When considering the top places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the USA, popular destinations like New York City and Las Vegas may come to mind, hosting some of the world’s largest and most televised New Year’s Eve events. However, beyond these glamorous cities, the USA offers excellent New Year’s Eve options, including theme parks, islands, and alpine lakes.
- San Francisco, California: San Francisco’s bay location offers unique New Year’s Eve events, including a spectacular bayfront fireworks show. Hornblower’s boat festivities, featuring brunch, dinner, and fireworks cruises, provide a special experience. The city also hosts various New Year’s Eve balls, such as the Passport to the World New Year’s Eve Ball, offering deejays, live music, an open bar, and entertainers. For a more relaxed setting, watch the midnight fireworks from high points like Twin Peaks or the Embarcadero waterfront.
- New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans stands out as a fantastic year-round party destination. With friendly locals, pleasant weather, late-night bars, and people strolling around with drinks in hand, it creates an inviting atmosphere for revelers. The historic French Quarter’s Jackson Square hosts a vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration with bands and entertainers leading up to the famous fleur de lis drop and fireworks over the Mississippi River at midnight. The festivities continue at bars and nightclubs along Bourbon Street. For a unique experience, consider a fireworks cruise on the Creole Queen or Steamboat Natchez.
- Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida: Walt Disney World in Orlando knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve Party for both children and adults. Celebrate with decadent dining, festive drinks, dazzling dance parties, and mesmerizing fireworks. Unique packages at various Disney hotels, including dining while watching Magic Kingdom fireworks from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, make for a magical experience.
- Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles, with its vast size, offers diverse events throughout the city. The Grand Park in downtown LA hosts a major event with food trucks and live music on multiple stages until 1 a.m., ideal for families as it is alcohol-free. Another downtown highlight is Prohibition at Union Station, a Roaring 1920s-themed event with burlesque, DJs, live jazz, and an open bar. Long Beach, south of downtown, features a unique New Year’s Eve celebration aboard the Queen Mary with bars, live music, entertainers, and fireworks.
- Atlanta, Georgia: Atlanta’s peach drop, akin to New York City’s Times Square ball drop on a smaller scale, takes place above Underground Atlanta at midnight. The lead-up to midnight includes local food and drinks, entertainers, DJs, and live shows by renowned musicians. Admission is free, making it accessible for everyone. Additionally, Atlanta offers other great events, such as neighborhood block parties and festivities at various clubs and venues.
