Where will you be when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2012? With the list of fabulous locations we've compiled, you can partake in have-to-do-it-at-least-once traditions, such as watching the ball drop at New York's Times Square, or you can do some serious street partying in Prague, participate in a "communal kiss" in Venice or watch fireworks in magnificent settings that include Niagara Falls and the Austrian Alps.
New Year's Eve in Las Vegas
Reinforcing
its status as a perennial party town, Las Vegas welcomes 300,000
revelers to ring in the New Year. Hotels, clubs and bars
take it to the limit with special shows, but many lock their doors
around the midnight hours, so you'll need to decide whether you want to
be in or out. We recommend out, since the four-mile-long Strip becomes
a vehicle-free promenade where you can drink, mingle and watch
fireworks shot off from surrounding rooftops. For a rockin' good time,
hit up The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel
where the Black Keys will be performing. For something a tad mellower,
enjoy the music of The Beatles with Cirque du Soleil's New Year's Eve
performance of LOVE at the The Mirage ... what better way to celebrate the hard day's night that is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas?New Year's Eve in Mexico City
Mexico City: End-of-the-Year Fiesta
Mexico's capital and largest city is sedate at the beginning of the night, as most denizens of "D.F.," as locals call it, lay low at home and eat dinner with family members. But as the night goes on, debauchery ensues for the final day of the calendar year. If you like crowds, gravitate to the Zócalo around 9 p.m., the city's main gathering point, where a street festival takes place. There are fireworks, dancing and music; tradition dictates that Zócalo attendees bring empty eggshells filled with confetti and colorful liquids. Likewise, the Zona Rosa neighborhood is similarly packed for plenty of partying. For something a tad less noisy and messy, have a late-night dinner at one of the trendy restaurants in the hip Condesa neighborhood.New Year's Eve in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Canada: Barreling into the New Year
Long gone are the days when the most exciting thing to do at Niagara Falls was keep your eyes peeled for a daredevil plummeting over the cascades in a barrel. The falls are now the site of one of the biggest outdoor New Year's Eve parties in Canada. More than 30,000 people gather in Queen Victoria Park to eat, drink and enjoy the free New Year's Eve Concert Extravaganza, organized by the Niagara Parks Commission. Festivities take place against the stunning backdrop of Niagara Falls, which is illuminated as part of the 30th annual Winter Festival of Lights, a November 3 to January 31 display of more than three million lights on a four-mile route. Brightening the night even further, the 9 p.m. and midnight fireworks over the falls are so much a part of the country's New Year's Eve tradition that they are televised nationwide.New Year's Eve in Prague, Czech Republic
With a hand-held fireworks free-for-all competing with an official midnight display over Prague Castle and the Vltava River, Prague is rightly known for its wild New Year's Eve. But this is a city that has something for everyone. All day long the Christmas Markets are still in full swing, as colorful wooden huts sell handicrafts, hot food and warm drinks in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Culture lovers can take in the morning or evening performance of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at Rudolfinum and then attend the New Year's Eve gala ball at the Prague State Opera. As for those who like their festivities on the rowdy side, the action is in the bars, clubs and prime fireworks viewing spots: Charles Bridge and the town squares. For crowd-controlled celebrations, dinner cruises ply the Vltava River with music and dancing into the wee hours.
New Year's Eve in Kitzbuhel, Austria
Kitzbühel, Austria: Heating up the Slopes
For
New Year's Eve in a quaint fairy tale setting, Kitzbühel is our top
pick. This ninth-century town has been attracting glamorous revelers
ever since Kirk Douglas and Coco Chanel put it on the see-and-be-seen
map. A romantic mood takes over as the clock ticks toward midnight, with
restaurants and hotels hosting gala dinners and horse-drawn sleighs
jingling past medieval houses on traffic-free, cobblestone streets. The
big draw, though, takes place on the Hahnenkamm race course. Drinking
hot wine and singing folk songs, crowds gather at the base to watch
members of the Rote Teufel ski school. Beneath a fireworks display (one
of the best in the Alps) choreographed to music, the skiers welcome the
New Year with an unforgettable torch-lit performance on the slopes.
New Year's Eve in Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland: Cold Temperatures, Hot Nightlife
In
Iceland, New Year's Eve traditions offer the chance to brighten up one
of the darkest days of the year. With little more than four hours of
daylight and sunset before 4 p.m. on December 31, the celebration starts
early, beginning with 6 p.m. mass at Reykjavik Cathedral. Locals attend
or listen in on the radio, then share a meal with family and friends
before heading outdoors for neighborhood bonfires. Visitors wandering
the city may easily come across one of these flame-fueled gatherings,
where drinking, folk songs and even people dressed up as elves and
trolls are not uncommon. While all of this may seem somewhat sedate,
don't underestimate a country where there are no restrictions on the
holiday sale of fireworks. As for Icelanders wielding firecrackers,
they're not the only complement to Reykjavik's official, spectacular
pyrotechnics display. Sometimes the Northern Lights get in on the act as
well.
New Year's Eve in Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes, Greece: All Rhodes Lead to the Celebrations
Throughout Greece, tradition plays a great role in New Year’s celebrations. But since you can only be in one place at a time, we recommend heading for the medieval district of Rhodes Town on the island of Rhodes. In this historic setting you can witness activities such as New Year's carols or card games, the latter an opportunity for locals to enhance their luck for the upcoming year. Luck, in fact, plays a significant role in ringing in the New Year. The first person, usually a child, who steps foot over your doorstep on New Year’s Day will determine the year’s luck, and in most households, a vasilopita cake is prepared with a coin inside — the person who gets the piece with the coin will have good luck all year long. Be prepared for parties all over the island, as plazas, cafés, bars and hotels host special events that run from midnight until dawn. Then, on New Year's Day, enjoy a ritual usually practiced on Christmas in other places around the world, as St. Basil (the Greek Santa Claus) delivers holiday gifts.
New Year's Eve in New York City
New York City: The City That Never Stops Partying
Cramming into NYC's Times Square for concerts and to watch the ball drop with fellow tourists from all over the world is something everyone should do once. But for a more local end-of-the-year experience, party in the always-happening Meatpacking District by buying a Meatpacking District All-Access Pass. The pass allows for access to normally exclusive clubs as well as buffet dinners and DJ'ed performances. For something more sedate, make a reservation at one of the many great restaurants in New York that serve up memorable meals on the final evening of the year.
New Year's Eve in Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy: Romance and Fireworks on the Canals
For La Festa di San Silvestro (New Year's Eve), Venice knows how to do things right. The music, fireworks and toast in St. Mark's Square culminate with a communal kiss at midnight. Enjoy Concerto di Capodanno, the New Year's concert at La Fenice Theater, to start your evening; then join the revelry that lasts until dawn, when locals watch the sunrise and take a dip at Lido Beach. Or party all night and catch the concert on New Year's Day morning. Make sure to try a traditional lentil dish, which symbolizes good fortune, and beware of those few people still participating in the custom of throwing old things out windows to symbolize preparation for the New Year. If you're still in town on the sixth, don't miss the Befana races, where men clad like women race boats along the Grand Canal.New Year's Eve in Goa
Goa, India: Stark Raving Mad under the Stars
Gaining
notoriety as a turn-on-tune-in-drop-out hippie paradise in the 1960s,
Goa seems to use New Year's Eve to keep its free-living reputation
alive. Backpackers flock here for psychedelic trance raves in the open
air — insiders tell us "The Hill Top" is the place to be. This Indian
state is also a favorite destination for Bollywood stars, whose New
Year's Eve antics throughout Goa serve up plenty of fodder for the
tabloids. As for the locals, they generally keep to their own traditions
with New Year's balls in nearly every brightly decorated village. If
you're lucky, you might be invited to share a glass of fenny, a regional
brew made from guava, coconut or cashew nuts.
The
well adorned evergreen boughs look quite different. Toys, decorations
and candies beam with the small lights. There is no dearth of
entertainment and amusement. The entire market shines with the smiles
of the celebrants. 
66.
Brussels celebrates the wonderful winter season with fun and hoopla. The city hosts a fabulous Christmas market,
featuring 240 chalets, dotted across the Grand place around the
Bourse. The city goes into the mood of celebration when the entire
territory is adorned with different types of lights. Steamed snails,
preserves, gingerbread, chocolate, mulled wine, served warm, mulled
wine and different kinds of spicy foods are enjoyed by the inhabitants
during the festival of Christmas (plaisirsdhiver.be/en/page.html;
Nov-25- Jan-2; 12 pm- 9pm Mon- Thur, 11 am- 10 pm Fri- Sun, 11am- 6pm
Dec 24 and 31, 12pm- 10pm Dec 25 and Jan 1; entry free)
Night
time performances, parades and colorful festive displays mark the
commencement of Christmas season. Partake in the grand and striking
concert along with the city dwellers to enjoy line-dancing, charity and
an eventful fair. Ride on an open top bus to watch the sight of the
city. The bus will take you through the market. The light up display is
particularly stunning with different sections lit up in different
color schemes. Every edifice around the city is adorned with chains of
lights. Each of them competes with each other for the title of the
“Best Dressed Buildings”. The eye catching splendor of Orchard Road
attracts innumerable tourists and holiday makers. Singapore is the place
to visit during Christmas (00-65-6733-1700; orchardroad.org; Nov
19-Jan 2).
The
preparations for the celebration begin long before the date of
Christmas. The atmosphere is phenomenal in Rhine, Basel. The old city
of Switzerland is popularly known as the most beautiful Christmas city
as well. The city edifices beam with different types of lights. The
dotted shops and buildings sparkle during the festive season. The
street is hidden in the darkness of pine trees which are standing tall
in a queue at the roadside. The city looks amazing as it is well
decorated 
The
City Hall Square (Rathaus) of Vienna houses the oldest market of
Europe, Christkindlmarkt. It’s a prime attraction for the tourists and
the place gets crowded during Christmas as well (
The
largest Christmas market of France is located at the adjoining area of
Strasbourg’s gorgeous cathedral. The Christmas market was inaugurated
in 1970. The best crowd puller is the Christmas tree in the vicinity.
The chorus performances on the streets pull huge number of people from
faraway places as well. Stroll in and around the territory to watch the
vista of the neighboring places. Take a walk and visit Bredle Market
to grab a quick bite at the Christmas cakes (noel.strasbourg.eu; Nov
26- Dec 31).
It
is comparatively a younger market of entire Europe. However, Galway’s
Continental Christmas Market becomes the central attraction every year.
The mini wonderland, Eyre Square, looks marvelous during winter as
more than 28 different countries showcase wide variety of crafts,
gifts, bohemian crystal, wooden toys , scented candles, hand-made
jewelry, ceramic mugs, hats, scarves, traditional puppets and Christmas
tree decorations in 70 stalls. Hundreds of celebrants gather at the
spot to purchase quality items of their choice. It will not only be a
feast for the senses but you can enjoy the feast of fresh hot food and
drink during Christmas as well. German beer, mulled wine, mince pies,
hot sausages should be tasted. The market houses the ‘Santa’s Grotto’,
with proceeds going to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children (ISPCC) and enable Ireland (galwaychristmasmarket.ie; Eyre
Square, Galway; 10am- 10pm Nov 25- Dec 18; entry free).
Lincoln,
the oldest market of the entire UK, takes place between the Norman
Castle and the cathedral each year. Street theatre and local choirs
that perform by candlelight are the prime and foremost enticements of
the Christmas market (00-44-15-22-545-458; visitlincoln.com; Lincoln
Visitor Information Centre: 9, Castle Hill; 4pm-9:30pm Dec 1, 10am-
9:30pm Dec 2, 10am-9:30pm Dec 3, 10am-7pm Dec 4).
It’s
not just on the markets but Portuguese influence is there on each and
everything of Goa. This December, colorful Goa once again will enjoy a
fabulous time with lot of joy and bliss. The sight of Arjuna Flea
Market looks particularly wonderful during Christmas every year. The
maze like lanes and streets look different and more congested with the
assortment of various stalls, lined up at the roadsides. This is a
sought after destination for all the tourists of Goa. It’s a shopping
carnival for all the shopping lovers. Don’t miss the grandeur and flair
of the market during Christmas. Trinkets, Indian crafts, jewelry and
wide range of other knick-knacks are the crowd pullers (Arjuna, North
Goa).
nd.
The Christmas market showcases innovative items in a cave under the
ruins of an ancient castle. The huge Velvet cave looks like a labyrinth
of passageways. A number of stalls are dotted around the passages of
the cave. Even though the tourists can purchase numerous items from
this Christmas fair but Bona fide hand-crafted Dutch products are the
prime and foremost allurements. Warmly lit and merrily decorated, the
grotto, showcases beautiful murals and impressive sculptures. It is
going to be an enticing and unique experience for you all (