PHOTO: New Year's Eve on Copacabana Beach. (Courtesy of Crystal Cruises)

It’s out with the old and in with the new as the stroke of midnight marking New Year’s Day rolls near.  You may have your perfect outfit already picked out and the ideal mate you can’t wait to plant a kiss on when the clock strikes 12, but why settle for the ordinary when you can put a cultural spin on your celebrations?  Although locations like Times Square seem to project the perfect backdrop of ringing in the New Year, there are many other places the world that are just as enticing like these five. 

From vibrant beach parties to keeping your eyes fixated on an ancient clock, they prove there is no better way to welcome the New Year than by stepping out of your comfort zone. Not only can you toast to a prosperous year ahead by rubbing shoulders with new friends, but see how other parts of the world leave last year in the past.

Dubai: Burj Khalifa

What could be better than ringing in the New Year with an explosion of fireworks?  Well how about witnessing a spectacular rainbow in the sky while standing in the midst of the tallest building on the planet? In Dubai, crowds annually flood the streets of the city’s downtown area to watch one of the most dynamic and expensive fireworks displays live in action, which held first place last year as the world’s largest.

As Burj Khalifa vibrantly transformed into a kaleidoscopic architectural giant by the bedazzling thunder and colors of computer generated pyrotechnics, spectators were also regaled by traditional songs.  With this year attempting to outshine its competitors and last year’s record-breaking extravaganza, Dubai is arguably one of the best places on the globe to kick the New Year off right.

Singapore: Marina Bay

There’s nothing like a great party to eat, drink and be merry.  That’s why tourists and locals annually congregate at the Marina Bay to countdown to the year ahead.  Attended by more than 200,000 celebrators, this area has gained world fame as the largest New Year’s Eve party of Singapore topped with live music and a glitzy firework show to match.

The celebration in this bay area promises to be one of the most memorable, especially if you don’t mind maneuvering through a sea of people enthusiastically high on life.  Even if you prefer to skip the crowds, reserving a room in hotels like the Marina Bay Sands or the Ritz Carlton offer impressive views of all the action.

Spain: La Puerta del Sol

While Americans will be excited to see the ball drop, many of Spain’s residents will be taking in a bit of history while looking towards the old clock tower of La Puerta del Sol.  The popular square constantly buzzes with activity, but as the New Year approaches its attendance dramatically increases once the clock begins to chime at the stroke of midnight. 

As multitudes gather in the square to happily cast last year’s problems aside, the sounding of the clock also commences the tradition of eating a grape at each stroke which is believed to guarantee a good luck.

Poland: Main Market Square

Another town square that ensures an eventful celebration is Poland’s Main Market Square in Krakow. Here, musicians brighten the mood, maybe as a ploy to get revelers to brave the city’s frigid temperatures for a night to remember. Yet, this tactic works every year because the Main Market Square has emphatically emerged as the heartbeat of the city with each coming of the New Year. 

And to cap the festivities off, St. Mary’s Basilica brilliantly becomes illuminated by the colorful fireworks hovering above its historic stature following the ringing of its bell. But make sure you pucker up because you might be compelled to display your best Polish kiss, which may come in handy as an attempt to warm up.

Brazil: Copacabana Beach

If you’re looking to start the year with sand in between your toes, then you may want to find that perfect spot on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Not only is Rio an exciting destination to visit during Carnaval, it also comes alive as a host to a wild beach party on New Year’s Eve; so you’ll want to visit the country a few weeks early to revel like a true Brazilian.

And indeed you’re likely to hear an explosion of fireworks over your head as the crowd goes wild with each spectacle, which has gained repute as one of the world’s best. Who says you have to shiver in the cold in order to bid the old year farewell, when you can look to the future while the ocean provide the idyllic backdrop?