New Year's Eve Greatest Places to Ring In the New Year

Where will you be on New Year's Eve? Here are some ideas for amazing places to visit when you really want to usher in the new year in a memorable way. Let the countdown begin!

Millennium Island, Kiribati

New Year's Eve Millennium Island, Kiribati

Though some may argue over the exact spot, Millennium Island in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, just east of the international date line, is recognized by many as being the first place in the world to see the sun rise every Jan. 1. (The island, formerly called Caroline Island, got its new name during the build-up to the 2000 New Year.) Unfortunately, the island is in danger of disappearing due to rising seas, as it is only 6 meters above water level. Kiribati's island chain also includes Christmas Island, the world's largest coral atoll.

Paris

Paris

The Eiffel Tower is the place to be in Paris on New Year's Eve. At the stroke of midnight, fireworks light up the night and calls of “Bonne Année!” ring out along the Champs-Élyseés. Or for something different, set yourself up in the plaza in front of the Sacre Coeur Cathedral in Montmartre: You’ll get an unrivaled view over the entire City of Light. Don't forget to bring along a handful of papillottes , chocolate treats that pop when you unwrap them.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Each Dec. 31, millions gather at Copacabana beach to watch a dazzling 20-minute display of pyrotechnics launched from 11 barges, each loaded with 1,200 fireworks. During the event, called Reveillon, fireworks exploding over the beach will be synchronized with sound effects, and this year, the logo for the 2016 Olympics will be unveiled. Four musical stages on the beach will get crowds pumped up early with plenty of live music.

London

London

On Dec. 31, Big Ben will officially ring in 2011 when it chimes at the stroke of midnight. That kicks off the traditional fireworks display behind the London Eye. The best viewing areas are across the river on the Victoria Embankment and on the Waterloo and Westminster bridges, which will be closed to car traffic around 6 p.m. Those who don't want to battle the crowds can catch the fireworks on the viewing screens in Parliament Square.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

In Edinburgh, Hogmanay is a four-day celebration to honor the last day of the year. Festivities kick off with a torchlight procession, followed by a huge street festival with music and dancing, and wrap up with fireworks over Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill. In the past, Viking longboats have been part of the torchlight procession — in a nod to Hogmanay's pagan roots — and then burned.

Sydney

Sydney

Sydney, west of the  international date line, welcomed 2010 while New Yorkers were still enjoying their morning coffee at 8 a.m. EST. The big bang begins at midnight local time, with an estimated 1.5 million revelers watching fireworks exploding from barges on the harbor, the rooftops of city skyscrapers and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The fireworks display has been known to last for up to 25 minutes.

New York's Times Square

New York's Times Square

Times Square has been the focal point of New Year’s celebrations since 1907, when the first ball dropped on One Times Square. This year will be no different, and people will begin squeezing into the area from 42nd to 47th streets between Broadway and Seventh Avenue early in the afternoon. At 11:59 p.m., the New Year’s Eve ball will begin its descent as a million voices start counting down. The geodesic sphere, designed by Waterford Crystal and featuring 960 crystal triangles lit from within, will drop 70 feet in 60 seconds.

Ecuador

Ecuador

To celebrate the new year, Ecuadoreans create effigies called años viejos (“old years”), which represent people and events from the past year. Stuffed dummies — made of straw, newspaper and old clothes, with papier-mâché masks — are often used to portray unpopular political characters or leaders. At midnight, the effigies are set on fire to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the New Year. Since the dummies are often stuffed with firecrackers, the purging ceremony comes with plenty of racket.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas

On New Year’s Eve, the usually clogged Strip will be closed to vehicular traffic for a giant street party. Walk among thousands of other revelers spilling out of hotels from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere, all awaiting the huge fireworks show at midnight that adds even more sparkle to the city of neon. Nearby on Fremont Street, the fireworks are shown on the massive LED canopy while tribute bands provide live entertainment.

Seattle

Seattle

More than 20,000 people gather at the base of the Space Needle to watch the elevators rise from the base as the countdown to New Year’s begins. When the elevators reach the top, pyrotechnics explode from all sides of the 605-foot tower — including more than 200 feet above the roof — turning it into a giant and colorful sparkler.

Disneyland

Disneyland

Fireworks light up the sky almost every night at Disneyland, so you know that for New Year's Eve, the California theme park goes all out to make the performance memorable. Get there early, as the best viewing spots, right in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, are also the most crowded. It's a Small World gives you a great view, as well, and also try near the Rivers of America in Frontierland.

New Orleans

New Orleans

In a twist on New York’s ball drop, New Orleans revelers will count down to 2011 as a giant, black and gold fleur-de-lis is lowered above the Jax Brewery Condominiums. The event starts at 9 p.m. with live music in Jackson Square, with the Queen of Soul Irma Thomas and others. At midnight, spectacular fireworks light up the sky over the Mississippi River.