Revealed: Best places to celebrate New Year's Eve 2023

We analysed public opinion of over 700 locations worldwide to find the best places in the world to celebrate the new year.

An Awe-Inspiring Celebration

Fireworks as the bells chime midnight, calling in the new year. Saying goodbye to the last year and hoping for good things in the next. The moment is celebrated by almost all 8 billion of us worldwide, but our new study reveals that out of the whole world, the fireworks are the most beautiful in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital earned its crown as the location with the most beautiful New Year celebrations based on the number of fireworks photos posted to Instagram, and the way people spoke about them in the captions.

The runners-up included Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Bay Lake in the USA, and Ras al Khaimah in the UAE. Other famous locations to celebrate which were considered beautiful include Hong Kong at 7th, London 8th, and Sydney's Harbour Bridge fireworks placed 10th.

Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Hogmanay – the Scottish New Year’s celebration – is generally considered one of the most important Scottish holidays and is loved by Scots and visitors alike. The fireworks display as the new year begins is a huge part of the celebrations, and at midnight on the new year they erupt over Edinburgh Castle. With such a beautiful backdrop it’s easy to see why this firework display claimed the top spot in our study.

Alongside the spectacular fireworks, Hogmanay is celebrated as a multi-day festival across the city, with events such as a torchlight procession, live music concerts, family events, a massive street party, traditional dancing, and even a costumed parade that ends with a cold dip in the river!

How We Found the Most Beautiful Fireworks

To find the most beautiful fireworks display, we analysed 730 locations worldwide, and the New Year's Eve fireworks displays posted to Instagram for each of them. We made a shortlist of the 50 places which people posted about the most and then found the places where the captions most often talked about the beauty of the fireworks display.

But although fireworks add beauty and awe to the celebrations, New Year's Eve isn’t just about them. We also analysed where in the world you can find the best New Year’s Party.

Finding the Best NYE Party

To do this we used a similar technique – again analysing over 700 locations on Instagram and making a shortlist of 50 locations for which New Year’s Eve parties are talked about the most. Then, we used sentiment analysis to find which location’s parties were talked about most positively, and so find the parties which brought the most collective joy.

NYE in NYC

New York City has the best New Year’s Eve parties in the world - our study has proven it once and for all. The celebration in Times Square is so iconic it has become synonymous with the New Year, and the image of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball dropping down the flagpole as the revellers countdown to zero is recognisable throughout the world.

The city estimates that one million people fill Times Square on New Year’s Eve every year, and over a billion watch the celebrations live across the world. The celebrations last over 6 hours and include music, celebrity performances, and of course fireworks.

A Global Tradition

It’s hard to compete with a global tradition that an eighth of the world shares in, but the runners-up for the best New Year’s Eve Parties include London, Delhi, Toronto, and Los Angeles. Each is known for spectacular annual events which draw gigantic crowds every year and are watched live from home by millions.

No Matter How Small

Our study didn’t just take into account the large gatherings and celebrations in these cities. It also considered the smaller events and even house parties – if it was posted on Instagram anywhere in the city, we analysed it! With space limited in Times Square, our research also revealed and analysed the thousands of other parties happening in New York City which people are enjoying just as much!

Countdowns & Costs

When it comes to New Year's Eve parties, New York City stands out as the ultimate destination for a night packed with excitement and festivities. However, before planning to attend the Times Square celebrations, or any other celebrations in the city, keep in mind that New York City is the third most expensive city in the world. If you're considering joining the festivities, you might want to ask Santa for some extra funds at Christmas! The easiest and cheapest way to send money internationally is by using money transfer providers, as these services often offer better exchange rates, lower fees, and shorter transfer delivery times, so you can focus on the celebrations and not worry about your wallet!

Final Note

Jonathan Merry, Founder of MoneyTransfers.com, commented on the findings, stating:

This study highlights the cultural significance of New Year's Eve in all cultures around the world – and also the impact they have on local economies. While Edinburgh and New York have proven to be top destinations for their stunning fireworks displays and lively parties, travellers always need to consider their finances when attending such events. Planning ahead and utilizing cost-effective options like money transfer providers can help individuals make the most of their New Year's Eve experience without breaking the bank.

Jonathan Merry, Founder of MoneyTransfers.com