If there’s one city that’s become synonymous with New Years Eve, it has to be Sydney. The combination of the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and spectacular fireworks makes for an unforgettable setting, and being in one of the first major cities in the world to welcome the New Year adds to the excitement.

Sydney’s celebrations centre around the harbour, with fireworks lighting up the water and landmarks at midnight. There is also an earlier evening display, making Sydney a good option for families as well as those looking to stay out until the small hours.

The best way to experience New Years Eve in Sydney depends on how you want to spend the evening. You could find a spot in one of the city’s parks or book a restaurant, rooftop or harbour cruise for a more organised celebration. If watching the fireworks is the main reason for your trip, plan well ahead, as the most popular viewing areas and events can fill up quickly.

And of course, there’s a major bonus to spending New Years Eve in Australia: it’s summer! Once the celebrations are over, you can make the most of Sydney’s beaches, restaurants and outdoor lifestyle.

For a New Years Eve celebration with a completely different atmosphere, head to Rio! The city combines warm summer weather, music, dancing and one enormous beach party on Copacabana.

Millions of people traditionally gather around Copacabana Beach for the celebrations, with live music and fireworks forming the centrepiece of the night.

There is plenty of tradition surrounding New Years Eve in Rio too. Many people dress in white and head to the beach to celebrate, while the city’s bars, restaurants and hotels put on their own events.

Rio works particularly well if you want your New Year holiday to feel like a proper escape rather than simply a city break. You can spend your days exploring Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the city’s neighbourhoods before swapping sightseeing for the beach when the evening arrives.

For the classic New Years Eve experience, few places are as instantly recognisable as New York.

The famous ball drop in Times Square is watched around the world, with huge crowds gathering in the heart of Manhattan to count down to midnight. It’s an experience that has become part of popular culture, although it isn’t the only way to celebrate in the city.

New York is packed full of alternatives, from rooftop parties and restaurants to bars, cruises and events across Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can also combine your New Years Eve celebrations with a few days exploring the city, from Central Park and Fifth Avenue to the museums, neighbourhoods and Broadway shows.

Just remember: New York in December is cold! So, if you’re planning on spending hours outside for the Times Square countdown, come prepared.

If your idea of a good New Years Eve involves sunshine, luxury, and an impressive skyline, then Dubai could be a great choice.

The city goes all out for New Years Eve, with hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and rooftop venues hosting celebrations throughout the city. The Burj Khalifa is the obvious focal point, with its New Years Eve celebrations providing one of the world’s most recognisable backdrops.

Dubai is also a good choice if you don’t want the whole trip to revolve around New Years Eve itself. December is a popular time to visit thanks to the warm weather, making it easy to combine sightseeing and shopping with time by the pool or on the beach.

Book well in advance if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant, hotel or rooftop, as New Years Eve is one of the busiest times of year in Dubai.

Cape Town is another excellent choice if you want to escape the cold and celebrate New Years Eve somewhere warm.

The city is in the middle of summer, so you can spend the day on the beach, exploring the nearby Cape Winelands, or taking in the views from Table Mountain before heading into the city in the evening.

The V&A Waterfront is one of the main areas for New Years Eve celebrations, with restaurants, bars, entertainment, and views across the harbour.

Cape Town is particularly appealing for a longer New Year holiday. Give yourself a week or two and there is plenty of time to combine the city with the Garden Route, Winelands, safari, or the beautiful Cape Peninsula.

For something lively, warm, and a little less traditional, consider spending New Years Eve in Bangkok.

The Thai capital is already a brilliant city break destination, but New Year adds an extra layer of excitement. Shopping Centres, rooftop bars, restaurants and hotels all get involved, while countdown events take place across the city.

One of the great things about Bangkok is the choice. You could dress up for dinner in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the skyline, join the crowds at a major countdown event, or simply find a lively bar and let the evening unfold.

And once January arrives, you are perfectly placed to continue your holiday elsewhere in Thailand. Combine Bangkok with a trip to the north or finish your trip on one of Thailand’s incredible beaches.

New Years Eve in Reykjavik is unlike the big, organised countdowns you find in cities such as Sydney or New York.

Instead the celebrations have a distinctly Icelandic feel, with bonfires, gatherings and huge numbers of privately launched fireworks creating an extraordinary atmosphere across the city.

It’s also one of the best destinations if you want to combine New Years Eve with a winter adventure. You can spend your days exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, soaking in geothermal pools and, if conditions are right, looking out for the Northern Lights.

Just make sure you pack properly. Reykjavik in December is extremely cold!