Where to Celebrate the New Year
November 8, 2012| Netherlands | Amsterdam| Cities
New Year’s is one of the most exhilarating and entertaining holidays on earth. Some of the world’s greatest celebrations take place on the European continent every December 31st. If you want to join in the raucous festivities and traditions, here are the five best European cities to celebrate the New Year’s Eve.
Paris, France
Paris – the City of Lights – is well-known for its romantic and extravagant New Year’s Eve celebrations. Visitors from all over the world flock to the heart of the city to take in a majestic fireworks extravaganza, with the Eiffel Tower – lit up gloriously with millions of lights – illuminating the entire scene. You can take romantic river cruises on the Seine, hit the Parisian nightlife, and even take a midnight tour of a vineyard to pick grapes.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
For those looking for some of the hottest nightlife on New Year’s Eve – called Old Year’s Evening by the Dutch – Amsterdam in the Netherlands is the place to be. The city is filled with clubs, bars, and other points of entertainment that will be jam-packed on Dec. 31stin anticipation of the new year arriving. Large crowds also congregate and revel in the city squares, namely Dam Square, Rembrandtplein, Nieuwmarkt and Leidseplein.
London, England
Those who find themselves in the British Isles can make their way to merry ol’ London for a night to remember for New Year’s. One massively popular celebration takes place at the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames River. You can take in a spectacular fireworks display that begins when Big Ben chimes in at midnight and lasts for 10 action-packed minutes. You can also frequent the city’s best pubs while taking advantage of free travel on the tube from 11:45 PM to 4:30 AM.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin annually hosts one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. Over a million people come to the capital of Germany to take in the classic German food, beer, and entertainment. If you attend, you can’t miss the celebrations that take place at the Brandenburg Gate. Enjoy the incredible fireworks celebrations, and be sure to toast the New Year at midnight with a glass of Sekt – German sparkling wine.
Madrid, Spain
If you are in Spain, make it a point to visit the capital of Madrid for New Year’s. Join in the crowd and take part in a great Spanish tradition of eating one grape for each of the twelve midnight chimes. Then toast each other with champagne and enjoy the city’s nightlife.
If you are in Europe when December 31strolls around, you can’t go wrong with any of these great celebration locations.
