Top 5 UK destinations to have a banging start to 2024 that may surprise you
Party your way into 2024 with a visit to these brill locations
December 31, 2023
Not much on in your hometown for New Year’s Eve? Want to do something special to end the year with a bang? Whether you’d prefer a big city adventure or a cosy market village with long running traditions there is something new and exciting happening all over the country.
Allendale, Northumberland
How has this unassuming village in the north of England made this list with such huge and well-known events? Well, that’s because they have a brilliantly insane tradition worth visiting for. The Allendale Tar Bar’l sees 40 plus local gents get into costume and carry flame-wreathed tar barrels over their heads behind a marching band through the city before throwing them into a pyre at midnight. What a metal way to celebrate the new year!
Newquay, Cornwall
A holiday in Cornwall isn’t just a summer thing, head down the Cornish coast to Newquay for parties on the seafront and the Central Square. Grab your best fancy dress to blend in with the locals and watch the brilliant fireworks display over the harbour and seafront. Where better to shake off a hangover than a cold dip in the sea on New Year’s Day?
Edinburgh, Scotland
New Year’s Eve in Scotland is a party no matter where you visit, but the capital, always does it bigger and better. Edinburgh Hogmanay is a huuuuuuuuge celebration with a massive firework display, torch-lit procession through the city centre and, if you’re feeling brave enough, a costumed dip in the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth, brrrr!
Trafalgar Square, London
Ok, so NYE in Trafalgar Square may feel more like a tour of duty than a celebration, but you’ve got to go at least once, right? Spending New Year’s Eve in the English capital must be on your bucket list, watching the legendary fireworks display in person. Take a wander through London’s late-night shopping arcades to grab a memento of your trip, before heading on to one of the huge parties across the city centre through until the early hours.
Cardiff, Wales
The Welsh capital is transformed into a winter paradise for New Year’s celebrations with Cardiff Castle light up in blues and pinks. Hold your mates up on the ice rink as you skate around in the shadow of the castle and win prizes at the fun fayre, before the fantastic firework display. Don’t want the part to stop there? Head over to one of Cardiff’s many bars and clubs for karaoke and lip-sync battles.
