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Watching fireworks above the Niagara Falls is spectacular

Watching fireworks above the Niagara Falls is spectacular

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Skip overrated festivals like New York and Sydney for a cosy log cabin in Scotland or a reggae beach party in the British Virgin Islands, with our top five alternative New Year's Eve holidays.

Best New Year's Eve for families... Niagara Falls For a free night of music, fireworks and awe-inspiring waterfalls, head to Queen Victoria Park, where each year 30,000 spectators gather to celebrate the New Year. The concert is completely free and no alcohol is allowed on site. There will be two fireworks celebrations, one at 2100 and one at midnight, ensuring that even the youngest family members get to experience the lights over the thundering Niagara Falls. Book your room at the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill, a family-friendly establishment in the centre of the action, but hurry up, as these rooms go fast. Best New Year's Eve for a tropical countdown... British Virgin Islands

NYE-BVIHead for the tropics to celebrate the New Year in style
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Where has all the rum gone? Probably to Jost Van Dyke on the British Virgin Islands, where water-locked revellers partake in a two-day beach party that would make Jimi Hendrix proud. For a notorious celebration, check out the "Old Year's Night" party at Foxy's Tamarind bar, where tropical paradise is made all the more beautiful after a couple of glasses of Firewater Rum or Pain Killer Cocktail. The limited ferry rides mean that the party must last for 48 hours; most recharge with a snooze on the beach before Old Year's Night turns to New Year's Day. Best New Year's Eve for parties... Las Vegas
NYE-Las_VegasParty in Las Vegas this New Year's Eve
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You have two equally wild options for New Year's Eve celebrations in the party capital of the world, Las Vegas. Most will make their way to the Strip for America's Party, a massive street festival with fireworks, street performers, food and pretty much all things American. For those who love crowds, hot dogs and Elvis, this is your scene. For less grungy audiences and a lot more music, head to Fremont Street, where you can pay $20 to see Tribute-Palooza, a set of eight imitation bands belting it out for the New Year. Best New Year's Eve for escape... Aberfeldy log cabin, Scotland
NYE-ScotlandTry a Scottish log cabin for total seclusion this New Year's Eve
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Usher in the New Year with an inviting fire and the clinking of champagne glasses in a charming Scottish getaway. Log cabins, villas and small cottages are available for the entire family or a romantic cabin for two. Check out the secluded Machium Farm Cottages or the 5-star Lochside Lodge for the best log cabin experience. The town of Aberfeldy is only a short drive away, and with charming attractions like The Watermill art gallery and the Robert Burns Highland Tour across town, there's no risk of cabin fever. Best New Year's Eve for pub crawling... Edinburgh
NYE-EdinburghEdinburgh lights at Christmas and New Year
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Edinburgh wins the prize for most pubs per capita in Scotland, and the famous Hogmanay on New Year's makes this pretty evident. This four-day festival is a pint drinker's paradise. There will be burning effigies on the streets, indie bands before midnight and when the clock strikes 12, the entire city sings the legendary Scottish NYE anthem, "Auld Lang Syne". Make sure you bundle up - the Guinness may make you feel warm, but it promises to be a frosty countdown at Hogmanay this year.

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