There’s no denying that New Year’s Eve provides for some of the biggest parties of the year all over the world, thanks to the fact that this non-denominational holiday is celebrated by just about everyone.  And while most people gather together family and friends for intimate parties on the last night of the year, there are plenty of people out there looking for the biggest party in town to crash.  So if you find yourself without a plan this New Year’s Eve and you’d like to pinpoint the best party on the planet, here are just a few cities that do it up right.

1. The Big Apple.  Every December 31^st, thousands of people from all over the world crowd into New York City’s Times Square to usher in a brand new year, dancing to performances by A-list musicians and counting down to the famous ball drop.  Of course, similar things happen in cities all over the world, but there’s something pretty amazing about seeing this bustling metropolis brought to a standstill as people from nearly every nation on the planet sing in the New Year and kiss their neighbors.  Talk about brotherly love!
2. Berlin.  According to Germany, this is the biggest New Year’s bash in the world, with over a million party-hearty souls braving freezing temps to watch open-air laser shows and fireworks galore, listen to blaring music, and engage in pranks (apparently, the tradition calls for locals to play practical jokes on the last day of the year).  Luckily, there are plenty of tents scattered throughout the city that can provide a respite from the biting winds with warmed benches and hot food for sale.
3. Reykjavik.  Although Iceland is undoubtedly rather chilly on this night, revelers come out en masse on New Year’s Eve thanks to a law particular to the capital city that allows for unfettered fireworks on this one night of the year.  Also allowed are dozens of bonfires dotting the city, where locals and tourists alike can stay warm, sing songs, and drink to health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year.  And once the songs are sung and the traditional New Year’s kisses bestowed, the real party starts; none of the city’s clubs open until after midnight since literally everyone is out on the town.
4. Edinburgh.  If you didn’t know that the traditional New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne originated in Scotland, then you might not be aware that their four-day party bests anything that goes on stateside.  Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebration starts with an evening march that ends with the burning of a giant effigy on Carlton Hill.  From there it’s hard partying with live music all over the city until the sun comes up on New Year’s Day.
5. Cape Town.  Despite the fact that this South African celebration takes place on January 2^nd instead of New Year’s Eve (possibly a nod to the fact that, historically, it was the only day off for slaves each year), it’s no less rambunctious than other parties that ring in the New Year.  And each year thousands of performers, including minstrels (and other musicians), jugglers, tumblers, fire dancers, and more, take to the streets along with crowds that number in the tens of thousands (an estimated 80,000 per year!).  A huge parade winds through city streets while vendors sell food and wares on the sidelines.  In short, Cape Town shuts down to party it up.