World's Most Elaborate New Year's Eve Fireworks Displays

New Year's Eve fireworks displays are a tradition that seems to transcend all international borders. Chances are, wherever you find yourself this New Year's Eve, you will be within earshot of some local fireworks. Many capital cities make it an excuse for a mega street party with stunning fireworks lighting up the sky in a display that everyone can enjoy. We've scoured the globe to come up with what we consider are some of the world's best fireworks displays.

Sydney Will Start Off 2017 With a Bang!

While most of us will still be deciding what to wear, Sydney, Australia will already enjoying fireworks beneath the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is 11 hours ahead of London and 16 hours ahead of New York, so it is not only one of the first places to welcome the New Year, it is also one of the warmest!

Sydney celebrates New Year's Eve with two fireworks displays; one for families at 9pm and another for partygoers at midnight. From barges beneath Harbour Bridge the fireworks light up the Opera House and surrounding city, parks and shoreline. Thousands of people crowd onto the grassy banks of the river to enjoy picnics, laser lights, stunt planes, the Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony (to dispel the evil spirits of the last year) and the magnificent pyrotechnics. The Harbour of Light Parade has hundreds of illuminated boats that cruise around the 15km circuit providing a truly magical sight. This is definitely one New Year's Eve fireworks display to add to your bucket list!

New Year's Eve Fireworks Displays in New York

It's hard to beat Times Square, NY for atmosphere on New Year's Eve. If you can't be there in person it is always featured on TV as one of the most famous New Year's Eve parties in the world. The streets and squares are crowded with people celebrating New Year's Eve with complete strangers.

The famous countdown to the dropping of the sparkling Waterford crystal ball is a momentous occasion. As it drops, the sky is lit up with a colorful show. Best places to view the fireworks are Battery Park and Wagner Park - if you can't squeeze into Times Square itself, that is.

London Leads for Best Fireworks in Europe

The UK capital of London pulls out all the stops for New Year's Eve with celebrations at landmarks all over the city. Around 250,000 people take to the water and cruise up and down the River Thames for a prime view. A cheaper alternative is a ride on the Millennium Wheel, which is opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Big Ben's deep chime marks the stroke of midnight and the remaining 11 chimes are drowned by the sound of cheering and fireworks exploding in the overhead sky. This exuberant celebration certainly makes New Years one of the best times to visit England!

Beautiful New Year's Eve Fireworks Over London's Tower Bridge[/caption]Tradition sees many people gather in Trafalgar Square, jumping in the fountains, which are often filled with bubbles by partygoers. Even after the fireworks stop, it's not worth going to bed because New Year's Day 2017 will see a 3-hour parade through the streets, led by the Queen's horseguards with marching bands, colorful floats and dancers.

New Year's Eve in Paris

The city of Paris lives up to its nickname of 'City of Lights' on New Year's Eve. The Eiffel Tower is the backdrop for the spectacular lights show with fireworks at midnight and the Champs-Elysees makes a great outdoor area for partying. Expect lots of noisy popping - from champagne, small fireworks sold on the streets and papillotes (special chocolates that bang like firecrackers when opened!

Enjoy the sights from a romantic river cruise down the Seine or from the Tuileries Gardens nearby. In addition to beautiful New Year's Eve fireworks displays, there's lots of kissing at midnight, and remember, the French style is once on each cheek!

Hogmanay in Edinburgh

No nation celebrates New Year's Eve harder than Scotland where it is known as Hogmanay. Everyone takes to the streets of Edinburgh to enjoy the traditional events. There's a torchlight procession, bagpipes and a giant open-air Ceilidh (party with traditional Scottish dancing). Stages are erected all over the city to accommodate live bands and ale, whisky and champagne flow freely.

At midnight, Edinburgh unleashes one of the world's best New Year's Eve fireworks displays as 4 tons of pyrotechnic color and sound fill the air. Everyone crosses their arms and holds hands in long chains to sing the traditional song 'Auld Lang Syne.' Such is the party (and the hangovers afterwards) that Hogmanay in Scotland necessitates a two-day Bank Holiday to recover!

Auto Europe Wishes You a Safe and Prosperous 2017

Wherever you plan to celebrate New Year's Eve, we wish you a very Happy New Year from everyone at Auto Europe. We look forward to transporting you around the world in 2017 with our international transportation services, whether you need to rent a large van or exotic Ferrari, no request is too lavish for your next vacation. In addition to specialty vehicles, we are also proud to specialize in last-minute car rental specials, to ensure you're able to secure a great deal, even when you're running short on time. Reserving your next rental car can be done online in three, easy steps, or by calling us toll-free 24/7 at 1-888-223-5555!
 

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