With 2022 rolling to a close, Christmas markets visited and shopping lists checked off, the obvious next occasion to plan for is New Year’s Eve. How to spend it, where to spend it, and whom to spend it with? Are you looking to start 2023 with a BANG, or keep it low-key with beautiful views and loving company?
This week we travel the world once more in search of New Year’s Eve inspiration that offers something for everyone, from summer sun seekers and crowd surfers to nature lovers and adventure hunters.
FOR THE SUMMER SUN SEEKERS
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
Eager to put 2022 behind you and excitedly waiting for what 2023 might bring? Why not start the new year earlier than most of the world and celebrate in New Zealand? This is possible due to New Zealand’s position on the International Date Line, making it one of the first countries that welcome the new year.
Party at the lakefront in Queenstown that offers a beautiful view, live music and fireworks or spend the night bar-crawling and enjoy the music and drinks. With over 55 bars in Queenstown, you won’t be running out of options before we run out of the year.
With a country as beautiful as New Zealand, why not extend your trip and explore some of the beautiful landscapes this country has to offer?
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Staying in the southern hemisphere, and speaking of beautiful views and summer sun, consider booking a flight to where sand and sea meet the majestic (sometimes cloud-covered) Table Mountain in Cape Town. Here the party doesn’t have to start at 8 PM, it can start at 8 AM. Hop on one of the City’s open-top tour busses and take in the sights, hop off and explore the city or go wine tasting. Alternatively, you can make your way to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy a beer and light lunch.
When 8 PM rolls around ring in the new year at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden with your family at the New Year’s Eve Summer Sunset concert. Located at the eastern foot of Table Mountain you can enjoy a picnic and some bubbly with plenty of food stalls available for the occasion.
For the less family-friendly events celebrate the evening at the V&A Waterfront with bars and hotel events. Be entertained by live music, DJs, dancers and performers and a laser show to countdown to the new year. At midnight the festivities end with an amazing firework display over the harbour.
FOR THE BUCKET LIST CHECKERS
NEW YORK CITY, USA
Moving to the Northern Hemisphere we simply have to mention New York City, and we are just going to come out and say it, any New Year’s Eve list is incomplete without mentioning the BIG APPLE. The Times Square Ball Drop is iconic and the experience is definitely bucket-list worthy. With numerous events and parties taking place throughout the city, rooftop views of the ball drop, luxury yacht dinners or dancing at any club or bar you won’t have trouble filling the hours till midnight when you get to enjoy the magnificent firework display.
While many might have this item on their list of experiences to check off, be prepared for cold weather and tons and tons of people. Not scared off, and sounds right up your alley? Off you go!
FOR THOSE WITH STAMINA
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
If one night simply isn’t enough to celebrate the end of 2022, make your way to Edinburgh in Scotland to join the 3-day Hogmanay Festival. While Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year or New Year’s Eve, the celebration usually lasts for about 3 days. The torchlight procession on December 30th kicks off the celebrations. December 31st has concerts, fireworks and street parties to enjoy while January 1st has the Loony Dook (a morning dunk in the river) – we take it the Loony Dook is to sober up from the previous two nights before continuing the celebrations… While the Loony Dook has been removed from the official Edinburgh Hogmanay program, locals and visitors can still enjoy community dips and dooks in surrounding areas. Unlike other parts of the United Kingdom, Scotland observes the 2nd of January 2023 as a public holiday and the 3rd of January 2023, so the fun definitely continues after the dook.
This festival is filled with Scottish traditions, and we might just bump New York down a notch on the Bucket list as this festival sounds like a lot of fun!
FOR THE ADVENTURERS
ICELAND
We know adding Iceland as a whole to the list for New Year’s Eve is breaking the pattern of cities mentioned above. And while Reykjavik offers a New Year’s Eve bonfire tour or New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise – it’s not quite the adventure we have in mind. We include Iceland in its entirety for those seeking adventure this New Year, feeling that the “usual” New Year’s parties are over-rated and you would much rather spend it closer to nature in the quiet winter scenery.
We are talking about tours to black sand beaches and exploring ice caves, waterfalls or glaciers. Dashing to the countryside where the night’s darkness covers you like a blanket only for the northern lights to shine brightly and vividly, amazing you with their beauty. When you ache from the cold and your eyes have been amazed by the lights, seek out the geothermal swimming pools to complete your experience.
Wherever you end up sending your New Year’s Eve, and whomever you choose to spend it with, from all of us at LUXE, we wish you a magical night and a very happy new year!
