5 Recommended places for countdown celebrations in the world
From confetti chaos to fireworks flexes, these global countdowns are how the world says hello to 2026
New Year’s Eve is one of those nights where the whole planet feels oddly synced. Different time zones, the same collective urge to scream at the sky, hug strangers, and believe, just for a second, that next year might actually deliver.
Somewhere, fireworks are already popping. Somewhere else, people are still choosing outfits. And in a few very specific places, the countdown hits harder, louder, brighter than anywhere else on Earth. From streets that turn into full-blown parties to landmarks that flex with lights, music, and serious main-character energy, these are the places that know how to send a year off properly.
On this page
| City (Click to jump to section) | Why it’s the best for New Year’s Eve |
| Times Square, New York City | The original global countdown, complete with the crystal ball drop, live performances, fireworks, and a confetti storm watched by millions worldwide. |
| Champs-Élysées, Paris | A citywide street party with pedestrian-only avenues, video mapping on the Arc de Triomphe, and fireworks that turn Paris into one shared countdown moment. |
| CentralWorld, Bangkok | Asia’s answer to Times Square, pairing skyline fireworks and drone shows with a massive Thai pop lineup and free entry in the heart of the city. |
| Brandenburg Gate, Berlin | A historic open-air party with DJs, food stalls, and fireworks exploding above one of Europe’s most iconic landmarks at midnight. |
| Burj Khalifa, Dubai | A high-production spectacle where fireworks, lasers, and light shows ripple across the world’s tallest building in a full-scale New Year production. |
1. Times Square, New York City
The ball drop in Times Square, New York City, has long been the defining image of how the world welcomes the New Year. What began as a New York tradition has become a global celebration, with millions watching and hundreds of thousands packing into the square beneath the towering LED screens.
If you want to do it properly, come early in the evening and settle in. The build-up matters as much as midnight, with hours of live music, crowd moments, and TV energy filling the square. For the best views, aim for Broadway or Seventh Avenue, where the screens and sound carry well, and the crystal ball stays clearly in sight.
This year, Ciara, B.o.B, Tones and I, Robyn, Maren Morris, Diana Ross, Little Big Town, LE SSERAFIM, and Ana Bárbara will take turns on stage as the hours slip by. Then, at 11:59pm, the Sixty Second Countdown begins as the crystal ball starts its descent, fireworks light the sky, and thousands of pounds of confetti pour from the rooftops, filled with wishes from around the world. Just after midnight, the celebration continues with a red, white, and blue confetti wave and a patriotic salute marking America’s 250th anniversary.
2. The Champs-Élysées, Paris
The Champs Élysées will be the hotspot for New Year’s Eve in Paris, and the city treats it as a shared street party rather than a spectacle you watch from afar. On December 31, the avenue becomes pedestrian-only from early evening, giving everyone space to wander, gather, and settle in as the energy builds. People line the Champs Élysées itself, facing towards the Arc de Triomphe, which hosts the monumental video mapping show and anchors the countdown.
For the 2026 countdown, the celebration focuses on the Paris of arts and ideas, with visuals that reflect the city’s culture, creativity, and sporting spirit. The programme also nods to the 70th anniversary of the Paris-Rome twinning and the landmark achievements of Paris Saint-Germain. As midnight approaches, the countdown pulls the crowd together, followed by fireworks above the Arc. Since it will be crowded, try to arrive early to get a good view and make the entry process easier.
3. CentralWorld, Bangkok
CentralWorld Bangkok has earned its reputation as one of the great countdown stages on the planet, and standing in the crowd makes it easy to see why people call it the Times Square of Asia. It’s a massive celebration, with towering screens, a vast open plaza, and a range of entertainment to welcome the New Year. For 2026, you’ll get to witness a new cityscape fireworks format that wraps around the skyline, paired with choreographed drone displays overhead.
At ground level, the digital countdown concert stage keeps things moving with immersive visuals and effects under the theme A Tribute to Love. The lineup reads like a who’s who of Thai pop culture, from PP Krit and Billkin Putthipong to Nont Tanont, Ink Waruntorn, PERSES, DICE, GELBOYS, 4EVE, Bowkylion, The TOYS, and Joey Boy. Add free entry, nationwide broadcasts, and live streams, and the whole night feels proudly local while reaching far beyond Bangkok.
4. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
Berlin does New Year’s Eve in a big, friendly way, and the main place everyone talks about is the Brandenburg Gate. This is where the city gathers for its headline countdown, with music, food stalls, and a party zone that stretches across the surrounding streets. The atmosphere is always open and upbeat, with people dancing, chatting, and soaking up the sense of history that comes with celebrating beneath one of Europe’s most recognisable landmarks.
The night builds with DJ sets that move from pop and throwbacks into heavier party beats as midnight approaches. When the countdown hits zero, the sky above the gate erupts in a fireworks display that lights up the city and sends cheers rolling through the crowd. Entry is ticketed, and access is organised through specific checkpoints, so be sure to arrive prepared.
5. Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve always feels like a full-scale production, and the Burj Khalifa sits right at the centre of it all. Downtown Dubai opens up with free public viewing zones along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and surrounding streets, all on a first-come basis. LED screens line the area, so even if you are further back, you still catch the fireworks, lasers, and light show as they ripple across the tower and the lake.
If you want something more curated, Burj Park is the only ticketed viewing spot, with guaranteed front row views and added entertainment. You can enjoy a Bollywood-themed programme created with Frontstage from Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chilies Entertainment, complete with live performances, food stalls, and activities for families.
Want to do New Year’s Eve right? Then do it somewhere that commits. Pick a city that closes the streets, turns the volume up, and lets midnight feel loud, ridiculous, and unforgettable.
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