9 best places around the world to ring in the new year

It will be freezing cold but at New York's Times Square, where the legendary ball - made of 2688 Waterford crystal panels lit by 32,256 LED lamps - begins to drop at 11.59pm, you'll be surrounded with such electrifying energy, you may need to take off your gloves and beanie.

You can arrive first thing in the morning on December 31 to nab a vantage point (the best spots are gone by mid-afternoon) or - if money's no object - head to the St Cloud rooftop bar on 6 Times Square, which is just 45 metres below the ball itself, for a New Year's Eve (NYE) bash that'll set you back by $US1575 per person ($2448; and that's the starting price). Our pick would be the party at Frames Bowling Lounge (from $US99), which is located a short walk from Times Square and where you can watch the ball drop live on big TV screens without freezing. nyctourism.com

In a complete antithesis to New York, Dubai offers a NYE extravaganza in balmy environs. The star of the night is the tallest building on the planet, Burj Khalifa, and the synchronised show of fireworks, fountains and laser lights, which explodes at the stroke of midnight. And there are plenty of places to take in the spectacle, including the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, Burj Park and Souk Al Bahar. visitdubai.com

New Year - or Hogmanay - is a bigger deal than Christmas in Scotland. And Edinburgh is where the revelries reach fever pitch. The four-day celebrations (from December 29 to January 1) include parties, concerts, fairs and - most notably - parades, complete with drummers, pipers, flames, swords and the traditional ceilidh.

The Hogmanay Street Party on NYE attracts about 40,000 revellers, as mad fireworks light up the midnight sky above Edinburgh Castle. edinburgh.org

NYE doesn't always have to be about big crowds and fireworks; many head to Thingvellir National Park (about 40 minutes' drive from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland), where - in the right conditions - instead of a man-made light show, Mother Nature often does the honours, unleashing a dazzling display of northern lights, and ringing in the new year. visiticeland.com

Copacabana Beach is the ground zero on NYE, with wide-angle views of the fireworks without having to cough up a fortune - the sandy strip is so enormous, it can fit thousands of revellers. But, really, there's no bad place to ring in the new year in the City of God, where live-performance stages erupt with activity all over the metropolis. Want to feel like a local? Dress up in all white and take a dip in the ocean at the stroke of midnight - it's a tradition. riotur.rio

Music, bonfires and fireworks set the scene on Zanzibar beaches such as Nungwi and Kendwa, while the historic Stone Town springs to life with street parties, local bands and bustling night markets. The African island's Swahili culture, heavily shaped by African, Arab and Indian influences, gives a unique flair to NYE revelries in this part of the world. zanzibartourism.go.tz

Shibuya Crossing is Japan's answer to New York's Times Square, and the scenes on NYE are nothing short of spectacular, as thousands of revellers descend for street parties and giant digital screens project the countdown.

But Tokyo is a place for everyone, so if you want to do something offbeat, follow the locals to timeless temples such as Zojoji and Meiji Shrine for midnight prayers for good fortune. gotokyo.org

The City of Light is a dazzler at any time of the year, but things get seriously hectic on NYE. The sparkling Eiffel Tower, with world-class fireworks, is the piece de resistance. But plenty of other spots in the city offer partying opportunities - from Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, which glow with light installations, to public gatherings in Montmartre and legendary cabarets such as the Moulin Rouge. parisjetaime.com

No one does NYE parties in India quite like this beachside paradise. Where else can you dine on exquisite Goan fare one minute and party your heart out on a stunning beach the next? Then head back to your waterside luxury resort, where you can cure a hangover the next day - with a Bloody Mary in hand. goa-tourism.com

There are two reasons why NYE fireworks in Australia are flashed on billions of TV screens all over the world every year. One, because it's the first major country to head into the new year thanks to its position in the time zone. And, two, because the fireworks are just so goddamn good. Here are our three picks.

Sydney, NSW: It's not so much the fireworks but the staggering setting that makes Sydney Harbour - complete with the iconic Opera House and the handsome bridge - one of the most famous NYE locations on this planet. You can easily spend a fortune at a restaurant, party venue or cruise with dazzling views. Or you could head to sydneynewyearseve.com, where you'll find a map of amazing vantage points, with many locations where no tickets are required.

Rottnest Island, WA: The Zanzibars and the Goas of this world are not the only places with NYE fireworks on beaches; Perth's family-friendly Rotto puts on a dazzling 8pm show, too. Head to Thompson Bay to soak up the spectacle lighting up the skies.

Cairns, Qld: Adventure meets party thrills in Cairns, where you can explore natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef by day, then head to the Cairns Esplanade for 9pm and midnight fireworks. Nearby Palm Cove has its own fireworks at 8.30pm, and for the best NYE party, make your way to Crystalbrook Riley hotel's rooftop bar, Rocco - the highest in the city.