THE FIVE BEST INTERNATIONAL CITIES TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE
Year’s Eve is an opportunity to wave farewell to the past year, welcome in the new, and make lasting memories with family and friends. Make this year’s celebration one to remember by revelling in one of the most exciting cities in the world. From the sultry beaches of Rio, to the chilly streets of Edinburgh, here are five international cities hosting incredible New Year’s Eve bashes:
HONG KONG
New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong boasts spectacular fireworks set against the city’s dramatic skyline. The festivities kick off in Hong Kong’s Times Square shopping mall with a ball drop (in the style of the iconic Time’s Square tradition). Celebrations then move to Victoria Harbour where an outstanding pyro-musical display kicks off at the stroke of midnight with lasers and fireworks exploding across the sky.
Avoid the heaving crowds down on the waterfront and catch the show from a boat on the water, the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, or one of Hong Kong’s roof-top bars: the Hotel Icon, Park Lane, and Red Sugar in the Kerry Hotel, all offer amazing views.
Closest NetJets airport: Shek Kong (VHSK), Hong Kong Intl (VHHH)
NEW YORK
New Year's Eve in the United States is famously associated with Times Square in Manhattan - the annual gathering of over a million people to watch the 12-foot-wide crystal ball drop has become an historic event.
With an indescribable buzz in the air, it is a night that’s hard to forget. Avoid being trampled by the crowds and watch the festivities from one of the bars or restaurants overlooking Times Square, such as Renaissance Hotel’s R Lounge. Alternatively, take a boat ride up New York Harbour for the best views of Liberty Island’s fireworks display.
If a Manhattan party is too main-stream for you, make like a local and head out to Brooklyn to enjoy fireworks and live music at Prospect Park.
Closest NetJets airport: JFK (KJKF), Laguardia (KLGA), Newark Liberty Intl (KEWR), Teterboro (KTEB)
CAPE TOWN
New Year’s Eve in Cape Town sits smack-bang in the middle of South Africa’s summer, making it the perfect destination for a warm start to 2019. The most popular spot to celebrate is the V&A Waterfront with its host of restaurants and bars, live music, dancing and fireworks. With spectacular views of Table Mountain and the sea, you won’t find a more beautiful setting.
If you’re looking for a less touristy spot, try Clifton 4th Beach where all the locals live it up in one of the many beach clubs.
Closest NetJets airport: Yasterplaat AB (FAYP), Cape Town Intl (FACT)
RIO DE JANEIRO
New Year’s Eve celebrations in Rio are good enough to rival the city’s iconic Carnival celebrations. On Copacabana Beach, you’ll find the world’s largest New Year’s Eve party with more than two million people. This popular party is deeply rooted in Brazilian religious, traditional, and superstitious beliefs. Known locally as Réveillon, locals dress entirely in white (for good luck) and throw flowers into the ocean as a gift to the goddess of the seas.
With massive oceanfront stages hosting live music and dancing, plus a firework display at midnight, there is no shortage of entertainment.
Closest NetJets airport: Santos Dumont (SBRJ), Galeao-Antonio Intl (SBGL), Campo Delio Jardim de Mattos (SBAF)
EDINBURGH
New Year’s celebrations in Scotland are called Hogmanay, or the “last day of the year”. Don’t let this fool you though, as celebrations last for a full three days. Kicking off on December 30th with a Torchlight Procession, thousands of torch carriers walk from the famous Royal Mile to Calton Hill, with the evening ending with a massive fireworks display.
On the actual day itself, the party moves to Princes street in the centre of the city. Set against the Edinburgh Castle, around 80,000 people enjoy outdoor live music, a massive open-air Ceilidh, DJs, giant screens, a number of outdoor bars, and the world-famous fireworks at midnight (4.5 tonnes of them). New Year’s Day brings dog sledding across Holyrood Park and a fancy-dress swim in the freezing Firth of Forth following the Loony Dook parade (a charity event)
Closest NetJets airport: Edinburgh (EGPH), Cumbernauld (EGPG)
