Sydney

Why visit: Sydney beats everyone else to the punch because it’s the first major city to celebrate the new year. It also hosts one of the biggest parties; more than 1 million people attend the waterfront display, with millions more watching it televised around the world. Sydney’s party lasts all day and into the night and is fun for the whole family, with an air and water show presenting interesting aerial acrobatics and a hearth tug water show, a Harbour of Light parade (an illuminated flotilla of more than 50 vessels), and two fireworks shows—one at 9 p.m. and again at midnight.

Where to stay: You can’t be closer to Sydney Harbour than the Sebel Pier One Motel, which is built over the water. the resort promises visitors reserved pier space for viewing the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks. sebelpierone.com.au