After the Christmas celebrations with friends and family, there’s still one final bash to say good bye to 2014 and bring in 2015 with a bang. 1. New York City, USA There are very few places that can stand up to the fun and celebratory atmosphere of New York on New Year’s Eve. It was first time in 1907 that, the iconic ball, a 12 foot sphere that weighs 11,875 pounds was dropped at midnight from a flagpole on the of Times Square and it has become a customary event, the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. Celebrity music acts, pyrotechnic light show and the New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall where people write down their wishes for the New Year draws over a million people to bring in the New Year festivities. 2. London, UK The biggest party of the year sees more than 250,000 people gathering along the banks of River Thames and the bars and restaurants near it. As the Big Ben strikes midnight, a 10 minute lightshow with fireworks display at the backdrop of London eye, House of Parliament and the Westminster fills the city and so begins the festivities as London is the last of European capitals to bring in the New Year. The New Year’s Day witnesses a three-hour parade in the streets of Central London with colorful floats, marching bands, costumed dancers with a procession of Queen’s horses. 3. Sydney, Australia One of the first cities to bring in the New Year, Sydney, is world known for its New Year’s Eve light show. The pyrotechnic display sets the Sydney Harbor and the Opera House with lights and fireworks while the Sydney Harbor Bridge becomes the center of celebrations as fireworks display off from river barges and rooftop. The Harbor of Light Parade, Acknowledgement of Country presentation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking ceremony, aerial acrobatics are some of the main events of the New Year celebrations. 4. Edinburg, Scotland A four-day festival, “Hogmany”, marks the celebrations for New Year’s that is counted in some of the liveliest New Year Eve’s event. The celebration that sees around 250,000 partygoers from the world begins with a torchlight procession followed by a traditional Celtic party with live music and entertainment. At midnight the Edinburg skyline is ablaze with 4.5 tons of pyrotechnics and the crowds can be heard singing to “Auld Lang Syne”. The New Year’s Day sees more of fun activities like dry dog sledding across Holyrood Park to swimming in the chilled water of Loony Dock. 5. Las Vegas, USA The party capital of the world sees over 300,000 people for the biggest celebration of the year. Live bands, pyrotechnic display, laser shows throughout the Las Vegas strip can be enjoyed the whole night as the famed strip becomes car-free and firework-friendly and it turns into a big street party. Gamble your regrets away and start afresh as Vegas holds its head high for the being the best partying place even on New Year’s Eve. 6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil World famous for its carnivals, the New Year’s celebrations come a close second. The Copacabana beach sees the celebrations with heavy music, carnival styled costumes, dance performances and other attractions to keep the crowd entertained. More than 200,000 people can be seen wearing white (color said to bring good luck for New Year’s), tossing flowers in the Ocean (a gift to Yemanja, Goddess of the Sea), drinking champagne and dancing the samba till the processions begin. 7. Reykjavik, Ireland The northernmost capital city of the world sees only four daylight hours during the Christmas season so they have all the more reason to begin the party early. The Reykjavik Cathedral holds an evening mass after which locals gather around huge bonfires, play music and dance the night away. As the clock strikes 12, the city erupts in fireworks and people gather around the famous landmarks to see the firework that aims to rival the Northern lights. It is only after midnight that the party swings in to action. 8. Berlin, Germany A massive street party with live bands and lightshow has become a tradition of sorts since the infamous fall of Berlin wall. With more than 100,000 people reveling in the countdown to midnight, “Silvester” (New Year), is the liveliest time to be in German capital. The 2 km stretch between Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburger gate) and Siegessaule (Victory Column) becomes the party venue with live music, video screens, party tents and refreshments making the city a vibrant party destination.
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