water’s edge!

7. TOKYO, Japan

Ring in the New Year from one of Tokyo’s many temples during Joya No Kane. Every year at midnight, the bells in the city’s temples ring 108 times to symbolize freedom from earthly temptations, so that one can enter the new year with a clear mind. Try ringing the bell yourself at Zojoji Temple or Asakusa Sensoji Temple , but arrive early as tickets for this popular tradition are limited. Annual fireworks shows are always popular and can be seen at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Tower , but traditionally many locals prefer to just relax and watch TV! An evening on the couch while watching the ball drop on Kohaku Uta Gassen provides a good rest before Hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year. Join the locals at Mount Takaoto try a New Year’s Day out of the ordinary.

8. SYDNEY, Australia

More than a million people head to Sydney Harbor to welcome the New Year. The annual celebration starts at 18:00 with displays both in the air and on the water, followed by an exciting cultural display. At At 21:00 a family show starts for children who cannot join the midnight festivities. Beautiful ships pass in the harbor until 12 o’clock, when a fantastic pyrotechnic prodigy lights up the Harbor Bridge , the Opera House and seven barges located in the harbor for this annual event.

9. SEOUL, South Korea

Of course, Seoul also celebrates New Year’s Eve in style. You can find the best parties in pubs and restaurants in Hongdae , Olympic Park and Gangnam , but if you want a more traditional Korean New Year, you must meet the first light of the sunrise. Whether you go to bed early or stay up all night, the best place to see the lights is at the Homigot Sunrise Festival on Pohang Beach , four hours east of Seoul.

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