The Greatest New Year's Celebrations on Earth

Looking to have the evening of a lifetime this New Year's? Tired of the same, predictable affair year after year? Make your December 31st a night to remember by taking a trip to the most exciting, lively, and fun places on the planet. Here is just a sampler of what's going on in the world at the close of the year, from wild concerts to ethereal, moonlit retreats. Hopefully you'll be inspired to seek out bigger and better parties, and welcome in the New Year with a bang.

For the U.S., Las Vegas represents the heart of New Year's party atmosphere. Any other day Las Vegas would be considered wild for most, but the evening of the 31st is like no other. The streets are filled with performers, music, and party-goers from all over the globe. Over 400,000 people gather to celebrate, dance, the night away on the strip, including many celebrities. The casinos are all buzzing with live shows, and many notable bands and musicians come out to play a special New Year's show. The culmination of the evening is best seen in front of Caesars Palace when a fantastic light and fireworks show explodes across the Nevada sky at the stroke of midnight. Make sure you book early if you want to catch the premier events, or simply turn up on the day; you're bound to have a fantastic time either way.

In Sydney, Australia, there really is only one thing to do on New Year's Eve; watch the fireworks display over Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Fortunately, the city plans the event so well, it is one of the most enjoyable times to be had anywhere on earth. People start gathering in the prime waterside viewing spots as early as 9 a.m., but there's usually plenty of room for everyone. The whole day almost becomes a city-wide festival, with beer tents, food stalls, music, entertainment, and even an impressive kid’s firework display at around 9 p.m. When the main event approaches a countdown is projected against the bridge and then an enormously huge fireworks show that simply must be seen to be believed rips across the sky. After a memorable night of Sydney's fantastic clubs and pubs, restaurants and concerts, and of course, the fireworks, why not stick around for the month-long festival of incredible music, free events, sublime culture, food, art, and more.

Most New Year's parties around the world have a display of lights, but few are as amazingly beautiful as the immense spectacle in Rio de Janeiro. Up to 3 million people gather on Copacabana beach to look out across a bay of glowing sky and glittering water as masses of fireworks launch over Sugarloaf Mountain. As is traditional in Rio, hundreds of people dressed in white throw flowers into the water and light candles in the sand to celebrate the dawn of a new year. Whether you're in one of the many bars or nightclubs, or relaxing in front of a fire on the sand with locals drumming and singing, the memories will stay with you for a lifetime. One fantastic advantage Rio has is that it is summer in the southern hemisphere, so grab your beach clothes and head out to Brazil.

Wherever you end up this New Year's, have a great time, and travel well.