Ready to ring in 2016? The dawn of a new year is welcomed with wild celebrations, fireworks, local traditions and extravagant spectacle across the United States. New Year’s Eve is an exciting time, an opportunity to look back on your achievements and celebrate the future. Don’t start the new year with the same old celebration! Why not take a trip for New Year’s Eve? Here are five different cities to party!

CHICAGO

Welcome the New Year with a totally new celebration! Chicago is kicking off 2016 with a brand new event dubbed Chi-Town Rising. This downtown party will showcase the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with the main event featuring fireworks and performances by American Authors and (appropriately enough) the band Chicago. At midnight, instead of a ball dropping, a giant illuminated Chicago Star will raise 36 stories up the tower of the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

And you don’t have to stand in the cold all night to be part of the celebration! The Corona Extra Beach House hosts a 21 & over ticketed party with DJ’s, multiple bars and food options, plus a view of the main event. Howells & Hood has the largest draft beer list in Chicago and is offering packages for the evening with in-and-out privileges, so you can join the crowd on the street but come inside for drinks, appetizers  and a champagne toast at midnight. Or spend the evening at the Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier for the Resolution Gala, with a buffet, cocktails, and perhaps the best view of the fireworks and the Rising Star with the incredible Chicago skyline as a backdrop. Search & Book Hotels in Chicago

MIAMI

Eat your way into the new year at the two-day World Wide Food & Wine Party in Miami! On December 30 & 31, you can spend all afternoon sampling tasty treats from restaurants including Bavaria Haus, El Mercado de San Miguel, and the Miami Culinary Institute.

And on New Year’s Eve, the celebration culminates with a free concert by Miami’s own Mr. 305 at Pitbull’s New Year’s Eve Revolution in The Ampitheater at Bayfront Park.  Search & Book Hotels in Miami

SEATTLE

The Space Needle is the centerpiece for Seattle’s New Year’s Eve celebration! Fireworks are set off from the Space Needle starting just before midnight, and you can see them from locations all around the city for free!

You can also party while you wait for the pyrotechnics at Spectra 2016: New Year’s Eve under the Arches at the Pacific Science Center. Boasting the best view of the fireworks, the Spectra celebration features DJs from KEXP, signature cocktails and craft beers, and even live science demonstrations. Or you can actually party atop the Space Needle itself at the Observation Deck Dance Party! Search & Book Hotels in Seattle

 

 PHILADELPHIA

Get funky in Philadelphia with a groovy celebration at FringeArts! Dance in the alternative performance space, enjoy a beer garden featuring fire pits to keep you toasty, and get a fantastic view of the fireworks over the Delaware River from Race Street Pier, then get re-entry into FringeArts to finish the night – and start 2016 – on the dance floor! Search & Book Hotels in Philadelphia

 

NASHVILLE

Music City celebrates New Year’s Eve in its signature style – with free live music all night long! Kings of Leon will headline the Bash on Broadway, and Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, The Whigs, Wild Cub, and Sugar + The Hi-Lows will also perform for all the revelers. At midnight, a 15-foot tall music note will drop to start a glorious fireworks show and welcome 2016!

Plus, the party is not just on New Year’s Eve! Nashville will be rocking the week leading up to the New Year with a Music Fest and Battle of the Bands on December 29 and the Music City Bowl featuring SEC vs. ACC/Big Ten teams on December 30. Search & Book Hotels in Nashville