Great party places for New Year's Eve 2020
The island state of Samoa is the first to enter the year 2020, and 24 hours later, Hawaii rings in New Year's Eve celebrations. In between: colorful fireworks light up cities worldwide.
Montreal
Dressed warmly, the fireworks at the harbor in Montreal, Canada, are a delight. Even if you don't have it all to yourself: up to 70,000 people attend every year. Ice skating and a snowshoe hike are also part of the New Year's Eve party in Quebec's largest city. To warm up, you can spend the rest of the night dancing in the city's many clubs.
Dubai
Even if the Islamic New Year is not celebrated until August 20, 2020: In Dubai they traditionally have a blast on Western New Year's Eve. On the beach, in a luxury resort or anywhere else in the city — the view of the fireworks is certain everywhere. It is the largest pyrotechnics show in the region, and it goes off simultaneously at several hundred locations in the city.
Rio de Janeiro
Go to Brazil for New Year's Eve? Absolutely! On Copacabana in Rio it gets romantic at midnight: Fireworks sparkle over the sea, people throw flowers into the water and light candles. Samba is the rhythm of the beach parties. Those who wear white clothes, like the Brazilians do on New Year's night, can hope for peace and happiness in the New Year.
Berlin
This party has become a classic among the New Year's Eve parties: More than a million people gather in Berlin between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Living up to its reputation of a party city, the celebrations continue on the street well after the midnight fireworks have died down.
London
Oldie but Goldie: The New Year is welcomed in the British capital with Big Ben ringing from the Houses of Parliament. Then fireworks are set off over the Thames River. Those wishing for the best view of this spectacle should head to the London Eye, Europe's biggest Ferris wheel, but tickets are very hard to get.
Paris
On the Champ de Mars and on the Place du Trocadero, there is none of the noise or nasty smells usually associated with fireworks. Instead, you can enjoy a light and laser show that elegantly illuminates the Eiffel Tower. On the Champs-Elysees, with a view of the Arc de Triomphe, Parisians and visitors gather to embrace and wish each other "Bonne annee."
Rome
The meeting spot of Christians from around the world is the Piazza San Pietro, St. Peter's Square. They gather there on the last night of the year to wait for the Pope to arrive at St. Peter's Basilica, where he personally celebrates the New Year's Mass. Tickets for the service are free of charge, but usually run out quickly as there are only 10,000 available.
Prague
Here, the fireworks launched from the surrounding hills illuminate the golden roofs of the Czech capital. The custom here is to cut an apple in half — if the pips form a star, then you are said to be in for good fortune in the coming year. If the pips form the shape of a cross, though, it might be a good idea to cut another apple in half.
Madrid
There's a big party on the Puerta del Sol, the central square in the historical city center. In addition to sparkling wine, you should be sure to bring some grapes to the party. It is the tradition in Spain to eat a grape every time the bell chimes at midnight. Couples often feed each other with the grapes. It is said to bring luck in the New Year.
Geneva
A slightly more expensive way to see in the New Year is by watching the fireworks while having a glass of champagne after a six-course meal on board a paddle-wheel steamer on Lake Geneva. The setting is very romantic, as the shores of the biggest French-Swiss lake are artistically lit when darkness descends.