Travel Guide: New Year's Eve Around the Globe

As Earth spins listlessly through space, the silence in the stars knows nothing of the celebrations and festivities here as we mark a full rotation around the sun. The end of the year brings reflection and curiosity as we celebrate our successes, forgive our shortcomings, and make plans to be a better us in the new year. In New York City, the famous ball drops above Times Square before the crowd swells with 'Old Lang Syne' signaling a new day. In Dubai, the fireworks will fall around the Burj Khalifa, and in London, the Thames will glisten with the light display set against the old city. 

Beyond these iconic scenes lie unique celebrations that mark the New Year in ways rooted in history, tradition, and the spirit of place. This year, our journey takes us to Sydney Harbor, the lively streets of Edinburgh, and the jazz-filled heart of New Orleans, where each city brings its magic to the start of a new year.

Bourbon Street, New orleans. Photo Credit: HOLGS, iStock / Getty Images Plus

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America

The Big Easy is an easy choice for people who want to celebrate the new year in milder temperatures, navigable central party districts like Bourbon Street, and the charm of a classic American city steeped in European influence. This New Year's Eve destination should also be the choice of college football fans as the city hosts the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1, with pre-game events and parades happening on New Year's Eve.

During the holiday, New Orleans' restaurants revive a unique Creole tradition with their Réveillon menus. Originally, Réveillon dinners were lavish family meals held in the early hours after midnight mass to end the daylong fast before Christmas. While modern Réveillon dinners are now enjoyed in top-tier restaurants at regular dining hours, they retain their festive spirit with creative menus that honor classic Creole flavors, making them a memorable treat for locals and visitors alike. Osteria Lupo was the standout choice in 2023, with reservations offered at the traditional 2 AM start time.

The main event happens at Jackson Square, where the iconic Fleur De Lis drops instead of a ball, and 'Auld Lang Syne' has a saxophone part. Even after midnight, the fun doesn't stop with live music all over the city, with the highlights happening on Frenchman Street.

For a luxurious and restful sleep after celebrating the night away, the area near Frenchman Street is also home to the premier Hotel Peter & Paul. Located in the bohemian Marigny neighborhood, Hotel Peter & Paul occupies a former 19th-century Catholic church, school, convent, and rectory, thoughtfully transformed by the design team at Ash NYC. Known for turning historic buildings into destination hotels, Ash NYC infuses each communal space with a theatrical charm that invites guests to settle in with a chicory coffee or Sazerac and soak in the creative ambiance.

A stay at Hotel Peter & Paul captures the romance of New Orleans' past with just the right touch of reverence, making it as intriguing as it is inviting.

view of the Edinburgh City from the Calton Hill lookout. PHoto Credit: Gavin Guan, iStock / Getty Images Plus

Edinburgh, Scotland

As the final days of December descend and the sun skims the horizon through the day, the Scottish capital brims with a spirit unlike any other. In Edinburgh, New Year's Eve is more than just a night; it's Hogmanay—a celebration filled with fire-lit streets, ancient traditions, and a citywide unity that welcomes the new year with open arms.

Edinburgh New Year's Fireworks. Photo Credit: ChrisHepburn, iStock / Getty Images Plus

Join the revelry as bagpipes bounce off the cobblestone streets and strangers link arms for "Auld Lang Syne," and a Scottish blessing ushers in good fortune: Lang may yer lum reek—long may your chimney smoke. In Edinburgh, you're not just watching the year turn; you're part of a cultural legacy that makes every second count.

Hogmanay spans several days, from December 31 to January 2, and includes distinctive Scottish customs. Edinburgh's Hogmanay begins with the Torchlight Procession through Old Town, where thousands parade through the streets with flaming torches, marking the end of the old year. Traditional customs like "first footing" see neighbors bringing symbolic gifts, often a drink or coal, into each other's homes, symbolizing good fortune for the coming year. Midnight culminates with a massive fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle.

For an unforgettable start to New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh, a dining experience at Lyla sets the tone with elegance and creativity. Known for its exceptional tasting menu crafted by renowned chef Stuart Ralston, Lyla’s dishes are masterpieces in miniature, each bite bursting with unexpected flavors. Starting with delicate canapés that melt in your mouth, followed by rich umami custard and perfectly tender wagyu accompanied by crispy onions and pickled walnut, Lyla will please the palate and leave you ready for the night ahead.

The celebrations extend beyond the countdown, with January 1 marking the "Loony Dook," where brave souls take a chilly dip in the Firth of Forth, often donning costumes and raising money for charity. For those seeking a quieter experience, surrounding towns like Stonehaven host unique Hogmanay events, such as the Fireball Festival, where locals swing blazing fireballs to honor the old and welcome the new. Edinburgh is a prime destination for Hogmanay. However, you should plan carefully due to limited transport, early business closures, and the bustling crowds that make this Scottish tradition a remarkable experience.

Rest and recovery are within the proximity of the celebration at Edinburgh Castle. After reveling in Hogmanay, retreating to The Balmoral Hotel is the right call. The iconic hotel offers a sanctuary of luxury and Scottish charm, perfectly blending modern comfort with historic elegance. In the morning or afternoon, depending on how late you stay up, savor a hearty Scottish breakfast with views of Edinburgh Castle, or rejuvenate at the hotel’s spa.

Fireworks display is seen over the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve celebrations. Photo Credit: Wendell Teodoro / Stringer, Getty Images News

Sydney, Australia

In the southern hemisphere, few experiences on New Year's Eve compare to what unfolds in Sydney.

Beginning in 1976, the Sydney fireworks show has grown into a spectacle, requiring a budget of $7 million, 15 months of planning, and eight tons of pyrotechnics. Each year, Sydney hosts two stunning firework displays: a family-friendly show at 9 p.m. and the main event at midnight, with fireworks launched from both sides of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House.

There’s one reservation you’ll want to get in Sydney above all else to fuel your NYE activities, and that’s Firedoor. The iconic restaurant redefines dining by relying solely on open flames to bring out the purest, most intense flavors from local ingredients. Securing a spot at Firedoor is no easy feat—reservations open three months in advance and book out quickly, with eager diners queuing online to experience the menu.

Firedoor offers dishes like perfectly charred fish, tender wagyu, and seasonal vegetables transformed by varying intensities of smoke and heat. There’s no reliance on modern gadgets here, just the chef, the ingredients, and the flames. From layered cooking techniques using different wood varieties to his focus on direct flame and ember cooking, the methods result in flavors that are as bold as they are unforgettable.

For the best views, spectators can head to one of Sydney’s 42 designated vantage points, including Bradfield Park, Barangaroo Reserve, and Blues Point on the north side of The Rocks, Darling Harbour, and Mrs. Macquarie’s Point on the south. The city has developed a NYE website for visitors to map out their routes. Circular Quay remains the most popular spot, reaching capacity hours before midnight.

Aerial of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. PHoto Credit: Peter Harrison, Stone / Getty Images

With the harbor being the focal point of the festivities and sights, there’s only one place to stay in Sydney. The Park Hyatt Sydney offers an unparalleled New Year's Eve experience, placing you at the heart of the city's iconic celebrations. Book a harbor view room for front-row seats to the spectacular fireworks over the Harbor Bridge and Opera House. The hotel boasts spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, ensuring breathtaking views of the festivities.

After the excitement of New Year's Eve, you’ll be thankful for The Spa at Park Hyatt Sydney. After the long night and in preparation for the long year ahead, a range of holistic treatments designed to refresh and revitalize are readily available. With five private treatment rooms, a relaxation area, a steam room, an outdoor whirlpool, and a fully equipped gymnasium, The Spa provides the perfect retreat to unwind and start the new year feeling renewed.

Returning Flight

Whether you choose to celebrate in New Orleans, Edinburgh, or Sydney, there’s no easier way to travel than with Air Charter Guide as your companion.

Air Charter Guide provides comprehensive and up-to-date flight booking information for those traveling to these beacons of celebration, ensuring your NYE journey is as seamless and joyful as the experience waiting for you.