New Year's Eve Celebrations in New York, London, Sydney

International New Year's Eve Celebrations

December 31 is New Year's Eve. Some of you have been planning the evening for ages. Some of you will end up at an overpriced and overcrowded club. Others will watch a DVD and go to bed at 10pm. Residents of New York City, London, and Sydney can go to some of the biggest New Year's eve celebrations in the world.

New York City: Times Square Madness

New York City's New Year's Eve celebration is all about the ball dropping in Times Square (Well, this is mainly true for tourists and those new to the city). If you're making your way up to 42nd Street and Broadway, brace for low temperatures and big, big crowds.

Don't carry a lot of stuff with you, since New Year's Eve is like Christmas Day for pickpockets and thieves.

Also expect some very serious security. Between the security and the crowds, it may actually be better to just watch the ball drop from home:

The will be approximately 16 checkpoints placed strategically around Times Square. Once clearing the proper checkpoints, individuals will be placed in "pens" according to DCPI. Individuals can leave the pens, but it is not encouraged. If an individual returns, however, they will most likely not be allowed back in the same pen.

Yeah, you lost us at the bit about holding pens.

If you're keen on checking out Times Square for New Year's, keep in mind that the area bordered by 7th Avenue and Broadway; and 41st and 59th Streets will be closed from 3pm December 31 to 3am January 1.

If you're not in on pens and crowds and balls, you can check sites like Citisearch for New Year's events in Manhattan, or just ring up some of your friends and go into the Boroughs.

London: Fireworks over the Thames

The London Eye will be the centerpiece of London's 2011-2012 New Year's Eve celebration, with over 12,000 fireworks. The weather is expected to be unseasonably warm, but there's a good chance that it will rain.

2012 is London's Olympic and Paralympic year, so the city is really going to try to bring it. Hopefully this year's fireworks go according to plan. Just don't mention the River of Fire.

Roads in central London will start closing at 4pm on December 31. Public transportation will be free from 11:45pm to 4:30am on January 1, so you have no excuse for drinking and driving.

Sydney: Fireworks over the Harbour

Sydney Harbour is the focal point for the city's New Year's Eve action. Boat-owners and -renters are already jockeying for position, and every bar and restaurant with a harbor view will be packed. (Who was forward-thinking enough to book those accommodations on Cockatoo Island?)

Expect clear skies and warm weather. Fireworks start at 9pm, followed by the Harbour of Light Parade. Bars and restaurants are not your only options for watching the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks: check out this vantage-point map for where to go for the ooohs and aaahs.

Be mindful, though, of the alcohol-free zones.

View Sydney NYE Vantage Points in a larger map

Source: http://www.nowpublic.com/style/new-years-eve-celebrations-new-york-london-sydney-2874754.html

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