Party Till the New Year

With holiday season upon us, that means the New Year is also upon us. 2013 is now ending, and 2014 is now starting. The start of the New Year means aiming for new goals, or resolutions, that are usually not met, but it is also like a new start. It is great time to have parties and some of the coolest celebrations take place around the world at this time.  

Reveillon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is one of the hottest New Year celebrations. Huge stages are set up on the beach front where visitors can enjoy music and dance. Two million or more people come and gather together, drinking champagne, and dancing the samba until midnight. AT this time, fireworks are set off above the ocean, and it is just beautiful. In Brazil, people where white to ensure good luck in the coming year.

Hogmany in Edinburgh, Scotland, has a four day celebration that is a street party. Fireworks shine bright over the Edinburgh Castle, candlelit concerts, dancing, and torchlight processions also occur during this four day period. In London, England, people gather around the Thames River to watch the fireworks, which are let off from the giant Ferris wheel, called the London Eye. Grand Ball in Vienna, Austria, unlike Edinburgh’s street parties, they party in a ballroom. A big ball is hosted at Hofburg palace, where classical music, dance performances, and an elegant four course dinner takes place. At midnight fireworks are set off and everyone participates in the traditional Blue Danube Waltz.

Down under also has a ton of cool festivities, though it starts much earlier, than us here in America. Yarra Park in Melbourne, Australia has some fun celebrations. The park hosts a lot of free activities, like gift exchanges, face painting, and art work, Children and parents can go around and spend the day here. At midnight, they head down to the Victoria Harbor and central Melbourne to view the fireworks. Sydney, Australia has the world’s biggest fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. It is actually the New Year’s Eve Capital of the World. It has traditional ceremonies, awesome light parades, and aerial acrobatics. They go all out, any way they are some of the first people entering the new year. A stunning firework display is let off, around seven tons go up and light the Sydney Harbor Bridge in beautiful colors.

And then there is also the amazing American traditions for New Year’s Eve. Time Square in New York City has light shows, music, and of course the ball drop that everyone waits for. The countdown takes place on the big clock so everyone can see. At midnight, confetti is let off and fireworks light up the sky. It is quite a magnificent tradition.

These are few of the many traditions. For more information, look here.