Skip to main content

Thousands line the closed-to-traffic Las Vegas Strip every year, awaiting fireworks at midnight.LAURA RAUCH/The Associated Press

Memories of my last New Year's Eve blowout in booze-soaked Edinburgh are hazy to say the least. But, while I dimly recall some giddy al fresco dancing and a near-orgy of random midnight kissing, I'm fairly certain I had a blast. Next time, though, I'll aim closer to home.

Luckily, there are more options south of the border than you can shake a champagne bottle at – excluding Times Square's ball-dropping sardine crush.

In the alternate big city stakes, Chicago shoots its midnight fireworks from Navy Pier (navypier.com), where supporting attractions include ice-skating and fairground rides. You can also hop aboard crowd-avoiding late-night cruises or stay onshore for a big ballroom bash – tickets for Crystal Gardens' popular shindig start at $115 (U.S.) (crystalgardensnye.com).

An estimated one million well-wrapped revellers will also hit Beantown's streets for the family friendly First Night Boston (firstnightboston.org). A parade, ice sculptures and live music are featured, while a $10 button gets you access to most of the action at what is one of the United States' oldest public New Year parties.

Shivering doesn't have to be a dance move, though. Under balmier California skies, San Francisco's free fireworks display fizzes from barges just off the Embarcadero waterfront. But you'll need tickets – from $65 – for the ever-popular festivities at City Hall (nyecityhall.com), complete with live stages, hot DJs and a mammoth midnight balloon drop.

While Disney parks and even Legoland California offer parties, many carousers will be making (and maybe breaking) their New Year resolutions over in Vegas. Thousands line the closed-to-traffic Strip every year, awaiting fireworks that shower from rooftops like a fiery Bellagio fountain display. There are party options here for every budget.

Nightclub parties this year include Snoop Dogg at Tao, and Drake at Marquee. But if you can't snag tickets for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga at the Cosmopolitan or you're hesitant to drop $300 on the Tropicana's black tie booze-a-thon, free-entry countdown parties are also available at the Mandalay Bay and Hard Rock Hotel. See vegas.com/newyears for more options.

It's hard, though, to beat New Orleans. Make sure you're in Jackson Square as the fleur-de-lis drops, then dive into the block party feel of the French Quarter. Looking for an event? Try the Hyatt Regency (bignightneworleans.com).

Wherever you head in the United States, book event tickets ASAP. Early bird deals often apply and some parties sell out quickly. But if you're finding the big-city celebrations are full, consider somewhere smaller.

There's a family friendly free event in downtown Austin, Tex., with bands and an early fireworks display. Toe-tapping locals will also be partying into the night at cool venues, such as Speakeasy (speakeasyaustin.com) and the Russian House (russianhouseofaustin.com).

Nashville also has a rich musical heritage to tap. Its signature outdoor event (visitmusiccity.com/newyearseve) showcases five hours of live music (headlined by Lady Antebellum), but for more intimate parties consider Acme (theacmenashville.com) or City Winery (citywinery.com).

What about partying with bearded plaid-wearers? In Portland, Ore., Funklandia at the Crystal Ballroom (crystalballroompdx.com) is headlined this year by the Motet, while the Scott Pemberton Trio plays the Goodfoot (thegoodfoot.com). Tickets are less than $30 for each event, saving you enough for a bacon-topped Voodoo Doughnuts hangover cure the next day.

Finally, there's more to New York than Times Square, especially if you want to catch bands that would never be featured on a Dick Clark show. Party with alt rockers Deer Tick at the Brooklyn Bowl (brooklynbowl.com) or head to the Knitting Factory for Prince Rama (bk.knittingfactory.com).

Or get as far from the madding Manhattan crowds as possible at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg (petescandystore.com), an intimate venue that's staging a full New Year's Eve of quirky bands presented by the ironically named Brooklyn Drinkers Union. With any luck, you'll still attract plenty of random midnight smooches.

Send your travel questions to concierge@globeandmail.com.

OUR READERS WRITE

  • Nashville. Tootsies Orchid Lounge and the other honky tonk bars on Broadway, from Bridgestone arena to 1st Avenue. @WayneWriteOn
  • New Year’s Eve in Seattle is fun – with a great fireworks show from the Space Needle. @suefrause
  • First Night Boston. Events for the whole family: great entertainment and fireworks. @KarineAlden
  • Florida. We love the sizzlin’ heat. @DeeBeesOrganics
  • New Orleans – that city can party like nowhere else. @waheedaharris
  • I’m going to be wiggling my toes in the warm Pacific on Waikiki Beach – after a few mai tais at House Without A Key restaurant. @ClaireFromYVR
  • The Delano Hotel in South Beach [Miami]. @pall_com
  • Las Vegas. @EFashionCanada
  • Las Vegas. Fireworks at midnight; every resort has a pretty amazing dinner and party with all inclusive events; and there are also the biggest DJs headlining. @Chiqee
  • While it was packed to capacity, Disney’s Magic Kingdom was a pretty special way to ring in 2012. The fireworks at midnight were the best I’ve ever watched. Plus, the atmosphere was so upbeat. @JohnHimpe

Interact with The Globe