Hard to believe it’s almost 2025—some of us are still trying to enjoy the New Year celebrations we planned for 2020! That is why this year, it’s time to plan ahead.
Whether or not you know the meaning of “Auld Lang Syne” or care about watching the ball drop, celebrating New Year’s Eve in style is essential for kicking off an awesome new year.
That’s where Wanderu comes in, offering unbeatable travel deals AND some top-notch inspo for champagne-worthy destinations! Based on our own Wanderu data, we’ve identified 12 of the hottest New Year’s Eve destinations in recent years—places known for celebrating the new year in style.
Now let’s find the perfect NYE destination for you!
1. New York, NY
We’ll start with the most famous New Year’s destination in the world, The Big Apple. While you’ve seen the bustle of Times Square on TV, we actually suggest skipping the scene of the ball drop entirely. Instead, lace up the ice skates at Rockefeller Center, a Midtown attraction that truly comes to life in winter.
And yes, New York is dense with rooftop bars, which are an excellent place to countdown to 2025. But those spots can be spendy with high-dollar covers. The fireworks are just as much fun from the ground, where you don’t have to pay a dime: Sites like Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn light up every year.
Want a break from the cold prior to the big show? Hit up one of NYC’s numerous free museums or one of the many free things to do in New York. Visiting the Big Apple doesn’t have to mean a big wallet!
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to New York | Starting at $1.00 | |
| Train tickets to New York | Starting at $6.00 |
2. New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is a blast year round, but New Year’s in NOLA even gives Mardi Gras a run for its money. You’re probably familiar with the city’s French Quarter and its myriad wrought-iron balconies, which become thick with partygoers on December 31st. Find the best along infamous Bourbon Street, where you can pay cover and enjoy the balcony-lurking fray, or just witness the antics from street level.
And who needs a ball when you have a fleur-de-lis? Every year, Jackson Square does its take on the Times Square tradition by dropping the city’s emblem at midnight. The event is free but gets just as packed as its NYC equivalent, so plan accordingly.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to New Orleans | Starting at $14.99 | |
| Train tickets to New Orleans | Starting at $11.00 |
3. Philadelphia, PA
If you saw what happened after the Eagles won the Super Bowl, then you know Philly knows how to celebrate when the time is right.
Turn your gaze toward the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, where fireworks go off at both 6 p.m. (for the early birds) and midnight (for those in it for the long haul). We hear Cherry Street Pier is a great spot to watch, and there will also be a DJ so you can dance until you drop.
It’s easy to stay out so long on New Year’s Eve that New Year’s Day becomes an afterthought, but Philadelphia’s Mummer’s Parade will make you want to wake up bright and early on January 1st. Dating back to 1901, this extravaganza features thousands of performers in over-the-top costumes strutting down Broad Street. Expect a mix of elaborate floats, lively music, and choreographed performances in categories like Comics, Fancies, and String Bands. It’s part parade, part competition, and all-out fun—a uniquely Philly celebration that guarantees a dazzling start to the year!
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Philadelphia | Starting at $5.00 | |
| Train tickets to Philadelphia | Starting at $6.00 |
4. Miami, FL
All right travelers, roll up those jacket sleeves and turn on the Pitbull, because it’s time to head to Miami. (Seriously though, you can leave your jacket behind — Miami stays relatively warm year-round, even in late December when most of the country is in the midst of a cold snap.)
Of course, if you want to shell out for those shows, be our guest. But here at Wanderu we prefer cheaper events, which is why we’d rather direct you to Wynwood, which holds a free dance party to close 2024. Miami also puts a Sunshine State spin on that same ball-dropping tradition with the Big Orange. As the finale of a free fireworks festival in Bayfront Park, a 35-foot orange with sunglasses on it rises to the top of the InterContinental Miami hotel.
5. Toronto, ON
T-Pain once said something about a condo up in Toronto, and while we don’t know what your lodging situation will be in Hollywood North, we’re sure you’ll love what you find once you venture outside.
But if getting out into the streets is more your speed, Nathan Phillips Square has an annual bash that includes live music, fireworks and “DJ skating parties.” Not to be outdone, Celebration Square in Mississauga has its own event, complete with food trucks, performances from Shopé and Jazz Cartier, and — of course — more fireworks.
6. Chicago, IL
Sure, Kanye West used to love singing about “Summertime Chi,” but a Windy City winter getaway is nothing to turn up your nose at.
Make sure to bring your parka, because Chicago has two epic fireworks displays at midnight that will require you to be out in the elements: one over the Chicago River, and another over Lake Michigan at Navy Pier. Both shows are free, so you really can’t go wrong in whichever one you choose.
7. Nashville, TN
Sure, the TV show named for this city kind of fizzled out when Connie Britton left, but we guarantee the real thing won’t disappoint!
While Nashville shows visitors a great time all year round, the Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight celebration really kicks things up a notch. The free event is half festival, half party, all fun — and features some of the biggest names in country music (Keith Urban, Jason Isbell, and more) ready to rock in the new year.
And if country isn’t your jam? Tin Roof Nashville is holding a “Once Upon a Time” bash, where you can score an all-inclusive bar package to keep the party rolling all night long.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Nashville | Starting at $12.49 | |
| Train tickets to Nashville | Starting at $62.00 |
8. Houston, TX
H-Town is quickly ascending into the top tier of American cities, and if you spend a weekend there (especially a big-time weekend like NYE), it’ll be all too easy to see why.
Trendy neighborhood CityCentre hosts a free party featuring music, confetti, and a 60-second fireworks show right at 12. Meanwhile, the House of Blues is hosting the If It Don’t Feel Like 90s RnB: New Year’s Eve Edition, promising a nostalgic celebration of 90s R&B featuring hits from artists like Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Brandy, and Monica.
Wanna really party hardy? Join in on the Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls, a NYE bar crawl highlighting the best of Houston’s nightlife from 6 pm to 2 am.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Houston | Starting at $8.99 | |
| Train tickets to Houston | Starting at $14.00 |
9. San Francisco, CA
Whatever you do on your trip to the Bay Area, don’t call it Frisco!
S.F.’s annual tradition is a 15-minute fireworks show launched from barges in the Bay. We hear the best views are from the Embarcadero waterfront, so get there early to secure your spot. Another popular locale on NYE is the Dolores Park lawn, where locals bring picnic blankets and their beverages of choice for a more relaxing evening.
Ring in 2025 at New Bohemia NYE in the stunning San Francisco Mint, where art, music, and imagination collide for an unforgettable night. This immersive event features 21 interactive environments, live performances, micro-parties, and unique experiences like the Kink Lounge and Mixed Reality Vault. It’s a Burning Man-inspired celebration, offering something for every party-goer—from captivating performances by the Vau de Vire Society to surreal, themed spaces.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to San Francisco | Starting at $7.99 | |
| Train tickets to San Francisco | Starting at $7.00 |
10. Phoenix, AZ
Spend a winter weekend in Phoenix and you may think you’re hallucinating, but no, that warm weather is the real deal. Thanks to its comfortable climate (the average high in December is 68 degrees), Phoenix’s natural attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback Mountain, and Papago Park are still open in winter.
As for New Year’s itself, the biggest bash in Phoenix takes place downtown. Gatsby’s House NYE Party 2025 features a glamorous Roaring ’20s theme with a live DJ, premium drinks, and dancing. VIP packages are available for an upscale celebration.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Phoenix | Starting at $20.99 | |
| Train tickets to Phoenix | Starting at $60.00 |
11. Las Vegas, NV
Seriously, you didn’t think we were going to omit Sin City from a list of New Year’s Eve destinations, did you?
To state the obvious, Las Vegas really knows how to party. Go just about anywhere in this city and you’ll find a fantastic New Year’s blowout. In terms of free festivities, stroll along The Strip (which becomes a pedestrian-only zone) to take in themed fireworks, live concerts and more, hosted outside iconic Vegas venues like the MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace and the Venetian.
In the mood for some music? Catch Bruno Mars at Dolby Live, Vegas-natives Imagine Dragons at The Venetian, or 50 Cent at Planet Hollywood. Or just hit up the Strip’s nightclubs, with celebrity DJs including Tiësto at LIV Nightclub, Lil Wayne at Drai’s Nightclub, and T-Pain at Zouk Nightclub for high-energy celebrations.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Las Vegas | Starting at $22.41 | |
| Train tickets to Las Vegas | Starting at $48.00 |
12. Seattle, WA
The Emerald City may not be known for partying down as much as some of the other destinations on this list, but don’t be fooled: Seattle does a proper New Year’s Eve.
At the stroke of midnight, fireworks stream out from the Space Needle in every direction, making this the most unique pyrotechnic experience on our list.
And while every city has a museum or two, Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (or MoPOP, to those in the know) is one of the only museums to host a New Year’s Eve bash – or more specifically, a Sing-Along Dance-Along: Noon-Year’s Eve Party.
Book Your Trip:
| Bus tickets to Seattle | Starting at $10.49 | |
| Train tickets to Seattle | Starting at $8.00 |
No matter where you decide to toast to the New Year, we hope you have an awesome (and safe) time doing it. Don’t forget to hydrate between champagne flutes! It’ll go a long way toward ensuring you start the new year on the right foot.
If you have another New Year’s Eve destination in mind beyond the dozen highlighted here, we applaud you! And after we’ve finished applauding, we recommend using Wanderu to book your tickets there. Whether you’re looking to travel by bus, train or plane, you can compare fares for all three in the same search to find the absolute best deals. Just head to Wanderu.com, or download the Wanderu app.
Cheers!
