The Best New Year's Eve Destinations

360 Private Travel
4 minutes ago
4 min read

Night city skyline with fireworks lighting up the sky above waterfront. Reflections on a building's glass facade create a vibrant scene.

Whether your wish is to see in the new year surrounded by loved ones on a family-friendly escape to Dubai or the Maldives, to sip champagne cocktails in London, attend a black tie gala in New York, or to mix celebration with thrilling adventures in Brazil, we will help make your New Year’s Eve sensational. Here are our best New Year's Eve Destinations.

New York: NYE in the City That Never Sleeps

From the world-famous Times Square Ball Drop and a soirée at the wonderful Summit observation deck atop Midtown Manhattan's tallest skyscraper, to champagne toasts and live jazz in hidden speakeasies, New York offers a myriad ways to count down to 2026. Stay at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, for a sublime base for celebrations. Think three-course dining at Dowling’s at the Carlyle before venturing out to join the throngs as the ball drops in Times Square, or a private evening in your suite with sweeping city views animated by the sparkle of thousands of fireworks.

Crowd in Times Square celebrating, wearing festive hats. Colourful confetti fills the air amidst bright billboards and a vibrant night sky.

Dubai: A Sky-High Celebration with Maroon 5

This year, Atlantis The Palm will host an open-air Gala Dinner, soundtracked by Maroon 5 performing live as a kaleidoscope of pyrotechnics animates the skies. Family travellers are well catered for, with the Asateer Tent transformed into a festive playground for children, complete with a slide, bouncy castle and outdoor cinema, a perfect distraction, while adults toast the arrival of 2026. Stay at Atlantis The Royal, the neighbouring property, where guests enjoy seamless access to the gala. After the festivities, return to sweeping sea and Palm views from a Sky Terrace Suite or indulge in a spot of Michelin-starred dining at the wonderful Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant.

Crowd at night event with vibrant fireworks in the sky. Large building, stage with lights, and colorful tent in the background. Festive mood.

London: NYE at Shangri-La The Shard

There is no better view of the iconic London skyline than from Shangri-La, The Shard. Indulge in a private view of the fireworks from a city view room, with sweeping vistas of the Thames.

Ferris wheel illuminated against a backdrop of vibrant fireworks in the night sky, creating a festive and celebratory atmosphere.

As the evening begins, the property transforms into a series of chic experiences with lavish dinners at TĪNG and Hutong, while the stylish interiors of GŎNG Bar on Level 52 (the highest hotel bar in Europe!) come alive with DJs and chic cocktails.

Maldives: Latin Festivities on Rangali Island

The islands, white fringed and paradisiacal as ever, take on a playful tone with local plants arranged as Christmas trees, Santa Claus arriving by catamaran, and beachside celebrations under palms.

Beachside dining at sunset with lit tables and people under palm trees, warm glow, vibrant sky, creating a relaxed, romantic atmosphere.

Celebrate at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, where a curated festive itinerary is set to be infused with Latin American energy. Expect samba beats soundtracking vibrant barefoot celebrations with fiery performances, sumptuous seafood feasts, and fireworks reflected in the impossible blues of the Indian Ocean.

Berlin: Experience a NYE Street Party

Around a million people celebrate in the open air across a 1.6-mile stretch of Germany’s capital between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. The festivities run well into the night with live music, DJs, laser shows, food, and fireworks. For excellent access, but just far enough away to get a bit of sleep if you want it, stay at the superb Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte Hotel, beautifully set on historic Bebelplatz in the heart of Berlin.

Fireworks explode in colorful patterns above the illuminated Brandenburg Gate at night, creating a festive and vibrant atmosphere.

From 10 pm on December 31st, the hotel’s ground floor transforms into a lively promenade, enlivened with atmospheric bars and a food market with cooking stations. If you prefer a more formal celebration, then take a seat in the CHIARO restaurant for a lavish six-course gala dinner, complete with wine pairings and a champagne toast at midnight on the view-laden rooftop terrace.

Brazil: NYE On Copacabana Beach

Embark on a 12-day journey through Brazil, combining cultural highlights, sublime nature, and iconic festivities. You’ll begin in São Paulo and the staggering Iguassu Falls, and stay in the excellent Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel. After exploring the beauty of the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian perspectives, we’ll transfer you to Rio’s Copacabana Beach.

Nighttime view of a beach crowded with people watching vibrant red and pink fireworks over the water, city lights shimmering in the background.

Here, you’ll stay at the iconic Emiliano Rio, an SLH Hotel for front-row views of the world-renowned Réveillon fireworks. With its sleek rooftop pool and chic design, the hotel offers a haven above the energy of Copacabana. On New Year’s Eve, the beachfront transforms into a sea of music, celebration, and dazzling fireworks, making it one of the most spectacular countdowns in the world.

Bangkok: Riverside Elegance at The Peninsula

Annual celebrations at The Peninsula Bangkok are some of the best in the city, with dining options at the River Café & Terrace, or under the stars on the Peninsula Lawn with live entertainment, music, and exceptional firework views over the river.

Colourful fireworks explode over a city skyline at night, reflecting in the river below. Numerous buildings are illuminated, creating a festive mood.

If you want to join the throngs of New Year’s Eve revellers in Central Bangkok, then head for CentralWorld, which is filled with light shows, food markets, and DJs for NYE, or perhaps follow the local traditions and head to a temple like Wat Arun, with its stunning illuminated stupas, to light incense and reflect on the New Year.

Scotland: Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Traditional NYE celebrations in Scotland serve as an excellent introduction to Edinburgh, with its marvellous Torchlight Procession winding from the Meadows through the old town, and ending beneath the towering visage of Edinburgh Castle.

Colourful fireworks burst over a historic cityscape at night, illuminating buildings with a festive glow, creating a celebratory atmosphere.

To enjoy it at its best, spend the night at the wonderful Gleneagles Townhouse, tucked into Saint Andrew Square’s elegant Georgian façades. Over Hogmanay, the Townhouse is a festive haven with crackling fires and rooftop views out onto the picturesque Edinburgh cobbles.

We can help you create a world-spanning luxury New Year’s Eve celebration. Whether it’s a midnight toast on a Maldivian beach, a glittering soirée in a European capital, or a family gathering shaped entirely around your vision, we’ll refine every detail, from the first hints of inspiration to the very first moments of 2026 (and beyond..).