CHRISTMAS WORLDWIDE
Harbour fireworks, rooftop parties and a boat with a view of both. These 15 festive parties are compared on price, the view and what is poured.
Join VMT Madeira Catamaran at Funchal Marina for a short New Year’s Eve cruise timed around the island’s famous fireworks. You’ll watch the display from offshore while Funchal glows below, with champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks included. English and Portuguese guidance is available.
“It was a magnificent experience, very well organised, but most of all the fireworks were amazing :)”
Join Catamaran Seaborn at Funchal Marina at 11:00 PM for a 90-minute New Year cruise. You’ll pass Madeira’s Christmas lights, return to the bay for the midnight fireworks, and toast with champagne and Madeira wine. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and warm clothing is essential.
“Absolutely brilliant, great crew. Lovely atmosphere everyone was out to have a good time.”
Leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbor at 11 pm aboard a comfortable Special Tours boat. Cruise into Faxaflói Bay, watch fireworks erupt across the city, and raise a glass of champagne at midnight. You can watch from the indoor saloon or open deck. Warm overalls and a bar are included, with return around 12:30 am.
Board the Gróf Széchenyi at Akadémia 2 for a six-hour New Year’s Eve cruise with a five-course dinner, unlimited listed drinks, Rajkó Ensemble folk music and dance, a midnight buffet, and a DJ party. You will pass Budapest’s lit bridges, Parliament, and Buda landmarks, with an English-speaking host and three menu choices.
“Repas n’est pas raffiné! Cher pour rien!!!! Pas beaucoup d’ambiance.”
Spend three hours aboard the Pacific cruise ship, leaving from Doca da Marinha for a New Year’s Eve party on the Tagus. A live DJ, open bar, cheese and charcuterie board, city views, and midnight champagne accompany the cruise past Alfama, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and Praça do Comércio. Hosts speak Portuguese, English, and French.
Spend New Year’s Eve on a climate-controlled City Cruises boat with a reserved table, chef-prepared buffet, open bar, live DJ, and sparkling wine toast for adults 21 and older. You’ll view the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and other landmarks from the Hudson and East Rivers, with fireworks weather permitting.
“The decoration and the atmosphere were amazing. Everyone was super friendly, the food was good. The music could have included more new songs, unfortunately only oldies were played, which meant that the dance floor was getting a little emptier. But overall it was a great experience, although it could have gone on a little longer, 3 hours went by way too quickly.”
Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2027 on a five-hour Istanbul cruise between Europe and Asia. Travel See Life LTD provides hotel pickup and return, dinner, unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks, Turkish dance shows, a DJ, and midnight champagne. An English-speaking host or greeter is provided. Fireworks may be limited by official restrictions.
“Everything was well organized. Having a hotel pick-up and drop-off service was great. Finding a taxi wasn't a problem on this crowded night. The dance shows were very entertaining. The main courses and appetizers were adequate. Also, having unlimited drinks at the open bar was a nice bonus.”
Spend a festive evening at Magic Kingdom from 7pm to midnight during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You’ll see Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, a Frozen-inspired castle show, a holiday parade, character greetings, snowfall on Main Street, and complimentary cocoa, cookies, and apple cider. A mobile ticket is included.
“Parade and fireworks alone worth the ticket. Would definitely recommend purchase of this ticket. It was lovely to watch the delight on everyone's faces”
Board at Saigon Waterbus Station at 9:15 PM for a two-hour New Year’s Eve speedboat ride. You’ll get finger food, beer, soft drinks, water, and champagne before midnight, then watch the fireworks from the Saigon River. The group is limited to 26 people, with a vegetarian snack option available by request.
“Our guide was the best, knowledgeable, passionate, informative and caring.”
You board the Amelia Rose at Ægisgarður 5b for a 10:30 PM cruise into Faxaflói bay. An English-speaking guide, onboard bar, Wi-Fi, three panoramic decks, and a complimentary glass of Champagne frame your midnight view of Reykjavik’s fireworks. The yacht returns about 12:30 AM. Dress warmly, since the best views are outside.
“t Everything was perfect, very good service and management. The best! Thank you 😊”
Board Marlin Boat Tours at Doca de Alcântara at 11 pm for a two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise on the Tagus. You’ll see Praça do Comércio, the 25 April Bridge, and Lisbon’s lit skyline, then toast midnight with sparkling wine and raisins. Beer, wine, and sangria are included, but dinner is not.
“I would definitely recommend this. We all thought we'd like it but seeing the fireworks from the water with the city in the background was spectacular. The crew on the boat were attentive such as handing out blankets and always checking on us. The boat was very nice and was a great experience all around.”
Sail from Reykjavik’s harbor aboard the Arctic Rose at 10:30 PM for a two-hour New Year’s Eve cruise. An English-speaking guide, three observation decks, warm blankets, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a complimentary glass of Champagne are included. You will watch fireworks over Reykjavik and nearby towns from Faxaflói bay, then return about 12:30 AM.
“Amazing evening for nye plus added bonus of seeing northern lights”
Join Bloo Boat Charter for a three-hour New Year’s Eve sail from Doca do Bom Sucesso. You’ll pass Belém landmarks, the 25 de Abril Bridge, Commerce Square, Alfama, and Christ the King before watching fireworks from the Tagus. Wine, sparkling wine, raisins, and bolo rei are included. Warm clothing is essential.
“Było super, niezapomniane wspomnienia, poza mnóstwem widoków i opowiadaniem przez załogę co widzimy dostaliśmy również rodzynki, ciasto królewskie i 1 butelkę wina musującego na rezerwację. Sam pokaz niezapomniany, polecam serdecznie.”
Join City Cruises at Westminster Pier for a 3-hour Christmas lunch sailing toward Canary Wharf and back. You’ll share a table of 10, enjoy sparkling wine, salmon and prawns, roast turkey, chocolate dessert, tea or coffee, and live festive music. It’s a party with landmark views, not a sightseeing tour with commentary.
“Nice food. Friendly staff. Singer had a great voice. Downsides. There were only a few people on the boat so atmosphere rather flat. No one’s fault but the bench style seating made it impossible to get up without asking 3 other people to slide out so made it difficult to chat with other members of our group throughout the trip. Wine quite expensive.”
You’ll board a traditional dhow at Deira Creek for a roughly 3.5-hour New Year’s Eve cruise with welcome drinks, a continental buffet, live music, stage shows, and soft drinks. The boat heads toward Dubai Festival City before positioning near the Burj Khalifa fireworks. Expect celebration, crowds, and a view that depends on your seat and security restrictions.
“Service was great! food very tasty. I would change this to a 2 hours cruise. 4.5 hours was to long and tiring. I expected more fireworks around Barj Khalifa. Overall good experience.”
More festive lists
Pick a market, a light show or a sleigh.
