New year’s eve destinations: where to spend the night to see the most amazing fireworks shows
18 décembre 2025
As midnight nears, some cities turn the sky into a light show.
Travellers book their New Year’s Eve destinations early to catch the best countdowns and most spectacular fireworks displays. If you’re searching for the best European city for New Year’s Eve, this guide covers both iconic hotspots and unexpected picks - whether you want a big riverside party, a snowy escape, or a seaside celebration.
Indice
- 1. Best European Cities for New Year's Eve
- 2. Underrated New Year's Eve Destinations
- 3. Best Winter Destinations for New Year's Eve
- 4. Cheap New Year's Eve Destinations
- 5. Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Destinations
- 6. Romantic New Year's Eve Destinations
1. Best European Cities for New Year's Eve
London, UK
For many travellers, London is the classic answer when asking which is the best European city where New Year’s Eve celebrations are held in.
Along the Thames, the skyline around the London Eye and Big Ben becomes the backdrop to a perfectly choreographed fireworks show, synced to music and broadcast worldwide.
Ticketed viewing areas open in the early evening (from around 7 pm), and once you are inside your zone you can settle in, soak up the build-up and enjoy the countdown to midnight.
After the show, bars, clubs and late-night cafés across the city keep the party going. If you are flying via London Stansted, Flibco shuttles connect the airport to the city, making it easy to focus on the fun rather than the drive or parking.
Paris, France
Across the Channel, Paris offers a more romantic take on the big-city celebration.
The Champs-Élysées fills with people heading towards the Arc de Triomphe, where a spectacular sound-and-light show and video mapping take over the monument before an impressive burst of fireworks at midnight.
There is no official firework show at the Eiffel Tower, but its shimmering lights add extra magic to the skyline.
With Flibco buses from Charleroi and Beauvais, you can reach the French capital without worrying about motorway tolls or late-night driving.
Milan
Milan rounds out this trio of best European cities for New Year’s Eve, especially if you like combining culture, shopping and celebrations.
In Piazza del Duomo, a free open-air concert brings live music and a festive crowd to the foot of the cathedral, often followed by fireworks lighting up the historic centre.
Nearby streets are lined with Christmas lights, aperitivo bars and late-opening restaurants, so you can grab a last espresso or panettone before the countdown.
Thanks to Flibco’s airport connections, you can step off the plane and head straight into the heart of the party:
2. Underrated New Year's Eve Destinations
Valparaíso, Chile
If you are looking for underrated New Year’s Eve destinations, Valparaíso in Chile is hard to beat.
On the last night of the year, the whole bay becomes a giant open-air amphitheatre as one of South America’s largest coordinated fireworks displays erupts from multiple barges and coastal points, lighting up the Pacific for around twenty minutes.
Street parties spill through Valparaíso and neighbouring Viña del Mar, with live music, food stalls and dancing that often continues until dawn.
Because it is summertime in the southern hemisphere, you can celebrate outdoors in mild night temperatures, perhaps in a T-shirt rather than a thick winter coat.
Tallinn, Estonia
On the other side of the world, Tallinn offers a very different but equally memorable New Year.
The Estonian capital’s medieval Old Town, dusted with snow, feels like a storybook setting as people gather in Town Hall Square for open-air concerts from the early evening.
By the time the countdown begins, the Christmas tree is glowing, music fills the square and everyone is ready for the midnight show, which may feature fireworks, lasers or a modern light display over the city’s rooftops, depending on the year’s programme.
Compared with many capitals, Tallinn remains relatively affordable, so you can treat yourself to a cosy restaurant meal or a rooftop viewpoint without blowing the whole travel budget.
If you like the idea of cool New Year’s Eve destinations in every sense of the word, you may have just found your match.
3. Best Winter Destinations for New Year's Eve
Reykjavik, Iceland
For truly best winter destinations for New Year’s Eve, Reykjavik is hard to beat.
The celebrations start early with community bonfires around the city, where locals gather to sing, chat and warm up by the flames before the night really begins.
As midnight approaches, the sky slowly fills with rockets launched from gardens, streets and viewpoints all over town, building into an almost 360-degree firework panorama that feels both chaotic and magical.
The long, dark winter night makes every spark stand out more vividly, so you will definitely want warm layers and good boots if you head out to watch.
Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo offers a different kind of winter magic.
During the day, snow and ice festivals fill Odori Park with huge sculptures, frozen castles and themed displays that you can walk around, photograph and admire from every angle.
In the evening, countdown events bring music and food stalls, leading up to a midnight firework show above the snow-covered park.
If you love the idea of snowy New Year’s Eve destinations with hot springs, cosy hotels and Japanese hospitality, this northern city is an unforgettable choice.
Many travellers reach these intercontinental hubs via major European airports first, which you can easily access using Flibco routes such as Milan–Malpensa or Turin – Malpensa.
4. Cheap New Year's Eve Destinations
Prague, Czech Republic
If you are searching for cheap New Year’s Eve destinations without sacrificing atmosphere, Prague is a brilliant choice.
As midnight approaches, crowds gather along the Vltava River and around Charles Bridge to watch colourful fireworks burst above the spires and castle skyline, reflecting in the water below.
Earlier in the evening, street performers, small stages and bustling pubs keep the city buzzing, so you can move easily between an outdoor concert and a cosy bar.
Accommodation, food and public transport are all reasonably priced compared to many Western capitals, making Prague one of the best destinations for New Year’s Eve on a budget.
Krakow, Poland
Krakow is another excellent option if you want cheap destinations for New Year’s Eve with plenty of charm.
The open-air party in the Main Market Square usually kicks off around 8 pm, with live music, light shows and a friendly mix of locals and visitors.
At midnight, fireworks and illuminations frame the Cloth Hall and St Mary’s Basilica, creating a genuinely cinematic backdrop.
During the day, you can explore Wawel Castle, wander the historic Kazimierz district or warm up with pierogi and hot chocolate in a traditional café.
For travellers who want an authentic experience without overspending, Krakow is hard to beat.
5. Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Destinations
Orlando, Florida, USA
When it comes to family friendly New Year’s Eve destinations, Orlando is an easy win.
World-famous theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios roll out special New Year’s Eve programmes from late afternoon, with parades, character appearances and extra shows to keep children entertained.
Many parks schedule their big fireworks around 11.30 pm, so younger guests can enjoy the full spectacle without too late a bedtime.
Restaurants inside and around the parks often serve set menus or themed dinners, making it simple for you to turn the whole evening into one seamless celebration. Just remember to book tickets and tables well in advance as NYE dates sell out quickly.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen offers a more classic European take on family fun.
At Tivoli Gardens, New Year’s Eve means twinkling lights, wintery decorations, rides, concerts and food stalls all wrapped into one nostalgic package.
Festivities begin in the early evening and build up to a stunning midnight fireworks display that you can watch from inside the park or nearby viewpoints in the city.
Excellent public transport and a compact centre make it easy to get everyone back to the hotel after midnight.
If you are looking for the best family New Year’s Eve destinations with plenty of charm, Tivoli’s mix of amusement park magic and Danish “hygge” is hard to beat.
6. Romantic New Year's Eve Destinations
Santorini, Greece
For many couples, Santorini is the very definition of romantic New Year’s Eve destinations.
The evening can start with a sunset dinner at a cliffside restaurant overlooking the caldera, where candlelit tables, local dishes and Greek wines set a slow, intimate pace for the night.
Later, you might step aboard a private boat cruise, circling the island’s coast as fireworks at midnight reflect in the Aegean Sea.
After the countdown, the narrow streets of Oia stay softly lit, perfect for a quiet walk hand-in-hand before heading back to your hotel.
Venice
Venice offers a different kind of romance, rich in music and tradition.
You could begin at Teatro La Fenice, where the New Year period is often marked by classical concerts, then continue to Piazza San Marco for live music, dancing and a friendly, international crowd from around 9 pm onwards.
At midnight, fireworks over the lagoon and Grand Canal turn domes, campanili and palazzi into silhouettes against the sky.
Whether you watch from the square, a vaporetto stop or a quieter fondamenta, Venice wraps the whole celebration in reflected light and water, a wonderfully cinematic way to welcome the year together.
If you are flying there, Flibco has recently launched a Bus from Treviso Airport to Venice!
Rome
Rome is one of the most exciting answers to the question of where to spend New Year’s Eve in Italy if you love history and big-city energy.
On 31 December, Circus Maximus turns into a giant open-air venue, with a free concert from around 9 pm featuring Italian and international artists and a shared countdown at midnight.
Up in Piazza del Popolo, celebrations usually start around 8 pm, with live music, dancing and plenty of spontaneous fireworks lighting up the night.
At midnight, organised displays over the Colosseum and surrounding areas add an unforgettable backdrop of ruins, domes and city roofs.
Public transport runs later than usual, but you will want to plan ahead, as crowds can be huge.
Take a direct Flibco bus from Fiumicino airport or from Ciampino airport to Termini Central Station if you want to quickly reach the city centre.
Naples
Further south, Naples delivers a louder, more spontaneous take on New Year’s Eve.
A free concert in Piazza del Plebiscito sets the mood from around 9 pm, while the seafront “Lungomare Liberato” becomes a long party zone, with different music styles from 90s dance to nu-disco in each area.
Around 1.30 am, fireworks over Castel dell’Ovo explode above the bay, with the best views along the waterfront or from higher hillsides.
If you choose Naples, be prepared for local traditions like throwing old items from balconies, dress warmly and keep an eye on public transport timetables. The reward is a lively, authentic celebration framed by sea, city lights and the outline of Vesuvius.
London Fireworks picture credits: Nick M73 via Flickr.com
Valparaiso Fireworks picture credits: Renzo Stanley via Flickr.com
Prague Fireworks picture credits: Jan Fidler via Flickr.com
Disney castle in Orlando picture credits: Vovchic via Flickr.com
Santorini Fireworks over the bay picture credits: Sound & Fury via Flickr.com
Colosseum Fireworks picture credits: neigesdantan via Flickr.com
