Best New Year’s Eve Destinations around the World!
A New Year can symbolize the start of something new, a fresh start bringing with it, happiness and a sense of hope. It is celebrated in many different ways around the world, but has the New Year always been celebrated on the 01 January?
In fact, the first New year celebrations date back to the Babylon Akitu Festival known for the annual sowing of barley celebrated on the Spring Equinox. In 46 BC Julius Caesar changed the New year from March to January 1st. However, over time it was believe by the church to be a pagan celebration and was changed again. It wasn’t until 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII created the Gregorian Calendar and returned the New Year to 01st January and we still use this calendar today.
Have you experience New Year in any of these cities?
1. Sydney, Australia
As they say, don’t leave home till you have seen your own country. This can definitely be said about Sydney’s New Year’s celebrations, known to be one of the best. As it is one of the first major cities in the world to greet the New Year, Sydney every year displays to the world an amazing firework exhibition from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2. Edinburgh, Scotland
For those that have experienced a London working holiday they will know it is almost a rite of passage to spend New Year in Edinburgh. The three-day festival known as Hogmanay is celebrated with fireworks, music concerts and one of the best New Year eve street parties in the world.
3. New York, USA
Since 1904 people have been gathering in Time Square to celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, the Famous Time Square Glittery Ball Drop didn’t start until 1907 resulting from a firework ban. The original ball weighed 700 pounds and featured 100 25-watt bulbs. Today the ball is decorated with over 2688 Waterford Crystals and is 3.5 metres in diameter and weighs 5386 kgs.
4. London
London celebrates New Year’s Eve with a fireworks display launched off the London Eye and from barges in the River Thames. The best viewing points are located along the Embankment and South bank near Big Ben.
5. Rio de Janeiro
If the cold weather of London isn’t for you, then Rio de Janeiro might be a better fit, with its famous Copacabana Beach celebrations and warm weather. It is estimated that two million revellers flock to Copacabana Beach to enjoy the music, play a bit of football and watch the fireworks.
Fun Facts from around the world about New Year:
- In Italy, people wear red underwear on New Year’s Day to bring good luck all year long. The tradition dates back to medieval times.
- The song traditionally sung on New Year’s, “Auld Lang Syne,” means “times gone by”.
- 2,000 pounds (907kg) of confetti are dropped on the crowd in Times Square at midnight.