Among the first places in Australia to see the sunrise, Byron Bay hosts one of the country's largest New Year's Eve parties. This year's Falls Music & Arts Festival (December 31 to January 3) features MGMT, Grizzly Bear, The Roots and Vampire Weekend.
Byron Bay, Australia —
Among the first places in Australia to see the sunrise, Byron Bay hosts one of the country's largest New Year's Eve parties. This year's Falls Music & Arts Festival (December 31 to January 3) features MGMT, Grizzly Bear, The Roots and Vampire Weekend.
courtesy nsw tourism
Balmy weather, beaches, outdoor bars and restaurants -- India's smallest state is also one of its biggest party centers. Goan celebrations kick off on December 27 with the three-day Sunburn music festival.
Goa, India —
Balmy weather, beaches, outdoor bars and restaurants -- India's smallest state is also one of its biggest party centers. Goan celebrations kick off on December 27 with the three-day Sunburn music festival.
INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/GettyImages
Many Prague locals contribute their own fireworks to New Year's Eve festivities around town. The official show explodes over the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square at midnight.
Prague, Czech Republic —
Many Prague locals contribute their own fireworks to New Year's Eve festivities around town. The official show explodes over the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square at midnight.
courtesy welcome to prague
At Harbin's annual Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, visitors can see larger-than-life ice sculptures lit either by lasers or using traditional lanterns.
Harbin, China —
At Harbin's annual Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, visitors can see larger-than-life ice sculptures lit either by lasers or using traditional lanterns.
Cancan Chu/Getty Images
Billed as Canada's largest free New Year's Eve extravaganza, the December 31 concert at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls is expected to draw more than 40,000 people.
Niagara Falls, Canada —
Billed as Canada's largest free New Year's Eve extravaganza, the December 31 concert at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls is expected to draw more than 40,000 people.
John Normile/Getty Images
December 31 sees crowds converge on 10 bonfires lit around Iceland's capital before revelers make their way to Hallgrimskirkja church, a dramatic 73-meter-high building designed to resemble the country's lava flows.
Reykjavik, Iceland —
December 31 sees crowds converge on 10 bonfires lit around Iceland's capital before revelers make their way to Hallgrimskirkja church, a dramatic 73-meter-high building designed to resemble the country's lava flows.
courtesy iceland tourism
If you can't decide on one destination, a cruise offers a roster of ports. All cruise lines ring in the New Year with pomp and ceremony, but a few go the extra mile (see story below).
Cruise ships, various —
If you can't decide on one destination, a cruise offers a roster of ports. All cruise lines ring in the New Year with pomp and ceremony, but a few go the extra mile (see story below).
courtesy norwegian cruise line
The Canadian resort village will host a Youth Dance and NYE kids' countdown in Millennium Place, with fire spinners, dancers, circus entertainers, live music and a giant bubble wrap stomp and balloon drop.
Whistler, British Columbia —
The Canadian resort village will host a Youth Dance and NYE kids' countdown in Millennium Place, with fire spinners, dancers, circus entertainers, live music and a giant bubble wrap stomp and balloon drop.
courtesy tourism canada
Most evenings at Orlando's Walt Disney World go off with a bang, but the entertainment on New Year's Eve is particularly spectacular. Disney World fills up fast, so it's wise to arrive early.
Walt Disney World, Florida —
Most evenings at Orlando's Walt Disney World go off with a bang, but the entertainment on New Year's Eve is particularly spectacular. Disney World fills up fast, so it's wise to arrive early.
courtesy disney
Chiang Mai officially celebrated Loi Krathong (the Festival of Lights) in November, but the dazzling extravaganza is repeated in part on New Year's Eve. Revelers gather on Thapae Road for food stalls, musicians, dancers and paper lanterns released into the sky.
Chiang Mai, Thailand —
Chiang Mai officially celebrated Loi Krathong (the Festival of Lights) in November, but the dazzling extravaganza is repeated in part on New Year's Eve. Revelers gather on Thapae Road for food stalls, musicians, dancers and paper lanterns released into the sky.
courtesy natasha dragun