Where to celebrate New Year 2026: 9 best cities in Europe for winter celebrations

Lonely Planet has selected nine European cities that best capture the spirit of the New Year's holiday season. Fireworks, concerts, festivals and festive gastronomy - find your perfect place to celebrate 2026 in this selection

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The world's most famous travel publisher Lonely Planet, which creates popular guidebooks, has presented a selection of nine European locations where the New Year's Eve celebration turns into a real fairy tale. From luxurious balls and club parties to street shows and ancient squares - each city has its own style of celebrating the New Year.

We tell you about the best cities in Europe for celebrating the New Year in this selection.

London, Great Britain - fireworks over the Thames and a parade in the center

Photo - wikimedia.org

The celebration in London is a grand event that gathers more than a hundred thousand people on the Thames embankment. The main spectacle is the bright fireworks near the London Eye. You can watch them without a ticket - a wonderful view opens from Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath.

Night cruises on the Thames with champagne and live music are also popular. And on January 1, the capital turns into a stage for the large-scale London New Year's Parade.

Berlin, Germany - night rhythms and freedom of celebration

Photo - visitberlin.de

Berlin is considered the capital of European nightlife. The main party takes place near the Brandenburg Gate, where DJs play, concerts and light shows are held.

The night continues at the legendary Kulturbrauerei - a former brewery with dozens of stages. Those who prefer elegance can choose a ball or a gala evening in an ancient palace. Here, the New Year lasts until the morning - and in some places for several days.

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Lisbon, Portugal - fireworks and the tradition of 12 raisins

Photo - tickets-lisbon.com

The celebration in the capital of Portugal combines romance, music and the warmth of the south. The main stage is Praça do Comércio, where a concert and fireworks over the Tagus River take place.

To welcome the year “like a local”, at midnight you need to eat 12 raisins – one for each month of luck, and take a sip of sparkling wine. After that, the evening is just beginning: dancing and music continue in the Belém and Bairro Alto districts until dawn.

Paris, France – Cabaret, Champagne and Light Show

Photo – https://www.flightgift.com/

On New Year’s Eve, Paris shines like never before. Thousands of people gather on the Champs-Élysées to see the light show near the Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre offers the best panorama of the city.

A festive dinner in a restaurant, a performance at the Moulin Rouge or a rooftop party with a view of the Eiffel Tower – all this creates an atmosphere of true French chic.

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Dublin, Ireland – Music, Light and a Glass of Guinness

Photo – https://www.ireland.com/

The New Year’s Festival Dublin lasts for several days and fills the city with concerts, street shows and installations. The main stage is located near Dublin Castle.

At midnight, fireworks illuminate the sky over the River Liffey, and the celebration continues in pubs, where live music and a friendly atmosphere reign.

Edinburgh, Scotland – the legendary Hogmanay

Photo – https://www.nordicvisitor.com/

Edinburgh Hogmanay lasts for four days and includes a torchlight procession, concerts, folk dancing and fireworks over the castle.

At midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” sounds, and in the morning, the most desperate take part in a plunge into the cold bay – Loony Dook, a symbolic start to the new year.

Stockholm, Sweden – music, poetry and coziness

Photo – https://www.visitstockholm.com/

Stockholm welcomes the New Year calmly but solemnly. The main show takes place over the Old Town, and classics are heard in the cathedral and opera.

Traditionally, at midnight, Tennyson’s poem “The Wild Bells Are Ringing” is played at Skansen. After that, the celebration moves to the bars of the Södermalm district.

Madrid, Spain – grapes and churros until dawn

Photo – contentstack.io

The Spaniards welcome Nochevieja in Puerta del Sol Square, where at midnight they eat 12 grapes – a symbol of happiness for the whole year.

After the fireworks, a night at the Teatro Kapital and Joy Eslava clubs, and in the morning a traditional breakfast: churros with hot chocolate at the legendary San Ginés cafe.

Tromsø, Norway – Northern Lights and Arctic Wonder

Photo – voyage-prive.co.uk

In Tromsø, just outside the Arctic Circle, you can celebrate the New Year under the Northern Lights. Locals climb Mount Storsteinen to watch the fireworks and nature’s light show.

Then there are dog-sled safaris, bar hopping or aurora-watching tours. This is one of the most magical places to travel in winter.

Europe offers a wealth of options for celebrating – from clubbing to peaceful walks under the starry sky. Choose your ideal city to welcome 2026 – and create your own New Year’s story.

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