Did you know that more people celebrate New Year around the world than any other holiday? But, of course, that doesn’t mean that we all celebrate it in the same way. Whether its welcoming New Year with a balloon ride over the volcanic lunar landscape of Cappadocia, staying in a hotel made completely of ice in Romania, or partying on the iconic Copacabana Beach, everyone plans something special to ring the arrival of New Year, so read ahead for some of the coolest places to celebrate New Year!

Cappadocia, Turkey

Picture this, you’ve just rang in the new year sipping champagne in one of the most surreal environments out there, then as the first sunrise of the year begins to peak over the horizon you climb into one of the many hot air balloons in Cappadocia to catch it glistening rays from the sky. Slowly floating up high about the arid Cappadocia landscape, surrounded by other balloons watching the sun rise is most definitely a pinch yourself moment. Nicely capped off with a glass of bubbles upon landing. A truly memorable experience and an incredible way to start the new year.

Queenstown, New Zealand

If you are looking for where to celebrate New Year’s Eve, one of the best places to visit is Queenstown in New Zealand. Due to its geographical location (at the very edge of the world) it’s one of the first places to see the sunrise first, therefore the city is known to host the first New Year celebrations in the world! For a free new year party, head to the lakefront where one of the best parties takes place with fireworks, live music, and jaw-dropping scenic views. And don’t be fooled by the snow-capped peaks, this country is in full-blown summer during the new year, so no need to wrap up warm when heading outside for the firework display!

Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakech is simply magical all year round however it really comes to life on New Year’s Eve. Visitors are met with a sensory overload of exotic sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Fireworks, lightening ropes and carnations are spread everywhere, in the streets, houses, public places, gardens and hotels as that they welcome the new beginning of chances. Annually, all Moroccans celebrate three of the main dates in the country: The New Year’s Eve, The New Year’s Day, ”higgrea”, and Amazigh Year. This might be unusual to some, while it is a mark of excellence to others gathering one, two, three and more iconic features from numerous times in the same place. Marrakech can be combined with the stunning sand dunes of the Sahara Desert or even skiing in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco is filled with epic adventures!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro has long been crowned one of the top party cities in the world and New Year’s only solidifies that. The iconic Copacabana Beach throws the largest and the best New Years Party in the world where around 2 to 3 million people gather every year. This venue is the place to be for those looking to get the most action-packed firework display on the planet. Locals dress in white in an effort to bring luck into the New Year while spraying champagne throughout the crowds and flower petals are thrown into the ocean to pay tribute to the sea goddess Yemanja. At the end of Copacabana Beach, at the “Forte de Copacabana”, there is a giant ferris wheel that is set up for New Years as well, which is a great way to view the mayhem and throngs of people lined up all along the beach.  

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Scots sure know how to party and when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Edinburgh is the place to be. New Year’s Even is known as Hogmanay in Scotland and each year, over 100,000 people take part in the two-day celebration that involves a Viking procession, fireworks over the castle, bonfires, concerts, and a carnival. Its origins date back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings with wild parties in late December. It’s hardly surprising that the enormous Hogmanay celebration that engulfs the country is legendary the world over.

Hotel of Ice, Romania

You’ll find it hard to name a better way to ring in the new year than a once-in-a-lifetime stay at the Hotel of Ice in Transylvania! During your 4-night Ice Hotel adventure, guests can explore Bucharest and Brasov, along with visiting the Bran Castle, and on New Year’s Eve, a magical four-course candle-lit dinner is available before the countdown to the New Year. You’ll dine at an ice table, sitting on an ice chair under the beautiful, colourful lights of the Ice Hotel’s restaurant, shortly followed by a firework display, all set within the dreamy backdrop of the snow-capped Fagaras Mountains. Get your heart racing with some snow activities or simply kick back with a hot drink and just enjoy the scenery the new year has to bring.

If you’re interested in spending New Year in any of the locations above please don’t hesitate to get in contact at info@untravelledpaths.com.

Written by Lucy Kaufmann