See in a new year abroad

Seeing in a new year abroad means being in a country that isn't your own when the clock passes midnight on 31 December. It's worth doing because every place does it differently: fireworks over a harbor, bonfires in Iceland, temple bells in Japan, white clothes on a Brazilian beach, and you'll remember which year it was by where you stood.

Where to do it

Sydney Harbour, Australia

One of the first big cities to reach midnight, with fireworks fired from the Harbour Bridge and barges across the water, plus an earlier family display at 9 p.m. Free foreshore spots fill hours ahead and some areas are ticketed and alcohol-free. In Australia it's midsummer, so bring water and a hat for the wait.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Réveillon on Copacabana beach means a huge crowd in white, fireworks from boats offshore, and the custom of jumping seven waves for luck at midnight. Some leave flowers in the sea for Iemanjá, the sea goddess. Keep your phone hidden in the crush, and plan your way home on one of the busiest nights in Brazil.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Hogmanay is a three-day affair, with a ticketed Street Party and fireworks from the castle at midnight, then the Loony Dook, a freezing dip in the sea at South Queensferry, on 1 January. The catch is Scottish weather: the outdoor events were cancelled for high winds on 31 December 2024. Hotels in this corner of the United Kingdom book up early.

Reykjavík, Iceland

Neighborhoods light bonfires in the evening, then the whole city sets off its own fireworks at midnight, many bought from the volunteer rescue teams, who sell them to raise funds. Watch from the hill around Hallgrímskirkja church. Wind and darkness are part of a winter night in Iceland.

Tokyo, Japan

The quiet choice. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times around midnight, and at dawn and in the first days of January crowds make the first shrine visit of the year, at places like Meiji Jingu. Many shops and restaurants in Japan close for the first days of the year, so plan meals ahead.

Times Square, New York, United States

The ball drop is famous, but the viewing pens fill from the afternoon and there are no restrooms, no bags and no going out and back in. If you want the moment in the United States, dress for a long, cold wait.

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

The bay of Funchal becomes an amphitheater, with fireworks launched all around the hills while cruise ships wait in the harbor. It's milder than most of Europe in December and a short flight from Lisbon. Hotel rooms facing the bay in Portugal's island city go first.

Kiritimati, Kiribati

Also called Christmas Island, this atoll in Kiribati is on the world's earliest time zone, UTC+14, so it's the first inhabited place to reach the new year. Flights are few and the celebration is small, which is part of the appeal.

How to make it happen

• Book early. Hotels in the cities above sell out months ahead, and many ask for a minimum stay of two or three nights over the holiday.
• Plan the way home first. Trains and buses often run late or all night, but taxis are scarce and roads close around the main sites. Pick your spot by how you'll leave it.
• Agree a meeting point. Phone networks often jam at midnight in big crowds, so don't count on a call or a message.
• Travel light. Many viewing areas search bags or ban them; carry a phone, a card, water and a layer.
• Take the photo where you are. A picture at the countdown with camera location on marks the night and the place.

Many of these nights double as a city festival; see our big festival line for more.