The UK’s best New Year celebrations
Will you be attending one of the biggest New Year celebrations in the UK?
After you’ve read this handy little guide, you might be! We’ve found you the very best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations to bring in 2019. Up and down the UK there will be fancy dress, fireworks, bonfires and even sea swimming (for the adventurous souls, of course) as we celebrate what a year 2018 has been and look forward to the next.
The best New Year’s Eve party spots:
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebration is a world-renowned spectacle that takes place over three days. To celebrate on New Year’s Eve itself you can choose from two concerts, a traditional ceilidh and spectacular firework displays. Not a party to be missed!
Looe
If you like fancy dress this is the party for you. This small Cornish town comes alive for New Year’s Eve and hosts a town-wide fancy dress party. There are pubs, clubs and restaurants to enjoy as well as two firework displays.
St Ives
Another ideal spot for a Cornish New Year’s Eve extravaganza is St Ives. This town hosts a huge fancy dress party with closed roads so you can party right across the town. Enjoy live music and food stalls as well as themed parties in the bars and restaurants. Of course, there will be a firework display to see the night out with too.
London
New Year’s Eve in London is an iconic event. There are hundreds of events dotted across the capital but the fireworks really steal the show. Held by the London Eye, not only will you get a wonderful display but it is all the more magical for the London skyline backdrop.
Newquay
Cornwall is a surprising hot spot for New Year’s Eve celebrations. If Looe or St Ives don’t take your fancy, how about a fancy dress extravaganza in Newquay. Well known for the range of outrageous costumes as people party across the town, this celebration welcomes the New Year in with a firework display at the harbour.
Bideford
Bideford, a small port town in Devon, really comes alive for New Year. It’s regularly touted as one of the best spots in Britain to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The town’s roads will be closed to traffic as fancy dressed revellers enjoy a range activities on offer.
Weymouth
Perched on the seaside in Dorset, Weymouth hosts a spectacular New Year’s Eve party. With fancy dress and live music, this town-wide party will be one to remember. If you love fancy dress there is a competition to enter as well.
Comrie
The Comrie Flambeaux Procession in Perthshire is an impressive way to see the New Year in. This small village holds a big celebration. Eight torches made of small birch trees are paraded around the village, with the burning portion of the torch sometimes reaching ten feet long. There will also be pipers, a bonfire and fancy dress.
Stonehaven
Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire hosts an impressive New Year’s celebration. Home to a Fireball ceremony, New Year’s Eve there will be a party to remember. The flame swinging spectacle starts at midnight and lasts for twenty-five minutes – a tradition that dates back over a hundred years.
Portsmouth
If you would rather spend New Year’s Eve inside rather than brave the crowds and the cold, Portsmouth might be just the place for you. The famous Spinnaker Tower hosts a fantastic New Year’s celebration. A ticket here will get you a cocktail, canapés, music, dancing, and wonderful views to see the New Year in with.
Newcastle
The bustling city of Newcastle hosts a New Year’s Eve spectacular. There are events across the city from party games to a carnival and of course fireworks. One of the biggest events is the Winter Carnival Parade; an evening of entertainment not to be missed.
Birmingham
Birmingham hosts a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Across the city, you will find themed parties, music and a much-anticipated countdown ending in a fantastic firework display. There are few better places to spend the last night of the year.
Glasgow
From Ceilidh dances to live music and parties across the city, Glasgow has a lot to offer for a New Year’s Eve to remember. Whether you’re going with family or friends, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Allendale
Allendale is home to the Tar Bar’l Festival; an impressive procession worth making the trip for. There are 45 barrel carriers who wear fancy dress and carry barrels of burning tar throughout the town. These barrels are then used to light the bonfire. It’s a stunning event for all the family.
Cardiff
Cardiff is a buzzing city that holds an exceptional New Year’s Eve. From club nights to parties and stunning fireworks, there is plenty to choose from in the Welsh capital. With something for everyone, this is a party spot not to be missed.
Bristol
The beautiful city of Bristol has a lot to offer New Year’s Eve revellers. Choose from skating, parties or the theatre. In bars and clubs across the city, there are plenty of events to choose from as the city comes alive for the biggest party of the year.
Inverness
The Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay Show is an Inverness tradition that is certainly worth making the journey to enjoy. It’s an excellent event that all the family can enjoy.
Cynon Valley
Cynon Valley is home to the Nos Galan Road Race and brings in hundreds of people for New Year’s Day. The run is three laps for adults and one for children. It is sure to be an invigorating start to the New Year.
The best places to spend New Year’s Day:
Cheltenham
New Year’s day is popular for horse racing, and where better to go than Cheltenham? This is a popular day out and there will be live music as well as some top quality racing.
North Yorkshire
Ever considered taking part in an endurance event on New Year’s Day? It would certainly start the year off on an active foot. If so, head to North Yorkshire where the Hardmoors Race Series runs two races on New Year’s Day. Choose between 15 or 30 miles.
London
On New Year’s Day, London hosts a parade through its streets. Starting at 12 noon, there will be thousands of people performing in this wonderful spectacle. Don’t miss out on some of the most amazing performers, musicians and floats.
Fakenham
For more horse racing make sure you don’t miss Fakenham; holding the biggest New Year’s Day race meetings. It is sure to be a great day of thrilling racing and fun for all the family.
Saundersfoot
Saundersfoot, Wales sees hundreds of people dash into the sea on New Years’ Day to welcome in the New Year. It is a fun and friendly event but not for the faint-hearted as the water will be very cold! There might not be a more bracing way to start the year.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh really welcomes the New Year in style; with three days of activities and parties. On New Year’s Day, you can enjoy a refreshing start to the new year with a dip in the River Forth, in an event known as Loony Dook.
Musselburgh
For more horse racing options Musselburgh Racecourse is not one to be missed. With jump racing on offer and the historic New Year Sprint, this is sure to provide an enjoyable start to the New Year. There will be food and drink available to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
Looe
If braving the cold Cornish sea on New Year’s Day appeals to you, then you might like to take part in The Famous Looe New Year’s Day Dip. What a refreshing way to start the year! Make sure you bring warm clothes for after, the sea is certain to be cold.
Exeter
Exeter Racecourse offers a great day of horse racing on the 1st January. With thrilling racing and delicious food available, a day here is sure to be an enjoyable start to the New Year.
If you still can’t find something you love then why not check out all our top deals for New Year’s cottages and get your loved ones together for a night to remember?
