New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate.  It's a time to close the year that is passed and look forward with hope to the year ahead.

While many people will mark the moment in the quiet of their own home, others will party with friends, and others will celebrate at some special New Years event.

Here is a list of some New Years Eve events around the world.  It will take some planning to get to some, so perhaps it's time to plan for next year.  

The Big Apple - New York City is the probably the best known location for New Year's celebrations.  For years people have been going to Times Square to watch the entertainment, the ball drop, and to bring in the New Year.  Others have been watching the event and entertainment on the television for years.

Sydney - Be among the first to celebrate ringing in the New Year.  Join the crowd down on the Harbour watching the fireworks with the backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Have a meal or a drink at a bar or restaurant in The Rocks.  It's summertime in Sydney so no need to dress in layers.  Arrive early to claim your viewing spot as the best ones fill quickly.

Rome - The Eternal City can be a great city to ring in 2015.  Fireworks can be observed all over the city.  One of my most memorable travel experiences was the fireworks display at Circo Massimo, the site of the Roman chariot races. With some of the Roman ruins in the background, fireworks went off silhouetting the buildings.  In another part of the city, Villa Borghese befittingly has classical music, fireworks and traditional Italian food.  There is much going on in the city...seemingly everywhere...seemingly endless.

Cape Town - While next day is the beginning of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, plenty happens on New Year's Eve.  The waterfront is the scene of a concert and fireworks display.  As well other concerts and events are held as Cape Town brings in the New Year and parties well beyond midnight.  The Minstrel Festival or "Kaapse clops" keeps the party going.  It has colourful parades, along with dancers, musicians, and minstrels.

Toronto - Nathan Philips Square in the city centre is the main location of Toronto's New Year's Eve celebrations.  There is live entertainment which starts early in the evening.  You can put on skates and blade around the rink at the Square to bring in the New Year.  At midnight fireworks are lit to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.  There are also celebrations in other parts of the city.  A variety of activities are available for the whole family.

Niagara Falls -  Celebrate New Years Eve in Victoria Park, with the backdrop of Niagara Falls.  Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with live music and entertainment.  Included in this year's list of entertainers are Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Lights, and Shawn Mendes.  There are fireworks at both 9:00 p.m. and midnight.   All of this and more, and it's free.      

New Orleans - To mark the New Year, there is a fireworks display that erupts over the Mississippi River.  In a take-off of New York's famous ball, there is the Fleur de Lis drop from the roof of a building in Jackson Square which is the centre of the festivities.  The French Quarter is alive until the early hours of New Year's Day with music and people.   

Orlando - One could say it's like New Year's Eve every day at Disney World, but on New Year's Eve it is even more so.  The party goes on all day in the park with live entertainment which includes Cirque du Soleil presentations.  There are fireworks 'a la Disney' at midnight, and the celebrations continue until 1:00 a.m.  This is definitely a party for everyone in the family.

Paris - The City of Lights throw a big party for New Year's Eve.  Street parties are everywhere.  The Champs-Elysees is the main area for the festivities, as well as around the Eiffel Tower for the fireworks display.  Clubs, restaurants and bars are open quite late to let you celebrate and dance away the first hours of the New Year.  Up in Montmartre there is a more causal street party, and while a distance away from the Champs-Elysees, the plaza around Sacre Coeur allows a great view of the city and the fireworks.  For something more romantic take a cruise along the Seine to bring in the New Year. 

Edinburgh - Hogmanay is the name the Scots give to New Year's celebration which begin on December 30 and last for three to four nights.  A torch procession starts the celebrations.  Street parties take place with the biggest one running the full length of Princes Street on December 31.  To mark the New Year a fireworks display takes place above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.

London - London pulls out all the stops for the biggest party of the year. Over 250,000 people cram along the boats and banks of the River Thames and its surrounding bars and restaurants for a prime view of the night's events. As the epic countdown begins and Big Ben strikes midnight, the city erupts in a dramatic 10-minute light show and firework display, set to a backdrop of the towering London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster.  Festivities don't end on New Year's Eve though -- there's a three-hour parade in central London on New Year's Day, with colourful floats, marching bands, costumed dancers and a procession of the Queen's horses.

Vienna - Vienna provides a cultural and classical theme for New Years with a lot to do in this  city already decorated for the Christmas markets which are now New Years fairs.  The fireworks are at the Wiener Prater.  The Grand Ball is at the Hofburg Palace,  There are other balls and galas, as well as concerts, even dinner cruises along the Danube.  And the party doesn't stop that night.  The next day, a crowd gathers in the square of the City Hall to watch the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform their New Year's concert on a large screen TV.

Not enough time to plan for New Years 2015?  There's always Hong Kong and the Lunar New Year.  This year, the Year of the Goat, begins on February 19.  Or start planning now for New Years 2016.

And now to decide....

Christmas Markets V - European Highlights

One way to get into the spirit of the season is to go to a Christmas Market.  The sights, sounds and smells of a market evoke thoughts of a Dickens' or old world Christmas.  A European tradition, they began in the 1400s in Germany.

For the last several weeks you have had the opportunity to read about Christmas Markets in North America.  As a final writing about markets for this year, here is a brief tour some of the highly recommended markets in Europe.

Nuremberg - The Nuremberg Christmas Market or Christkindlesmarkt is held from November 28 to December 24.  It is one of the largest German Christmas markets, and it is among the best known in the world.  Enjoy the sights and sounds of the market in the central square and streets surrounding it.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Copenhagen - Tivoli Gardens is the setting for the Copenhagen Christmas Market.  The market allows you to experience some of the traditions of a Scandinavian Christmas.  As well as the Market, there are so many other events in the garden.  The Market runs from Novenber 15 to January 4.

Tivoli Christmas Market

Budapest - The Christmas Market in Budapest is set up in Vorosmarty Square from November 28 to December 31 (closed December 25 and 26).  Over 100 wooden pavilions display Christmas decorations, crafts, and one-of-a-kind gifts.  Treat yourself to Hungarian treats and snacks as you stroll, and enjoy performances by children, and adults featuring choirs, dance, bands and orchestras.  A giant Advent Calendar is set up on the facade of a building facing onto the square and each day of Advent a new window is opened.

Budapest Christmas Market

Vienna - Vienna, home of the waltz, also hosts many Christmas Markets.  From November 15 to December 24 the Weiner Christkindlmarkt is on the square in front of City Hall.  The area surrounding City Hall is decorated for the season, along with pony rides, displays of scenes from fairy tales, and an opportunity to ride the Christkindl Express.

Vienna Christmas Market

For other Christmas Markets in Vienna - The Many Christmas Markets of Vienna

Dresden - Dresden's Christmas Market is Germany's oldest Christmas Market tracing its history back to 1434.  It is known locally as the Streitzelmarkt.  "Streitzel" refers to the name of the well known Christmas cake of the area the "stollen".  The Stollen Fest occurs on the second Sunday of Advent  A giant stollen is carried into the town square, cut and given out to visitors at the market.  Over 200 stalls display many items including arts and crafts unique to the region.  The market is open from November 27 to December 24.

Dresden Christmas Market (Streitzelmarkt)

Prague - The Christmas Market in the Old Town Square of Prague is considered the prettiest and the busiest in the city.  This market is open from November 29 to January 1.  Stalls are set up with traditional Czech foods such as barbecued pork, beer and mulled wine.  Others sell arts and crafts and other gift ideas.  Two highlights of the market are a manger scene with live animals for children to stroke, and a huge, real Christmas tree that dominates the square.

Prague Christmas Market

Strasbourg - Strasbourg is often referred to as the Capital of Christmas.  Its Christmas Market is the oldest in France dating back to 1570 and maintains many of the traditions.  The Market is located in front of Strasbourg Cathedral and runs from November 28 to December 31.  The market has over 300 stalls (chalets) selling foods and arts and crafts.  Other areas of the city also have markets for Christmas.  In all of the choices, at least one should appeal to you and to your senses.

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Munich - In the capital of Bavaria, Munich's Christmas Market gives you a Bavarian Christmas experience.  While there are many markets in the city, the traditional one in Marienplatz is the most well-known.  The town hall behind the square helps to give the market a fairy tale setting.  Stalls are set up to sell arts and crafts, and, foods and drink of the Bavarian region.  The Market is open from November 27 - December 24.  As well, nearby at Theresienwiese (the site of Oktoberfest) is another market (November 25 - December 31), the Tollwood Winter Festival.  Stalls display arts and crafts and foods with a more international flavour.  As well there are live shows and entertainment.

Munich Christmas Market

Tollwood Winter Festival

Salzburg - The Christmas Market in Salzburg, the city of Mozart, is open from November 14 - December 26.  The Market is set up around the cathedral and in the shadows of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.  Stalls selling foods and gift items are set up.  As might be expected in Salzburg music is a prominent feature of this market.   There are concerts by local choirs and  children's choirs.  Turmblasen, a brass concert is held in the square every Saturday evening.

Salzburg Christmas Market

One way to visit a number of Christmas Markets is by taking a river cruise.  There are a number of European river cruises in November and December.  Experience the romance of the Rhine, Danube, Main, or Seine, relaxing as you go.  Enjoy the scenery of the castle-lined rivers.  Visit cities along the way decorated for Christmas and go to their Christmas Markets.

Uniworld has three holiday market cruises:
 - Nuremberg to Frankfurt on the Main River;
 - Basel to Cologne on the Rhine;
 - Passau to Budapest on the Danube;
 - and Paris to Paris on the Seine;
 plus other holiday cruises.
Uniworld Christmas Market Cruises

Check out rivercruise.com for an overview of many cruises that are available during the Christmas Market season.

http://www.rivercruise.com/christmas_markets.cfm

http://www.vikingrivercruisescanada.com/holiday-cruises/2014/index.html

http://www.amawaterways.com/christmas-markets