The best view of most major cities will be from your couch. Most of the major traditional displays of fireworks and celebrations around the world have been canceled and replaced by smaller events broadcast on television or streamed.
Here are the places that still hold events and where to watch favorites on a small scale.
New York
Yes, the ball will fall in Times Square and there will be some celebration, but the events are closed to the public. The show is taking place on national annual broadcasts at various stations, so while no one is waiting for hours in the freezing cold, you can still see the events unfolding as we count until midnight.
Los Angeles
There will be no public fireworks this year in Los Angeles, which is under an order to stay home. But residents can attend a virtual countdown party led by DJ Steve Aoki, heralded as “NYE’s biggest virtual dance party on the West Coast”
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
In Dubai, everything is ready to start the new year. There are at least 11 places to see the sky light up on December 31, and everyone who comes from outside the city to see them must be Covid-19-negative.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio has canceled the fireworks display and is restricting access to its beaches – including the trendy Copacabana party spot – to avoid crowds. Instead, there will be an online broadcast of the celebrations.
Sydney
Sydney is giving up its traditional public New Year’s Eve event show for smaller celebrations that will be broadcast publicly. Instead of a big fireworks show, there will be a smaller display over the Sydney Harbor Bridge at midnight.
Madrid
Unfortunately, people in this generally vibrant city will have to eat their grapes at home this year. Cultural tradition is often part of a major event in the city, but because of Covid-19, it will not be the case in 2020.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s famous New Year celebration will not happen in person this year, but online. Edinburgh Hogmanay will include “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
Big Easy is taking it easy this year. He will still receive his “New Year’s Eve from Dick Clark with Ryan Seacrest” part, but the events will be closed to the public.
Las Vegas
The big fireworks in City of Lights are over this year, but New Year’s celebrations on Fremont Street and Plaza Hotel are still going on. The hotel still plans to shoot fireworks at midnight, and of course the locals too. Even without the main screen, if you are visiting the city or live in it, 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 concert broadcast live at Notre Dame Cathedral by composer and performer Jean-Michel Jarre for everyone to attend.
