AS 2025 comes to a close, you might be starting to think about where to spend the start of 2026 – and destinations across Europe have some pretty spectacular celebrations.
Whether you enjoy dancing in a club or wrapping up warm and watching the fireworks, there are all sorts of celebrations that take place on December 31.
And if you are fed up of celebrating here in the UK, then Europe has some great events to fly to, to see in the New Year in a new country.
Berlin, Germany
We have all heard about Berlin being rated for its nightlife, so celebrating New Year in the city must be good.
On New Year’s Eve the city turns into one huge celebration.
Head to the Brandenburg Gate and you will find one of Europe‘s largest open-air parties which draws in more than a million people each year.
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And what is even better is that unlike London‘s expensive fireworks, entry is completely free.
Inside, visitors will be able to browse stalls selling traditional bratwursts and currywurst.
There are also stages that host both German and international acts.
Even if you choose to stay in your hotel room on the big night, you can participate in a decades-old tradition.
Every TV and many independent cinemas across the city screen ‘Dinner for One’, which is a black-and-white British sketch from 1963.
Having first broadcast in Germany in 1972, it has run every New Year’s Eve since, becoming a tradition.
Families will even joke about the butler’s catchphrase: “Same procedure as every year”.
For those wanting to head out clubbing, well there are plenty of places to choose from in the city.
If you are lucky enough to get in, Berghain’s New Year’s celebrations start on December 31 and run until January 2.
Return flights to Berlin in December cost from £81 from Manchester, or £83 from Edinburgh or London.
Malaga, Spain
In Malaga in Spain, on New Year’s Eve – or Nochevieja, as they call it – Malaga’s Plaza de la Constitucion fills with people carrying 12 grapes.
Whilst this may seem unusual, it is a tradition that dates back to 1909 when Alicante winemakers promoted the ritual after a good harvest.
When the bell strikes each time at midnight, each person eats a grape.
Supermarkets even sell grapes portioned out in small plastic tubs ready for the celebration.
When the bell chimes for the 12th time, fireworks illuminate the sky and the streets around Calle Larios turn into dance parties, with live bands and DJs.
Temperatures are usually mild with highs of 18C and lows of 8C, making it the ideal destination to enjoy New Year’s in the fresh air.
When the sun eventually comes up, people then head to churrerias – shops or stands that specialise in making and selling churros.
Return flights to Malaga in December cost from £27 from Bristol and Liverpool or £28 from Birmingham or Manchester.
Interlaken, Switzerland
In the town of Interlaken in Switzerland, you will find the country’s longest New Year, with a festival lasting three days.
It starts on December 31 when fireworks are launched from the Hoheweg promenade with the Jungfrau summit in the background.
Then on New Year’s Day, Hohematte park hosts a free concert, known as Touch the Mountains.
The line-up usually features Swiss and international acts.
Finally, on January 2, is Harder-Potschete – an entire event dedicated to Alpine folklore.
The event features a masked procession which dates back centuries, and is led by the Hardermannli – a figure from local legend that is believed to be a ghost of a monk punished and sent to the cliffs above the town.
Locals and visitors then wear wooden carved masks and fur and head through the streets as bells and drums play.
After the parade finishes, people gather in many of the towns restaurants and pubs to have a meal.
Return flights to Zurich in December cost from £71 from London or £76 from Manchester.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon in Portugal is known for having amazing fireworks, especially when you watch them from the Tagus River.
Alternatively, you could head to one of several miradouros (lookouts) which are dotted across the hills around the capital.
In Praça do Comércio – Portugal‘s biggest square – there are then lots of celebrations, with live music, parties and Portuguese sparkling wine.
And for those who want to embrace local traditions, then eat 12 raisins, one by one, at midnight and then drink a glass of espumante.
Return flights to Lisbon in December cost from £43 from London or £49 from Manchester.
Stockholm, Sweden
Over in chilly Stockholm, Nyårsafton (NYE) celebrations begin at home, or if you are visiting, in the hotel, with lots of food and drink.
Just before midnight the party then starts.
Since 1985, locals have headed to Skansen, an outdoor museum in the city, to ring in the new year.
At midnight, a person reads Tennyson’s ‘Ring Out, Wild Bells’ and streamers burst above peoples heads.
There are then plenty of places to head to after to enjoy some dancing, such as Berns and Club Backdoor.
Return flights to Stockholm in December cost from £36 from London.
Reykjavik, Iceland
If you fancy seeing ice and snow, head to Reykjavik for New Year’s.
Celebrations start in the day and take over the entire city.
In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, the city lights around 12 bonfires where people head, to enjoy a warm drink, some singing and food.
Then when it comes to New Year’s Eve itself, people gather on the streets at around 8pm to light different items.
However, this abruptly stops at 10:30pm, when the TV show Aramotaskaupio is broadcast – a comedy about all the year’s events.
Once the show is over, the fireworks then light up the sky.
Return flights to Reykjavik in December cost from £74 from Bristol or £94 from London.
Collioure, France
For perhaps a slightly less crowded New Year’s Eve, head to Collioure in France.
This quaint fishing village is usually quite quiet, but on New Year’s Eve it comes to life.
During the early evening of December 31, locals will set up tables and blankets through the village’s stone walkways and the beachfront.
Then, people enjoy food together.
Some tents also provide food, like fresh oysters and sparkling wine.
The mayor then makes a speech and a live band begins to play in the main square.
At midnight, people then head to the beach to watch the fireworks as they light up the ocean below.
The closest airport to Collouire is Girona, with return flights to Girona in December costing from £28 from London or £29 from Manchester.