As an exchange student in Europe, you'll have plenty of unique opportunities to experience a splendid variety of cultural and important events! Be it drinking during Oktoberfest, partying at Tomorrowland or strolling through Christmas markets - there's more than enough celebrations to experience through the calendar year.
Of course, what might be the most important celebration of all, spending New Year's Day in Europe is a great way to start or cap off your exchange semester!
It goes without saying, but the New Year can only be celebrated once a year so it makes picking the right city to celebrate it in much more difficult to choose. But, the MiTravel team has done some research and here, we've listed down some of the best cities in Europe to ring in the New Year:
Berlin, Germany: Berlin is known for its vibrant nightlife and party culture, and New Year's Eve is a particularly popular time to celebrate in the city.
One of the most famous Silvester or New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin is the New Year's Eve Party at Brandenburg Gate (Silvesterparty). This event attracts thousands of people every year and features live music, food and drink stalls, and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.
If you weren't able to purchase a ticket in advance, grab a seat in one of Berlin's many outdoor cafes overlooking the historic landmark for a great view of the midnight show!
If you're more of a fitness junkie, this year-end cult event in Berlin might interest you! The Berlin New Year's Eve Run (Berliner Silvesterlauf aka “Der Pfannkuchenlauf“) offers participants 4 distances ranging from 2.4 to 10.6 kilometers over 2 elevations and goes around Teufelsberg and Grunewald. At the end of the race, everyone will be given a celebratory jelly-filled pancake called “Pfannkuchen” or Krapfen/Berliner ! Everyone, of course, is encouraged to run the race in costume!
Paris, France: The City of Love has always been a popular destination for New Year's Eve festivities!
The most famous of which is the midnight lightshow on the Avenue de Champs-Elysées, facing the Arc De Triomphe! Marvel at the fantastic 8-minute fireworks display, while sharing a tender New Year's kiss with your partner!
You can even attend a New Year's Eve party aboard one of the cruise ships along the Seine, wherein you can not only see the dazzling city and its iconic monuments, but also savor a gourmet meal! Check out Bateaux Parisiens, La Marina or Bateaux Mouches!
You can also book tickets and spend the evening at Disneyland Paris, wherein you can enjoy a grandiose fireworks display above the Castle of Sleeping Beauty!
If you're not really into fireworks, you can enjoy some wine and tapas during a classical music concert within the beautifully-stained glass windows of the Sainte‐Chapelle! It's definitely the most unique way to visit this grand, picturesque church!
London, England: London is the place to be to welcome the New Year!
Lot of parties and clubbing to be expected in this city!
But of course, we need to start with the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display along the Thames! You'll have a pretty good view of the London Eye as all these fireworks are going off also, talk about an iconic New Year's celebration!
As for parties and clubs, check out the dance party at Southbank Centre, iconic jazz age Candlelight Club, the rooftop Bar Elba, riverside party venue Neverland, and my personal favorite, the Sky Garden! These are just a few of the numerous parties and celebrations being held all over the city!
There's also a New Year's Day parade that gathers around 10,000 performers from across the globe and colorful floats parade through central London, along the streets of London's West End.
Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona is a vibrant city that comes alive on New Year's Eve! Definitely a city to party in!
Much warmer than other winter destinations, Barcelona also has its own official fireworks display at Plaça d’Espanya! You can also try Plaça Catalunya, wherein attendees throw empty bottles into the center of plaza once midnight strikes!
Not from Plaça d’Espanya is the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc which also has its own spectacular countdown and New Year's Eve show with lights and water!
Whichever venue you chose to celebrate in the New Year, don't forget grapes and cava (Catalan champagne)! These are basically Catalan staples in celebrating the New Year; challenge is to consume 12 grapes at midnight in order to get a wish or good luck for the rest of the year! It's not easy to do, so be careful in eating each grape according to each dong of the clock!
Try catching a flamenco show at Palacio del Flamenco! This traditional Spanish dance will be sure to captivate!
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam is a beautiful city with a lively New Year's Eve scene.
Head to the Museumplein to watch the grand Electric Fireworks show, featuring the largest countdown clock in the world and culminates into a grand, luminous spectacle of light and sound! Interesting to note that most of the Netherlands have had a ban on lighting consumer fireworks since 2021, with them resorting more to drones or eco-fireworks!
One unique New Year's Eve celebrations in Amsterdam is called the "Nieuwjaarsduik," a traditional event in which people gather at the beach and take a dive into the chilly waters to mark the start of the new year!
Join the icy plunge with about 100 people in the New Year's Dive, held at the Sloterplas lake in Amsterdam’s West! After the actual dive (which usually takes a few seconds), hot chocolate, mulled wine (glühwein) & pea soup (snert) is usually served for participants to warm up!
Other popular New Year's Eve events in Amsterdam include the classical music concert called "Nieuwjaarsconcert" at the Concertgebouw (Het Concertgebouw) and the "Oud & Nieuw" street party, which takes place in the city center and features live music, food and drink stalls!
Conclusion
Be it at the end of your exchange semester in Europe or the start of one, you're sure to have a memorable New Year's as an exchange student in Europe!
Just be sure to plan ahead, as many events and activities sell out in advance. Happy travels!
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