Sydney has just been crowned one of the best places on Earth to ring in the new year – and honestly, we’re not remotely surprised. According to new data from travel eSIM provider Holafly, Sydney has ranked as the second-best New Year’s Eve destination in the world, beaten only by New York City and sitting comfortably ahead of heavy-hitting party hubs like Dubai. To put together the definitive guide to global NYE destinations, the Holafly team analysed everything from global search volumes and the number of NYE events, to weather and the eye-watering cost of accommodation over the countdown period.
With more than 66,000 searches from travellers plotting their end-of-year escape and 69 New Year’s Eve celebrations across the city, Sydney has cemented its reputation as the place to be when the clock ticks over. As one of the first major cities in the world to welcome the new year, the celebratory energy here feels amplified – like the rest of the globe is watching us press play on the year ahead.
At the heart of our city's celebrations is, of course, Sydney Harbour. Each year, the city’s world-famous fireworks unfurl in spectacular fashion, cascading off the Harbour Bridge and framing the Opera House in technicolour light. It’s a show that stops cities across the globe in their tracks – and one that feels perfeclty Sydney, whether you’re watching from a packed foreshore picnic rug, a harbour cruise or a sky-high rooftop bar.
Ringing in the new year from Sydney is an iconic experience, but Holafly confirmed that it doesn’t come cheap. The research found that hotel rooms in the area average $639 per night over the NYE period – but with average temps of 23oC and Sydney’s incredible restaurants, beaches and parks an added bonus, a night in the Harbour City is a guaranteed glorious start to the year.
Taking out the top spot on the list was New York City, where the iconic Times Square ball drop continues to draw massive crowds, with more than 185,000 searches and 77 NYE events – though hotel prices there climb even higher, averaging $774 a night. Dubai rounded out the top three, offering a more luxe countdown with fireworks and light shows erupting from the Burj Khalifa.
As Holafly travel expert Brenda Beltrán puts it, “Whether it’s the electric countdown in Times Square, watching the world’s first fireworks display over Sydney Harbour, or taking in the larger-than-life celebration in Dubai, travellers are seeking out those movie-moment experiences.”
Top 10 best New Year’s Eve destinations in the world
- New York, USA
- Sydney, Australia
- Dubai, UAE
- London, England
- Miami, USA
- Los Angeles, USA
- New Orleans, USA
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Toronto, Canada
- Las Vegas, USA
You can check out our guide to catching the NYE fireworks in Sydney over here.
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