Here's the Best Places to Spend NYE UK 2023

We always look forward to welcoming a new year, especially when the previous one hasn’t lived up to our expectations. There are some places in the UK that truly take their New Year’s Eve celebrations to the ultimate next level, through dazzling fireworks displays that light up the sky, to street parties and festivals that welcome people of all ages. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top places within the UK that will help make your NYE as memorable as possible.

Best Places to Spend NYE UK 2023

20. Lake District

Best for: Couples, Families

The Lake District may not be high on your list of places to see in the New Year in style, however, the Lake District is a hidden gem when it comes to hosting New Year’s Eve events. With private hotel events, public events held at nightclubs or pubs and festivities across the region, you’re bound to find the perfect place to ring in the New Year.

19. Portsmouth

Best for: Couples, Friends

Portsmouth in Southern England is a quiet but vibrant city and hosts New Year in numerous different ways– from gala parties and balls in private hotel venues to large-scale events like casinos, discos, live music and sweeping views over the harbour. Head to Spinnaker Tower and secure tickets to one of the best New Year’s you’ve had in a long time.

18. Fishguard

Best for: Firework Displays, Kid-Friendly Events, A Memorable Night Out

Fishguard in Pembrokeshire, Wales has consistently been ranked among the top UK venues for New Year's Eve parties, with its renowned NYE Street Party. Think food stalls, kid zones, live music and bands, games and bars selling every type of drink you can imagine. Watch the sky light up with fireworks at midnight and enjoy the sense of community that this street party offers to all its attendees.

17. Inverness

Best for: A Stylish Way to Celebrate New Year

Scotland sure knows how to celebrate New Year, or as they call it, Hogmanay, in style. While Edinburgh may be high on your list of places to go for New Year celebrations, don’t count Inverness out. With its Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay event, Inverness attracts revellers from across the UK to celebrate. With well-known Scottish bands playing live music, ceilidhs, food stalls and kid-friendly activities, this is the perfect place to celebrate New Year Scottish Highland style! As the clock strikes midnight, enjoy the beautiful fireworks display that sets the sky alight with colour.

16. Belfast

Best for: Couples, Friends

Belfast has a reputation for hosting premium New Year's Eve events, parties and activities. Head to a gala ball or black-tie event, discos, 1920s or 80s-themed parties, dining events, the lot. Belfast also has exceptional transport links. Celebrate and see in the New Year in a unique, swanky and hip way, courtesy of Northern Ireland’s capital city.

15. Bristol

Best for: Friends, Couples

Kick off your New Year’s at one of Bristol’s many pubs, bars and clubs. Attend a masquerade ball, gala or party, enjoy some great cocktails with friends or watch the fireworks illuminate the sky from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and in other prime locations across the city.

14. Derry

Best for: An Unforgettable Night Out, A Stylish Way to Celebrate New Year’s

Think Gala Balls, private black-tie hotel events, large-scale bars and pub events, the lot! While Derry may not be high up in your rankings of best places to spend your New Year's Eve, we’ve included it simply because of its almighty effort in helping locals and visitors celebrate their New Year’s in a stylish and unforgettable way.

13. Swansea

Best for: Friends, A Fun-Filled Night Out

Head for bottomless brunch on New Year's Eve, attend a 1920s-themed jazz or swing party, dance the night away at one of the many clubs or bars or simply enjoy a drink at a pub with friends and cheers as the clock strikes midnight. Why not head down to the Waterfront Winterland Fair and enjoy some rides or go ice skating? There’s lots to do on New Year’s Eve in Wales’ second-largest city.

12. Sheffield

Best for: Friends, A Memorable Night Out

On New Year’s Eve, Sheffield comes alive with events, activities, parties and stylish ways to celebrate the beginning of a new year. Across the city, you can expect to go dancing at numerous discos, parties and large-scale events at the many nightclubs dotted around, as well as enjoy cocktails at your favourite bar with friends, watch live music events or attend a swanky gala in the heart of the city.

11. Aberdeen

Best for: Couples, Friends, Families

Scotland’s ‘Granite City’ certainly knows how to show its residents and visitors a good time– think lively Hogmanay celebrations in the form of ceilidhs, street parties with live music performances from tribute artists, stunning firework displays, parties across the city, and upscale dining events. There’s no better place in Northern Scotland to celebrate New Year or Hogmanay.

10. Liverpool

Best for: A Memorable Night Out, Fireworks, Friends, Family-Fun

Liverpool is known for its buzzing social and nightlife scene, which becomes electrified on New Year’s Eve with a range of cocktail parties, galas, extravagant dinners, circus and opulent 1920s-themed parties, and fireworks on the dock at midnight– what more could you ask for on your NYE?

9. Brighton

Best for: Dancing, Fireworks, Parties

Often named as ‘London by the sea’, Brighton has a reputation for its lively nightlife, beachfront and pier. On New Year’s Eve, Brighton is at its best. Beachfront parties are held, fireworks light up the sky over Brighton Pier and Beach, pubs and bars celebrate with special menus and alcohol, and nightclubs host raves, parties and events– it’s truly the place to be.

8. Glasgow

Best for: Parties, Cocktails, Fireworks, An Enjoyable Evening

Attend a NYE bash, VIP party or swanky gala, and watch the dazzling firework display light up the skies above Scotland’s biggest city. Glasgow sure knows how to celebrate Hogmanay in style. If your main goal for NYE is simply to enjoy yourself, you’re certainly in the right place to do so.

7. Leeds

Best for: A Fun-Filled Night Out, Families, Couples, Friends

Start off with a bottomless brunch or dinner menu, then head to a swanky 1920s-themed party, watch a cabaret act or circus performance as you sip on cocktails or unlimited prosecco, and then head to the main city centre to watch the beautiful firework displays as the new year begins. The best part is that you can include the whole family in your Leeds New Year's Eve Celebrations, with family and kid-friendly parties, events and activities.

6. Cardiff

Best for: Families, Couples, Friends

Start your New Year with a bang in the Welsh capital, with firework displays, New Year’s Eve parties and Cardiff’s famous Winter Wonderland attraction, complete with an ice rink, fun fair and food and drink available. Live the VIP life at private gala balls or black tie events, enjoy your favourite tipple at a bar on Cardiff Bay, or dance the night away at a New Year’s Eve rave or party.

5. St Ives, Cornwall

Best for: Street Parties, Fireworks, Fancy Dress, A Unique and Creative Way to See-In the New Year

St Ives in Cornwall is a quiet but vibrant town and a place where people flock all year round, including New Year’s Eve. Its New Year celebrations are extra special– imagine lively street parties with people singing, dancing and enjoying the atmosphere; people dressing in fancy dress and roaming the streets, dazzling fireworks over St Ives’ harbour, and VIP treatment for every attendee or local who comes out to celebrate the new year.

4. Birmingham

Best for: Families

If you’re looking for a VIP experience, head to Birmingham for New Year. Masquerade Balls, galas, parties for the whole family and comedy clubs dominate the social scene, whilst the WinterFunland adds a festive touch to your New Year’s celebrations, with its funfair rides, activities and an ice rink that are perfect for the whole family. Once you’re done with your night of fun, head to Centenary Square to watch the midnight fireworks.

3. Manchester

Best for: Anyone Looking to Celebrate New Year in Style

The great thing about Manchester is its collection of rooftop bars. Imagine having aerial views of the city as the fireworks light up the skies above and everyone begins to countdown– there’s no better feeling. But, you don’t just have to enjoy your favourite tipple at a rooftop bar. Why not dance the night away at a club, attend a rave, or stroll down the streets and enjoy the atmosphere? There’s certainly plenty to do in this beautiful city.

2. London

Best for: The Best Night Out You’ve Ever Had

Not only is London the capital of the UK, but it’s also the capital of New Year’s Eve when it comes to premium celebrations. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland welcomes locals and visitors alike; Big Ben, The Thames River and the London Eye are illuminated with firework displays and performances, plus there are live music performances, cabaret acts, street parties, dance nights, we could go on…

1. Edinburgh

Best for: Anyone and Everyone!

The capital of Scotland and the capital of Hogmanay, Edinburgh is the ultimate place to be for a New Year’s celebration. Edinburgh rings in the New Year through citywide ceilidhs, live music events, lively street parties, discos and, as the new year begins, a dazzling firework display over Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh also holds a Torchlight Procession which you can attend, the aim of which is to raise awareness and money for homelessness. It’s truly a creative, vibrant and inclusive atmosphere on the streets of Edinburgh during New Year, and we’re certain you won’t want to miss it.