The best New Year’s Eve destination in the world for 2026 is Sydney, with two harbour fireworks shows at 9 pm and midnight and free vantage points. Our list covers nine cities, ranked by how reliably the celebration runs and how easy it is to join.
Event plans for New Year’s Eve 2026 are still being announced. We show confirmed 2026 information where it exists and flag what is not yet confirmed.
| Rank | City | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney, Australia | Free viewing spots; 9 pm and midnight shows of about 12 minutes |
| 2 | London, United Kingdom | Official tickets from 20 to 55 pounds plus fee |
| 3 | Edinburgh, Scotland | Hogmanay runs 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 |
| 4 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Over 45 fireworks shows planned for 2025 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, United States | Strip fireworks from casino rooftops |
| 6 | Valparaiso, Chile | Waterfront fireworks along the coast to Vina del Mar |
| 7 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Bonfires and mostly residents’ fireworks |
| 8 | Berlin, Germany | Brandenburg Gate event not yet confirmed for 2026 |
| 9 | Hong Kong, China | Harbour fireworks were cancelled for 2025; 2026 unconfirmed |
1. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is our top pick for New Year’s Eve 2026. It stages two fireworks shows over the harbour, a family show at 9 pm and the main show at midnight, each running about 12 minutes. Several vantage points, including parts of the Royal Botanic Garden and The Domain, are free on 31 December 2026 on a first-come basis.
Ticketed spots and hotel parties run from about A$20 to A$650 based on previous years’ listings, so check 2026 prices when they are released.
2. London, United Kingdom
London’s official fireworks on the Thames are a ticketed event. Tickets for the 2026 show are listed at 20 to 55 pounds plus a booking fee, with cheaper prices for Londoners. One report puts the sale date at 23 October 2026 through Ticketmaster.
Private Thames boat parties are a separate option and were listed from about 100 to 190 pounds.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the street party on 31 December. The street party is listed from 33 pounds early-bird, and the Concert in the Gardens from 85 to 140 pounds with street party entry.
Prices rise closer to the date.
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve is built around fireworks at the Burj Khalifa and elsewhere; regulators planned more than 45 fireworks shows across the city for the 2025 celebration.
Atlantis, The Palm hosted a gala dinner with a headline performer and fireworks for 2025. Confirm 2026 plans with each venue.
5. Las Vegas, United States
Las Vegas marks New Year’s Eve with fireworks from several Strip rooftops, plus club and hotel parties. Paris Las Vegas and the clubs around it, including those in our Las Vegas clubs list, are the usual base.
We could not confirm 2026 attendance figures.
6. Valparaiso, Chile
Valparaiso’s waterfront show is the biggest New Year’s fireworks display in Latin America, launched from points along the coast between Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. A guide describes a 20-minute show.
Local traditions include eating grapes at midnight and wearing yellow underwear for luck.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik celebrates with community bonfires and fireworks, many launched by residents who buy fireworks from the rescue team as a fundraiser.
A tour operator describes more than 500 tons of fireworks in just over half an hour around midnight; treat it as a promotional figure.
8. Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s party mile at the Brandenburg Gate drew large crowds in the past, but the city says it is not yet known whether the event will run in 2026. For the 2025 to 2026 turn of the year it planned a DJ party and fireworks with free tickets for about 20,000 guests.
If the main event does not run, the city’s clubs, covered in our Berlin nightclubs list, are the alternative.
9. Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong’s harbour fireworks drew more than 400,000 people for the 2025 countdown. For the next celebration, the government announced in December 2025 that the harbour fireworks would not take place, with the countdown moved to Chater Road in Central.
We could not confirm what is planned for the end of 2026, so check with the tourism board before booking.
Not ranked
We dropped Vienna and Niagara Falls from this edition because we could not confirm their 2026 programmes. The Vienna Christmas market is still covered in our Christmas markets list.
Keep reading
- Best Christmas markets in Europe: for Vienna and other holiday cities
- Best Christmas hotels in the world: for the week before New Year
- Best Christmas destinations in the world: for planning the whole holiday
- Best Christmas hotels in the United States: for a US base
- Christmas cookie ideas: for the home side of the holidays
FAQ
What is the best place in the world for New Year’s Eve?
Sydney, which stages fireworks at 9 pm and midnight and has free vantage points.
How much are London New Year’s Eve fireworks tickets?
Official tickets are listed at 20 to 55 pounds plus a booking fee, with discounts for Londoners.
When is Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026?
The festival runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the street party on 31 December.
Are the Hong Kong fireworks on in 2026?
We could not confirm. The harbour fireworks were cancelled for the 2025 countdown and the event moved to Chater Road.
Is Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate party on in 2026?
The city said it was not yet known whether the event will run, so check before planning a trip.
Which city is best for a party that lasts all night?
Berlin and Las Vegas are known for clubs that run into the morning.
How we put this list together
We checked official event pages and recent reporting in October 2026 and ranked cities on how reliably the celebration runs and how easy it is to join.
Last updated: October 2026.
