Where to Spend New Years 2023

Ten…Nine…Eight…Seven…Six…Five…Four…Three…Two…One… Happy New Year! Are you wondering where to spend New Years 2023? With so many options, it can be hard to decide. Therefore I have gathered some of my favorite travel writers to share their favorite New Year spots from around the globe.

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Where to spend New Years 2023 in Orlando, FL

Contributed by Amber from Get Lost in Wanderlust

Orlando, Florida is a truly magical place to spend New Year’s Eve. Best known as the home of Disney World, Orlando is a great place for both kids and adults on New Year’s Eve. As Orlando is in Central Florida, the weather is an average of 70 degrees and sunny. Consequently, you can see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve and relax by the pool on New Year’s Day!

There are several firework shows and NYE events across Orlando. However, for the most enchanting thing to do, watch the fireworks at midnight over Disney’s Magic Kingdom Castle. Disney has midnight fireworks shows at both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Both locations also offer an earlier 6:30 pm fireworks show.

At Epcot you will find more of the party vibe on NYE, with live DJ music in addition to the fireworks show at midnight. Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot require buying tickets to the theme park. Plus you need to make reservations online for new years eve day. Make sure to get your tickets and reserve your spot early. These parks will fill up at capacity for NYE. 

Other popular Orlando theme parks to visit for New Year’s Eve include Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Legoland.

Start planning now

Looking to go somewhere free for New Year’s Eve?

Located nearby, Old Town Kissimmee and Mount Dora both hold free fireworks events on New Year’s Eve.

Foe another option visit Disney Springs, which is free to enter. It provides fun Disney Theme restaurants and shops. Disney Springs does not have their own fireworks. However, they do have several fun activities such as the Christmas tree stroll, live music, and several restaurants that offer NYE events.

Similarly, Universal’s City Walk does not require a theme-park ticket. It also has a variety of restaurants, live music, and festive activities on New Year’s Eve.

Key West: where to spend New Years 2023 in South Florida

By: Victoria of Florida Trippers

Not sure where to go for New Years Eve in 2023? If so then try visiting Key West, Florida. 

This bright, warm, and sunny destination is brimming with unique activities. Plus, the average daily temperature sits at around 75F. So, you can enjoy a nice long walk on the beach before making your way over to 801 Bourbon Bar. Once there, grab a drink from one of the best bars in Key West for nightlife before grabbing a seat at this iconic local gay bar. 

Next, watch Sushi, the famous female impersonator, do the classic “Red Shoe Drop”.  If you’re not familiar with this event, Sushi stands meticulously dressed in a flowing gown. She’ll do a  bit of comedy and welcome other live performers to the stage to start their acts. Then right before midnight, she is placed on a giant red high heel shoe and lowered to the ground from the bar’s balcony. It’s quite an extravaganza since the whole experience is actually televised live on CNN and has been for the last twenty-four years. 

However, if a red shoe drop isn’t exciting enough for you, you can always see a key lime dropped from Ocean Key House. Or marvel at a pirate wench getting dropped from Schooner Wharf Bar. For another alternative watch a giant conch shell get dropped from Sloppy Joe’s. 

And if that’s really not your scene, then you could always attend  a fun and totally complimentary performance at Sunset Pier.

Where to spend New Years 2023 for a 2 day event? Dublin

Be Right Back by Mary

Spending Christmas and New Year’s in Dublin Ireland is incredible. In addition to welcoming visitors, Dublin boasts a lot of famous historical sites such as Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Dublin is also a bustling city that is lit up by locals when the holidays approach. Irish people know how to party and spend fun evenings at the pubs, including New Year’s! Spending New Year’s in Dublin provides a special experience you’ll never forget! 

On the day of New Year’s Eve, Dublin throws the New Year’s Festival. This festival takes place all over the city and is spread over two days. It attracts visitors from all over the world. This countdown experience has events, music, and famous light shows topped up by the traditional fireworks!

The main events include the Liffey Lights show along with the Countdown Concert. At the beautiful Custom House (which you can also visit for free!) you’ll find the final fireworks. This is only a few minutes walk from Dublin’s City Centre and the famous Temple Bar District. If you are planning on attending, visitors are advised to arrive early, sometimes even mid-afternoon. The quays can sometimes fill up with crowds hours in advance. A great place to watch the show, if you can’t find a spot on the Custom House side of the quays, is on the other side of the bridge.

One final tip for spending New Year’s in Dublin is to book your accommodation at least three to four months in advance. This way you will benefit from the best price. Booking last minute can get you good deals in Dublin, but please note that most accommodations (hotels and Airbnb) are usually full by then. 

Spend a tropical new years 2023 in Tahiti

Contributed by Kristin Lee of Global Travel Escapades

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation to help you start the New Year on the right foot, consider a trip to the gorgeous French Polynesian island of Tahiti. The exotic paradise is remotely located in the South Pacific Ocean. However, it offers a wide variety of activities and attractions to make your holiday celebration unforgettable!

For example, you can celebrate the start of 2023 with all the locals by watching a spectacular fireworks display over Papeete’s Waterfront Esplanade. Afterward, make your way to one of the many rooftop bars or hotels around the capital. Here you’ll find several lively dance parties that run until the wee hours of the morning!

Then, to recover from the New Year festivities, find your inner peace at one of the island’s gorgeous black sand beaches. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, consider hiking to one of Tahiti’s numerous waterfalls hidden within the mountainous interior! A crowd favorite is Fautaua Waterfall, which is the island’s tallest waterfall and is over 400 feet tall.

Alternatively, if you want to people-watch and try lots of delicious local foods, make your way to the Papeete market. Here you’ll discover hundreds of stalls selling cheap dishes and goods. It’s also the perfect place to purchase handcrafted souvenirs from local artisans for loved ones back home!

So if you’re ready for an unforgettable New Year’s 2023, be sure to consider the lovely island of Tahiti!

Where to spend new years 2023 in Europe?: Krakow

Contributed by Lowri Thomas from Many Other Roads

If you’re looking for a festive and exciting place to spend your New Year, look no further than Krakow!

Spending New Year’s in Krakow, Poland is an amazing experience. With snow-capped streets, historical charm, and stunning nightlife, it has become one of the hottest destinations in Europe to welcome the new year.

There are so many things to do here. Enjoy delicious traditional Polish cuisine. Then explore the town square where you can watch amazing festive displays. But for the ultimate way to bring in the New Year, you need to book a ticket to a traditional New Year Ball in one of the hotels in Krakow. Your ticket will include drinks, food and live entertainment, so is a great way of celebrating. 

The celebrations start around 8 pm on New Year’s Eve. You can explore the city while you wait. One of the most popular things to do is to take part in guided sightseeing activities. During these tours you will explore medieval monasteries and churches. 

Krakow is surrounded by a lot of history. Many visitors want to learn more during their visit. Sites like Auschwitz, Oskar Schindlers Factory, and the Jewish Ghetto are the top historical tours you should visit book no matter what time of year you visit. 

Europe has so many destinations that you will have an amazing time celebrating New Year at. But if you are looking for something which is budget-friendly, has plenty to do and is incredibly festive, add Krakow to your list. 

New Years 2023 in the Big Apple

Suggested by Sam Opp from Find Love and Travel

The destination on everyone’s bucket list to celebrate New Year’s Eve is, of course, New York City. And if it isn’t on your list, it should be. 

Famous for its lights, festive spirit, and intriguing nightlife, New York is the ultimate party spot to bid farewell to the previous year. Welcome in the new year in style. 

New York City at this time of the year is like no other experience. When it comes to the state’s celebrations, they always deliver! 

You can choose to gather around in the large crowd of uplifting party-goers for the classic ball drop. This will make you feel a real sense of community. Or blend in with the locals at one of the local bars or clubs to countdown the final seconds until the new year! Whatever your vibe is, there will be a plethora of spots for you to choose from.

What should I bring?

While the joy and cheer that comes with the day can be positively consuming, New York is based on the East coast of the United States. This makes the months of December and January bitterly cold and unpredictable. So don’t forget to add warm clothes to your New York winter packing list. Also, while it is not common for New York locals to visit the ball drop in Times Square, it is a hugely popular attraction for tourists, so be cautious of large crowds.

The New York atmosphere is a once-in-a-lifetime feeling. This location should undoubtedly be added to your list of vistas to consider to commemorate the new year.

New Years 2023 Down Under

By Catrina from 24 Hours Layover

Wellington, New Zealand makes for the perfect place to spend New Years Eve as it is the first major capital to celebrate and see in the new year!

Down by Whairepo Lagoon, Frank Kitts Park is the best place to spend New Years Eve. There is free live music and entertainment from 8pm until late. There is a nice vibe here because it is busy without feeling too crowded. You can bring your own drinks and relax with friends and family for the night. Or visit one of the nearby restaurants at some point, and then come back to join the festivities. People are very polite and there is plenty of space. Even if you get here after everyone arrives you’ll still find a good spot to sit down and enjoy.

At 9pm fireworks light up the sky for the children. Then the main fireworks display at midnight happens by the promenade on Lambton Harbour, next to the lagoon. 

After the fireworks head over to the bars at Courtenay Place. There will be lots of people queuing up to get inside the bars and clubs! New Years Eve is the one night of the year where everyone goes out to party in Wellington. You’ll never normally see the city so busy with people, so it’s certainly a great place to be! 

What is there to do during the day in Wellington?

During the day, make sure to see some of Wellington’s best sights: The Beehive building, Hobbit’s Hideaway, Oriental Beach, the Wellington Cable Car, and the incredible Te Papa Museum – a must when in Wellington! Make sure to bring a jacket when you head up to Mount Victoria Lookout as it gets very windy here! Wellington is fairly compact and easy to walk around. Even if you only have one day in Wellington you’ll still be able to see a lot!

How about Amsterdam?

By Jake from Tribe Holidays

For a truly memorable (and I must admit, slightly unruly) New Years Eve, I highly recommend the city of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is located in the Western region of The Netherlands. We took a train from Paris, stopped in Belgium for refreshments, and arrived in Amsterdam after approximately 3-4 hours of travel. 

What makes Amsterdam such an unforgettable destination for New Years Eve are the unique rituals carried out by the local communities.  For starters, prior to 2020, many of the local party-goers gathered in the streets to set off large firecrackers and rockets.  In recent years restrictions have been imposed to limit the use of fireworks to professionals. However, it’s still safe to say that the Dutch love to party in the skies!  

Another local tradition we discovered was the piling of pre-loved pine Christmas trees, which were heaped in the village square.  Of course, where there’s smoke, there’s a fire. These trees were set alight to generate an almighty glow, assumingly a metaphor for putting the past behind them and starting afresh into the new year.

What a contrast it was with all of the dark ash falling from the sky, along with perfectly white snowflakes at this icy time of year. A night that I’ll always remember, shared with great friends and plenty of laughter and delight. 

Disneyland Paris

Submission by Grace Roberts from Pixie Dust and Passports

If you’re a Disney fanatic and you’re looking for somewhere kitsch to spend New Year’s Eve, head to
Disneyland Paris? This charming tourist attraction is tucked away in Serris, which is just outside Paris
(around 57 minutes away on the RER, to be precise!)

Although spending New Year’s Eve at Disneyland is usually a ticketed event, it’s well
worth the effort. During the day, you’ll be treated to the magic of Disneyland at Christmas. They create an all-out celebration between 8:30 pm and 2 am.

To make the most of your park ticket, you’ll want to head into the parks at around noon (at the latest!)
Then you can hit the headlining rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and anything around the Avengers Campus at Walt Disney Studios. Going early allows you to check out any must-visit attractions
without battling with the New Year’s Eve revelers.

And hey, who doesn’t love fireworks, extended ride hours, nighttime parades, and a disco dance party
to ring in the New Year?

Tip for Disney Paris

You might think the park would clear out for a ticketed event. But special soirees are always very
popular with Parisian residents and European travelers. So, you’ll want to come prepared by leaving the
less popular rides until late in the evening!

To increase your chances of grabbing tickets (which sell out in an instant every single year!), make sure
you’re following Disney’s social media pages. This should allow you to hop onto any booking pages and
checkout before the perfect New Year’s celebration is snatched from your Disney-loving hands.

Celebrate in Boulder, Colorado

Contributed by Amber from Amber Everywhere

For something a little different, ring in the New Year in the idyllic and eccentric city of Boulder, Colorado. The city is set at the base of the Rocky Mountains, offering stunning views of the Flatirons from the central walking mall around Pearl Street. You’ll find everything you need in central Boulder for a memorable New Years Eve, from tasty cocktails to fun parties and great food. 

Decide on a restaurant or bar to ring in the New Year as early as possible. Most places will have ticketed events for the holiday. Then, you can eat dinner at a local favorite spot like Mountain Sun Brewery and enjoy the festive atmosphere up and down Pearl Street. When you’re ready to party, make your way to a local bar or venue to enjoy the special event. 

For an extra special New Year’s Eve party, visit the Gold Hill Inn in the nearby small mountain town of Gold Hill. They usually host a more formal dinner followed by live music from local bands. Here locals dance away the last few hours of the year. Bring plenty of Mardi Gras beads to exchange with other party goers, and plan to drive home, as the area isn’t serviced by taxis.

When deciding where to stay in Boulder, choose a hotel or rental that is close to Pearl Street so that you’re never far from the action. After an evening of celebration in Boulder, head to Lucile’s Creole Cafe for a filling and tasty breakfast. Don’t miss their famous biscuits, served with butter and homemade strawberry rhubarb jam.

Virgin Islands: escape the cold

Theresa – Fueled By Wanderlust

The US Virgin Islands are an incredible tropical destination to spend New Year’s.  There are three main islands to choose from. Plus, a passport isn’t required for US citizens.

When visiting the US Virgin Islands for a Caribbean New Year’s, you will not be alone.  This is the busiest time of year to be in the islands. Bars and restaurants will be hopping. You can even see mega yachts docked at various bays.  Many local establishments hold New Year’s Eve celebrations where you can count down to midnight while listening to live music and sipping a tropical drink.

The biggest decision is which island will best suit your vibe.  The busiest island is St. Thomas due to its giant cruise port. It also delivers the most vibrant nightlife. 

For a slower pace, visit St. John to bask in the beauty of Virgin Islands National Park.  At night, head into Cruz Bay for a chiller. Sip a cocktail on the sand at The Beach Bar or Rum Hut.

Take a British VA day trip

From either St. Thomas or St. John, it is possible to take a day trip island hopping in the British Virgin Islands.  In that case, even US Citizens will need to bring their passport.  However, it’s worth it. Swim into White Bay for a painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar or wander through the Baths at Virgin Gorda.

Let’s not forget about St. Croix. This largest US Virgin Island sits forty miles south of its sister islands.  Christiansted is a colorful town to wander with its lively boardwalk, which is stunning at sunset.  While St. Croix is not ideally situated for an island-hopping day trip, there is incredible snorkeling at nearby Buck Island, where you can see massive coral reef systems. 

You can reach St. Thomas or St. Croix by flying into their respective airports.  St. John can be reached by first flying into St. Thomas before catching a twenty-minute ferry.

West coast destination: San Francisco

Contributed by Gabriel Glasier of Chef Travel Guide

San Francisco, located in Northern California, is the perfect place to kick off the New Year with a bang. The city comes to life with countless options to suit your tastes. This makes for an epic night of celebrating and fun-filled festivities.

The city puts on a legendary fireworks show shot from a barge floating just off the Embarcadero. The fireworks reflect on the water. The show’s backdrop is the Bay Bridge with all of its lights. 

If you want a relaxed evening with a view, head up to Twin Peaks. Bring a blanket. Then watch the fireworks displays across the entire bay area. This is the best viewpoint in San Francisco and a perfect place to see the city lights.

Where to stay in San Francisco

San Francisco is also home to some impressive accommodations, worthy of such a special day. Celebrate your New Year with a room at the Hyatt Regency. Book the Bay View Studio Suite for a perfect vantage point to watch the fireworks right from your private balcony.

There are lots of parties across the city, ranging from small events at San Francisco’s top cocktail bars to an epic blowout at the Top of the Mark. For a more romantic evening, you can also sip champagne and dance your heart out on a bay cruise with an up-close look at the fireworks.

If you want to kick off the New Year with some stars, start your celebration by dining at one of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. Taste the world-class explosive flavors of a Chef’s tasting menu at three-star restaurants like Benu or Atelier Crenn.

With so many options for an amazing night, San Francisco should be at the top of your list of New Year’s destinations.

Malaga Spain

Contributed by Linn Haglund of Amused by Andalucia

Malaga in southern Spain is the perfect place to spend New Year. Malaga in winter is beautiful. With mild temperatures, impressive rooftop bars, and proximity to the beach, you are guaranteed an unforgettable celebration.

Follow the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes as you count down the last seconds to the New Year. Then pop a bottle of local Cava, (Spanish sparkling wine). Eating one grape a second for the last 12 seconds to midnight is said to bring good luck for the new year. Each grape symbolizes one of the 12 months in the coming year – so you better not jinx it.

To join the crowds, head to Plaza de la Constitución where people of all ages gather to ring in the new year. Malaga is truly where it happens on Costa del Sol. For dinner, make sure to reserve in advance, a table at one of the finest restaurants in town. A great place to have a New Year’s dinner is any of the restaurants at Muelle Uno. This is the new port of Malaga which is lined with restaurants and bars for all tastes.

If you are only visiting for a few days, make sure you explore the Moorish Castles of Alcazaba and Gibralfaro overlooking the city. Climb the cathedral’s rooftop and discover any of the museums of Malaga. After that, do some day trips to nearby places on the coast, like Nerja or Marbella. It is also a splendid time of the year to walk El Caminito del Rey, a spectacular gorge walk pinned 100 meters up on the vertical mountainside.

Bali, for an exotic New Years 2023

Abi from Igoa-adventure

Bali is somewhere you can’t miss if you want an amazing New Year! Bali caters to everyone. It has awesome parties all over the island. However, the beach clubs go all out with excellent live DJs and fireworks. If you’re after something less crazy but just as snazzy then try the top restaurants. They hold New Year’s Eve parties with delicious choices of gastronomy.

If you want to dance under the stars with the sand under your toes, head to one of the popular beaches. You’ll find loads of people gathering around fires, singing and dancing, and having a great time, (try not to stand on the offerings which line the beach though). In Canggu, which is where the more popular beach clubs are, such as La Brisa and Finns, you can easily enjoy their fireworks and music for free since they are right on the beachfront!

After all the hurrah, the island is just as incredible and exciting to spend your New Year’s Day holiday. It’s one of the best places in the world for spas. Spa days which will be much needed after all that dancing. There are waterfalls to discover, tropical beaches and jungles, world heritage sites and rice paddies galore. 

Is Bali expensive?

Bali is a very cheap place to visit and you’ll be able to have an unbelievable holiday for a lot less than if you were staying in other more expensive places, however, during New Year’s Eve the prices do get hiked up so it’s good to bare this in mind when making your plans. If you do choose Bali for your New Year’s make sure to book as much as you can in advance!

Donna Emperador is a travel and food blogger and copywriter. Donna believes in learning about different cultures while sharing good food and cocktails. She has lived in South Florida for over 20 years and enjoys spending time exploring the road to find unique places to share with readers. She can be found on Facebook,  Instagram, and Pinterest.