New Year’s Eve is a time to bring in the new year with pomp and pageantry, dazzling fireworks, resolutions and good wishes galore. But which iconic city around the world has the best celebrations? We pick out five of the most spectacular New Year’s Eve events.

Sydney, Australia
Sydney is one of the first cities around the globe to welcome the new year – 11 hours ahead of London – and is famed for its spectacular fireworks display every year. A staggering 1.6 million visitors are expected to take to the harbourside to watch the show, with millions more watching the spectacle on TV. This year’s celebration’s theme is ‘Shine’, a word that symbolises sunny Sydney and its sparkling harbour, led by artist, musician and creative ambassador Reg Mombassa.

Edinburgh, Scotland
One of the places to be on New Year’s Eve, the world-famous Hogmanay festival spans three days, beginning with a torch-lit procession on December 30th, with 8,500 torchbearers illuminating the streets of the historic city from George IV Bridge to Calton Hill. Visitors will be able to enjoy the flagship Concert in the Gardens – taking place on New Year’s Eve – with headline acts including the Pet Shop Boys and The 1975 as well as plenty of homegrown talent. Further thousands will dance the night away in the world’s largest outdoor nightclub along the length of Princes Street, to the beats of world-renowned DJs. The main event is of course the fireworks, which rise up from Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill to an inspirational soundtrack.

New York City, USA
Hang out with approximately one million other revellers in the famous Times Square for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – a global tradition since 1904. Raised atop a flagpole on One Time’s Square building, the sparkling Waterford Crystal ball is lowered in time with the New Year countdown. Opening ceremonies begin at 6pm when the New Year’s Eve Ball is lit and raised up, followed by musical performances, hourly countdowns and lastly a huge pyrotechnic display.

London, UK
Bring in the new year with a bang in the capital, with the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display from the EDF Energy London Eye on the South Bank. As the clock strikes 12, Big Ben’s famous 'bongs' will chime, building up the excitement for the launch of the first firework, before the pyrotechnic display fills the sky with dazzling colour to a specially created musical soundtrack. Once the fireworks come to an end, visitors gather together for a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is the belle of the ball for its spectacular New Year spectacular, the biggest in the event’s history. Join the thousands along the harbour to enjoy the eight-minute pyromusical display which lights up the skies above the iconic Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fireworks and light show will be visible for miles around, lighting up the waterfront and surrounding skyscrapers. What’s more, a ‘ripple’ of light and sound will cross the water, linking Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula and turning Victoria Harbour into one grand stage.

Follow us @travelbite