Top 10 New Year's Eve Parties in the World

Celebrating the New Year is a worldwide tradition, bringing with it spectacular firwork shows, late night parties, dancing and general merriment. If you are looking somewhere other than your hometown to ring in the New Year in 2009, there are plenty of other places to be.

Here are the top 10 New Year's Eve parties in the world to celebrate in 2009. Happy New Year!

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is one of the trendiest and hottest places to vacation right now, and a winter stop for New Years is the perfect way to spend the holiday. Brazil knows how to party and an entire festival is planned for the day called the Fiesta de Iemanja where gifts are given to the beautiful Goddess Iemanja. Enjoy the rest of the night at the beach with plenty of drinking, dancing and beautiful people.

New York

New York's New Year's Eve celebration is one of the most publicized parties in the world and one of the most widely attended. Times Square is at the center of it all, but there are so many other places to spend the night within the city. Besides watching the famous, brilliant ball drop in Time's Square there are several cruise options, shows and concerts that come into town for the special day and several hundred bars and nightclubs to explore. Whatever your preference, New York can provide you with the perfect evening.

Sydney

Celebrating the New Year in the Southern Hemisphere, especially a city like Sydney, is always memorable, especially for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. The views of the harbor in Sydney are made for spectacular firework shows and Sydney delivers. Head down to Dawes Point to take part in the traditional pub crawl before and after the show is set off.

Rome

One of my most memorable New Year's Eve celebrations was spent in the Eternal City ringing in the new Millennium. While that was one incredible night, the celebrations in Rome are always big, festive and well attended. Public and private concerts by well known singers are held throughout the city, restaurants stay open all night to serve traditional Italian dinners. Top spots in the city to set up a party include Piazza del Popolo, St. Peter's Square and at the Quirinale.

Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand is not the first place people think of celebrating the New Year, but don't let that keep you from enjoying the company of happy go lucky Thais. Fireworks are traditionally set off over the Chao Hraya River and can be viewed from several points in the city. But don't plan on staying in one spot to ring in the New Year, everywhere you go impromptu parties of people spring up and the celebrating is open to anyone and everyone.

Paris

If you are looking for the perfect place to ring in the New Year with someone special, Paris is the best choice. The city of light is always lit up at night, and New Year's Eve offers an extra special lights show at midnight. In Paris, the New Year celebrations have a month long run so there is plenty of time to get everything in that you want to see and do. The nightclubs are packed, and crowds fill Champs-Elysees and Sacre Coeur Cathedral plaza.

Cape Town

Cape Town has long been a trendy destination in South Africa, and it is a great place to ring in the New Year in 2009. If you are used to celebrating the day outside in the cold, you will be thrilled with the public parties, dancing and celebrating in the streets in comfort. Cape Town is alive with nightclubs, bars and restaurants that are packed with late night revelers.

Las Vegas

If any town knows how to party, it's Vegas. Las Vegas was an entire city built around the entertainment industry and the New Year's celebrations that are sponsored by both the city and private hotels and casino , when combined, are bigger and more extravagant than any other celebrations in the world. New Year's Eve in Las Vegas is one big street fest, with the Strip closed off to traffic and pedestrians taking over. Nightclubs and casinos begin selling tickets early for their hosted events that are usually well attended by celebrities and feature live concerts.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has long been a destination for travelers to China, and it is the best place to celebrate the New Year before all the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations begin. Celebrating the New Year in Hong Kong is about as close to celebrating the New Year in New York as you can get. Hong Kong has its own Time's Square and even installed a very similar ball that drops at midnight, just like it all happens in NYC. Once the ball stops a firework show is set off in the harbor.

The parties and public celebrations in Hong Kong are only part of the draw, the shopping and entertainment in the city is among the best and sure to keep every visitor busy no matter your tastes.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland provides the perfect balance of entertainment and affordability. Those that are looking into celebrating the New Year in London, but are put off by the prices, or if you regularly ring in the New year in London, but interested in a different scene-- Edinburgh is the place for you. Edinburgh while smaller than London is just as lively and gives any city a run for its money in the number of pubs and parties.

New Year's Eve in Edinburgh is complete with the traditional festival of Scotland, known as Hogmanay , which lasts a full four days. Street parties, live concerts and a firework show at midnight are all part of the planned fun