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1. New York, USA
Where to stay:
- Margaritaville Resort Times Square
- Wyndham Garden Brooklyn Sunset Park
- Distrikt Hotel New York City, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Times Square is one of the most iconic spots to ring in the New Year. The annual ball drop, which has been going strong since 1907, brings almost a million people to the city’s most iconic block and is televised globally. The city adopts a party atmosphere with tourists and locals alike arriving in Times Square throughout the morning and afternoon to secure the best viewing spots.
If your clients are looking for a quieter celebration, there’s plenty to explore throughout New York. Several firework displays are organized throughout the city center, with some of the best viewing spots including New York Harbor and even Brooklyn for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle. Partygoers can ring in 2026 at any of Manhattan’s top bars and restaurants, with most rooftop venues offering fireworks viewings and live entertainment.
The city adopts a party atmosphere with tourists and locals alike arriving in Times Square throughout the morning and afternoon to secure the best viewing spots.
Photo by Ryan Rahman on Shutterstock
2. Sydney, Australia
Where to stay:
- Mercure Sydney
- PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney
- Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
Head down under and be amongst the first to ring in 2026 with a vacation to Sydney, Australia. As one of the first major cities to ring in the New Year, Sydney’s annual fireworks parade is seen by an estimated 400 million people annually and occurs against the backdrop of iconic monuments, like Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Many of the nearby bars and restaurants host ticketed events to get the best viewing spots, and luxury travelers can even opt for a dinner cruise to get even closer to the fireworks. Your clients will want to plan early, whether they’re grabbing an open spot or attending a ticketed event, as Sydney welcomes an estimated 1.5 million tourists on New Year’s Eve.
Luxury travelers can even opt for a dinner cruise to get even closer to the fireworks.
Photo by blues4ever on Shutterstock
3. Bangkok, Thailand
Where to stay:
Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations anywhere in the world, attracting everyone from budget backpackers to luxury travelers searching for their own “White Lotus” experience. Expect a loud party atmosphere in Bangkok with most celebrations focusing around CentralWorld, the city’s equivalent of NY’s Times Square. There’s no shortage of firework displays, cultural festivities, and events held at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants along the Chao Phraya River. If your clients are adventurous, they can even sample the best Thai cuisine with a river cruise.
Clients who want to escape the city crowds can head to Nagaraphirom Park to see the fireworks as they illuminate the night sky above the famous Wat Arun temple. Cinephiles will want to pay a visit to the Sky Bar, made famous by the movie “The Hangover,” and take in the views of Bangkok’s unforgettable skyline.
Those who want to immerse themselves in the local culture can visit Wat Arun temple over the festive season to light a lantern or set their intentions through prayers for the year to come.
Clients who want to escape the city crowds can head to Nagaraphirom Park to see the fireworks as they illuminate the night sky above the famous Wat Arun temple.
Photo by Gamjai on Shutterstock
4. Paris, France
Where to stay:
There’s never a bad time to visit Paris, and the City of Lovers is the perfect spot for a romantic New Year’s getaway. Like many cities on this list, your clients can immerse themselves in the celebrations with a dinner cruise along the River Seine or pack a picnic and find a spot to watch the fireworks as they illuminate the night sky around the dazzling Eiffel Tower.
Many of the city’s upscale restaurants offer special menus, and it’s the perfect choice for travelers who want to ring in the New Year with a cabaret show. You’ll find a lively, bohemian atmosphere in popular Parisian neighborhoods, such as Montmartre. Thrill seekers can expand their Paris itinerary with a trip to Disneyland, taking the RER A train directly from the city to the front door of the theme park in just 35 minutes.
There’s never a bad time to visit Paris, and the City of Lovers is the perfect spot for a romantic New Year’s getaway.
Photo by Andrea Izzotti on Shutterstock
5. London, UK
Where to stay:
London pulls out all the stops for its annual fireworks display, with lucky ticket holders able to watch it unfold from the banks of the River Thames along Westminster Bridge. Tickets for the main fireworks display sell out quickly, with only 100,000 available, but there’s plenty for your clients to do to wave goodbye to 2025. West End shows typically put on extra performances, and the city’s nightclubs often bring in A-list entertainers, while most tourist attractions will remain open on December 31st and January 1st.
London pulls out all the stops for its annual fireworks display, with lucky ticket holders able to watch it unfold from the banks of the River Thames along Westminster Bridge.
Photo by YIUCHEUNG on Shutterstock
6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Where to stay:
If your clients are looking for a lively beach party, send them to Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s former capital city sees an estimated 2 million locals and tourists alike descending on Copacabana Beach for its annual celebrations. It’s tradition to wear a white outfit to manifest good luck for the coming year. Brazil’s New Year’s celebrations are known locally as “Réveillon,” with the locals creating tiny rafts as offerings to Lemanja, the sea goddess.
If your clients are looking for a lively beach party, send them to Rio de Janeiro.
Photo by MartiBstock on Shutterstock
7. Tokyo, Japan
Where to stay:
We rated Tokyo as one of the best places to visit in 2025, and it’s also deserving of a dedicated spot on this list. You can expect to see most modern celebrations occurring around the city center, including at Tokyo Tower and the Shibuya Crossing, with bells ringing out to declare the passing of a new year once the clock strikes midnight. The locals typically focus on older traditions, such as that of “Hatsumbode,” the tradition of visiting the first Buddhist shrine at the start of a new year to pray for good luck and wash away the previous year.
You can expect to see most modern celebrations occurring around the city center, including at Tokyo Tower and the Shibuya Crossing, with bells ringing out to declare the passing of a new year once the clock strikes midnight.
Photo by Patrick Foto on Shutterstock
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Where to stay:
Music lovers will be right at home in Nashville, Tennessee. Known as “Music City,” Nashville is home to an array of celebrity-owned bars, which often host their own NYE events, and the famous Grand Ole Opry. This destination is ideal for country music fans who want to party the night away with some of the best live music you’ll find anywhere in the United States.
Known as “Music City,” Nashville is home to an array of celebrity-owned bars, which often host their own NYE events, and the famous Grand Ole Opry.
Photo by jdross75 on Shutterstock
9. Orlando, Florida
Where to stay:
- Universal’s Terra Luna Resort
- Best Western Orlando Gateway Hotel
- Sonesta ES Suites Orlando – International Drive
If your clients are looking for a family-friendly vacation to ring in the New Year, then Orlando ticks all the boxes. All the theme parks remain open throughout the festive season – with most even hitting capacity on Christmas Day and New Year’s – marking the occasion with special performances, merchandise, and parades. Walt Disney World offers fireworks displays that can take on even some of the biggest displays put on by capital cities. If you’re working with clients without kids, Universal Studios is a great alternative with the CityWalk area offering an array of bars and restaurants, the perfect way to end a day of rollercoasters and thrill-seeking.
All the theme parks remain open throughout the festive season – with most even hitting capacity on Christmas Day and New Year’s – marking the occasion with special performances, merchandise, and parades.
Photo by Paula Montenegro Stock on Shutterstock
10. Vienna, Austria
Where to stay:
Clients searching for a “black tie” experience will get an unforgettable experience by stepping back in time at one of Vienna’s iconic gala dinners or balls. These events feel like walking into your favorite period drama or classic novel, giving tourists and locals alike the perfect excuse to dress up. What makes Vienna ideal for international clients is that the city is one of the few in Europe that largely remains open on New Year’s Day, including some of its most popular attractions, such as Schönbrunn Palace.
What makes Vienna ideal for international clients is that the city is one of the few in Europe that largely remains open on New Year’s Day.
Photo by mehdi33300 on Shutterstock
11. Hawaii, USA
Where to stay:
Almost every travel guide we write for the United States features Hawaii – and this one is no exception! Your clients will love this option if they want a relaxing winter vacation to recharge their batteries before 2026, while having the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture. Traditional celebrations include torchlight processions and a luau feast with classic dishes like poke, poi, and kalua pig.
Most private resorts will offer their own event itineraries, including live music, while Waikiki Beach hosts the most popular fireworks show. It’s worth noting that most resorts will offer a fireworks display before midnight, ideal for clients with young families.
Your clients will love this option if they want a relaxing winter vacation to recharge their batteries before 2026, while having the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Photo by Phillip B. Espinasse on Shutterstock
12. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Where to stay:
If your clients want to enjoy some winter sun, Dubai is an ideal option for their New Year’s getaway. Start planning early and book a viewing spot in front of the Dubai Mall to see the fireworks display at Burj Khalifa. Clients who want a more intimate experience can pack a picnic and watch the display from the beach or grab a table at any of the city’s luxury resorts.
Luxury travelers who want to party like an A-lister can even hire a yacht at Marina Promenade to host a private party and start 2026 off with a touch of glamour. There’s no shortage of 5-star resorts in Dubai, with many of them hiring iconic music performances and celebrities for their private, ticket-only celebrations.
Start planning early and book a viewing spot in front of the Dubai Mall to see the fireworks display at Burj Khalifa.
Photo by Pamela Lico on Shutterstock
Curate your client’s dream NYE getaway with RateHawk
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Cover image: Photo by Andreas Rasmussen on Unsplash
