Let the Countdown Begin
If seeking adventure and making lifelong memories are part of your New Year’s resolutions this year, the following destinations are worth checking out! The countdown to 2019 has officially begun and in the spirit of celebration we’re taking a look at 5 cities around the world that have been renowned for throwing the biggest bashes to ring in the New Year. Make sure to check out MojoTravels to plan your 2019 vacations or to satisfy your wanderlust with our insider videos on food, hot spots, hacks, adventure, beaches and more!
#5: Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok has been credited as the most visited city in the world, drawing in roughly 22 million tourists by 2018. As you can imagine, the Big Mango knows how to throw a party, especially on New Year’s Eve. There are dozens of amazing vantage points for fireworks, including Suan Luang Rama IX, the Asiatique waterfront and the Wat Arun temple. If you want the ultimate New Year extravaganza Bangkok has to offer, though, you’ll want to gravitate towards the CentralWorld Plaza. Considered by some to be Thailand’s answer to Times Square, this massive shopping center is a favorite spot for thousands of people to count down to midnight with live entertainment, refreshments, and, of course, fireworks aplenty.
#4: Sydney, Australia
If you only get to visit Australia’s most populous city once if your life, December 31 is an idyllic time to drop in down under. New Year’s at the Sydney Harbour Bridge equals two firework displays for the price of one. For parents who want their little ones in bed before 12:00, there’s the 9pm Family Fireworks. The Midnight Fireworks show is the highlight of the evening, however, with the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and other buildings contributing to the grandiose backdrop, which looks almost like a giant birthday cake. In addition to the fireworks up above, approximately 1,100 candle fireworks are dropped from the bridge’s base to the water, creating a blazing waterfall.
#3: New York, New York
For those living in the U.S., New York is probably the first place that comes to mind when thinking about New Year’s celebrations. More specifically, Times Square is the primary stomping ground for partygoers as the year nears its conclusion. The ball that sits atop the roof of One Times Square in particular has become synonymous with the holiday. You haven’t truly experienced New Year’s until you’ve gathered around the flagpole with a million others, counting down the remaining seconds together. The years may change, but this tradition has been a mainstay since 1907. Even if you don’t live in New York, chances are you’ll tune in to watch the ball drop on television.
#2: Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Times Square also comes complete with a time ball to signify the beginning of a new year. This isn’t the only event worth attending, with live music being played in the Tsim Sha Tsui district and parties popping up all over Lan Kwai Fong. Since fireworks originated from medieval China, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hong Kong pulls out all the stops for this special occasion. The fireworks display at Victoria Harbour is unlike any other, whether you view it from a rooftop or a cruise ship. The excitement doesn’t end on December 31, as there are numerous festivities to look forward to for the Chinese New Year in February, including the annual parade.
#1: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Although there are mind-blowing New Year’s celebrations to be found all over the world, none can quite top the fireworks display in Rio. People have been assembling at Copacabana Beach since 1950, but it wasn’t until 1976 that fireworks entered the equation. Today, nearly two million spectators flock to the sandy beach for over two miles of fireworks, with the show lasting somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes. It’s also traditional to decorate the beach with candles and toss flowers into the ocean as a sign of good luck for the year ahead. For a city known for its parties, New Year’s Eve in Rio just might be wildest in terms of scale and spectacle.
Check out the video below from MojoTravels to find out our full list of the Top 10 Best Places in the World to Celebrate New Year’s Eve and leave a comment letting us know where you’ll be spending New Year’s Eve this year!
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