The best view of most major cities is from your couch. Most of the major traditional fireworks displays and celebrations worldwide have been canceled and replaced with smaller events on television or streamed.
These are the places where events still take place and where you can view the scaled down favorites.
New York
Yes, the ball will drop in Times Square and there will be a party, but the events are closed to the public. The show continues for the annual national broadcasts on several stations, so even though no one waits for hours in the freezing cold, you can still watch the events unfold as we countdown to midnight.
The Angels
There will be no public fireworks this year in Los Angeles, which is under house arrest. But residents can tune in to a virtual countdown party starring DJ Steve Aoki, billed as “the biggest NYE virtual dance party on the west coast.”
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Everything is ready in Dubai to ring in the new year. There are at least 11 places to see the skies light up on December 31st, and anyone coming from out of town to view them must be Covid-19 negative.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio has canceled fireworks displays and is restricting access to the beaches – including Copacabana’s festive hot spot – to avoid crowds. Instead, there will be an online broadcast of celebrations.
Sydney
Sydney is forgoing its traditional New Year’s Eve public showstop events for smaller celebrations that will be broadcast publicly. Instead of a huge fireworks display, there is a smaller show over the Sydney Harbor Bridge at midnight.
Madrid
Unfortunately, people in this usually bustling city will have to eat their grapes at home this year. The cultural tradition is usually part of a big event in the city, but due to Covid-19, it won’t be in 2020.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s famous New Year’s Eve celebration will not take place in person this year, but online. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will feature “Doctor Who” actor David Tennant; the Scottish Makar, or national poet, Jackie Kay; Celtic fusion band Niteworks; and Scottish actors Lorne MacFadyen and Siobhan Redmond. The event is free for everyone worldwide.
New Orleans
The Big Easy is taking it easy this year. It will still be hosting its share of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin ‘Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” but the events are closed to the public.
Las Vegas
The big fireworks in the City of Lights have gone out this year, but the New Year’s Eve celebrations on Fremont Street and the Plaza Hotel are not over yet. The hotel still plans to set off fireworks at midnight, and of course the locals do too. Even without the main screen, if you are visiting or living in the city, the sky must be clear somewhere nearby.
Paris
There will be no public events for those celebrating the New Year in Paris, but there will be a live stream concert at Notre Dame Cathedral by composer and performer Jean-Michel Jarre for all to watch.
