New Year’s Eve Around the World

We love fireworks on New Year’s Eve to commemorate the end of a year and it’s a fun way to usher in a new year of hope, joy, and of course, more opportunities to satiate our wanderlust. 

Unfortunately, the pandemic has halted plans for big gatherings to watch the sky light up with colorful fireworks, but that just means we’ll cherish the moment when we all are able to gather in masses and celebrate the New Year properly. 

Until then, we’ll keep you inspired with some of our favorite places to ring in the New Year. 

Editor’s Note: Those who travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before traveling.

New York City
Wrapped in their coziest layers, hundreds of people watch the New Year’s Eve Ball – covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles – descend atop One Times Square along with millions of TV viewers around the world. Revelers in the Big Apple began celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but the famous ball didn’t make its appearance until 1907. LGBTQ locals and out-of-towners can keep the party going and walk a few blocks to Hell’s Kitchen to celebrate at The Spot, Atlas Social Club, Flaming Saddles, or The Q. Venture to the East Greenwich to grab a celebratory drink at the Stonewall Inn or dance the night away to disco music divas at Monster.

Key West
Queer travelers who want to enjoy balmy weather in the winter should travel to Key West. Traffic is blocked off on part of Duval Street so spectators can watch Sushi, a famous local drag queen, drop down in a red high heel at the Bourbon Street Pub. This is just one of four New Year’s Eve “drops” on the island. Head to the annual lowering of the Pirate Wench from atop the mast of a schooner at Schooner Wharf Bar. Sloppy Joe’s Bar has an annual conch shell drop and Sunset Pier at Ocean Key West is home to an annual free concert where a giant key lime wedge drops at midnight.

Chicago
Splurge a little at Chicago’s premier New Year’s Eve Countdown event, New Year on the Pier. Put on your best NYE attire and head to the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier to enjoy this over-the-top celebration highlighted by live entertainment, Chicago’s largest dance floor, an unforgettable countdown, and fireworks show over Lake Michigan at midnight. The other option is grabbing a spot at street level or at a nearby hotel or restaurant to watch the free mile-long fireworks show launch from Wolf Point to Lake Shore Drive along the Chicago River. Head to Chicago’s gayborhood, Northalsted, to continue celebrating the New Year.

San Francisco
The view of fireworks lighting up the sky with colorful bursts above the bay and iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge is a postcard-perfect moment! Choose from a variety of cruises – from high-end dinner cruises to 21+ party boats – that give you a great vantage point to gaze at the jaw-dropping fireworks display. You also have the option to claim a spot on the pier or nearby to watch the annual event which really takes place south of the Ferry Building near the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The City by the Bay also hosts the Fresh Start Festival, a three-day outdoor music event at The Midway that starts on New Year’s Eve. Consider ending your night with a trip to the historic Castro neighborhood to celebrate the New Year with other LGBTQ revelers.

Rio de Janeiro
We love how they celebrate in Rio – old traditions mixed with new ones. Locals don their sharpest white attire as a symbol of a new beginning, and flowers and candles are placed in the water to honor lemanjá, the Goddess of Sea and Water in the Candomblé and Umbanda religions. Thousands of people converge on Copacabana Beach to enjoy the firework display, live music, and champagne showers. Afterward, head to the popular gay club, The Week, to dance a DJs spin until the early morning hours.  New Year’s Eve in Rio is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and not to be missed.  

Berlin
Although it can get bitterly cold, Berlin’s fun vibe (or a new German friend) will keep you warm on New Year’s Eve. Start the night off with a bar crawl in Schöneberg, Berlin’s gayborhood, and enjoy good beer in one of several LGBT bars, such as Prinzknecht or Woof Berlin. Afterward, you can go to Brandenburg Gate, for the outdoor street party, DJs, food stalls, and of course, an elaborate fireworks display. 

Sydney
Head to the South Pacific for the big bang Down Under! As the largest city in Australia, Sydney doesn’t disappoint with its incredible fireworks display that lights up the sky over the Sydney Harbor and bridge. This fireworks show takes place at different stages throughout the evening, but the most elaborate stage kicks off at midnight. Even after a fun night, you should consider staying in the city for a few days. Check out our Queer Sydney Travel Guide for some great recommendations on what to see and do, including nude sunbathing at Little Congwong Beach and the Drag Brunch Pool Party at Poof Doof.  

Cape Town
Along with Sydney and Rio, Cape Town is definitely a contender as one of the top LGBTQ New Year’s destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. This South African city will welcome you with open arms, so round up your travel companions and start the night in Cape Town’s gayborhood, De Waterkant, for some cocktails and casual flirting. When it’s time, venture down to the V&A Waterfront to witness the New Year’s Eve spectacle, including live orchestral performances, parades, and of course, an incredible fireworks display. 

London
There’s no shortage of ways you can ring in the New Year in London – from a magical NYE cruise on the Thames to an unforgettable night of cocktails at The Rooftop to a non-stop dance party atop The Shard. London’s annual extravaganza is usually a public ticketed event that uses state-of-the-art technology and musical accompaniment to showcase the city’s best 2021 moments and to celebrate the year ahead. Continue ringing in the New Year and head to Soho, where you can grab a cocktail or pint at popular LGBTQ bars such as Comptons, Admiral Duncan, Duke of Wellington, Two Brewers, or Freedom Bar.

Taipei
By far, Taipei is one of the most welcoming cities for LGBTQ travelers. It was the first city to make same-sex marriage legal in Asia. So, if you’re looking for an exciting way to spend New Year’s Eve – Taipei is the place to be! The New Year’s countdown centers around the 101 building, where a fireworks display illuminates the sky above the tallest building in the city. Thousands of people gather in the streets and squares at around 10 pm to find the perfect vantage point to watch the fireworks as well as live performances from entertainers from all over Asia.  After the fireworks, four non-stop days of circuit parties are held in the Red House District (Wanhua), but you can easily have just as much fun at local bars, such as G-Paradise and Bear Junkies – both fun spots for beefy men.