Chic Destinations

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Europe

With tireless enthusiasm Europe throws itself into New Year’s Eve. Each village, town and city reverberates with the sounds of church bells ringing, fireworks crackling and the ‘pop’ of champagne corks as the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. For anyone visiting the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages over the new year period, you’ll also have the chance to revel in some of the continent’s best parties and parades, and watch some of the best public fireworks displays of the year in the major towns and cities nearby. Here’s a taster of the celebrations to come…   

Dublin
As one of Europe’s live music hotspots, Dublin doesn’t disappoint during the new year celebrations. New Year’s Eve in the Irish capital sees buskers at street corners inviting passers-by to join in the merriment, impromptu jam sessions sparking up in pubs and bars across the city, and live music trails that take revellers on a tuneful tour of the city centre. If you’re after something a little more formal, head to the Guinness Storehouse, the home of Guinness beer, for a lively night showcasing some fine local music whilst you enjoy a few pints of the black stuff. Or for a more highbrow affair why not go along to the New Year’s Eve Gala at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, where the RTE Concert Orchestra and Big Band perform some seasonal favourites.

London
Always trying to stay one step ahead of the game, the recent fad in the British capital is to shun New Year’s Eve and head out for the year’s biggest bash on New Year’s Day. A number of London’s most famous nightclubs now host these 1 January parties, including Ministry of Sound near Elephant and Castle, which this year sees Groove Armada, Simian Mobile Disco and other top acts take to the stage. There are also a whole host of club parties taking place in secret locations in the buzzing East End. Find them if you can.

Paris
As the clock approaches midnight in the French capital, crowds traditionally gather in the Champs-Élysées, setting off bangers and watching the dangling lights and fireworks illuminate the Eiffel Tower and the grand surrounding streets. The next day, after tending to sore heads and wine-soaked jumpers, Parisians can be seen watching the annual Grande Parade de Paris, while others make for Seine-side cafés for a strong coffee and a tasty French pastry or two.

Brussels & Antwerp
New Year’s Eve, or Sint Sylvester Vooravond – Saint Sylvester Eve – in Brussels can be a heady affair, with plenty of parties going on across the city, from family-friendly fireworks displays at Mont des Arts in the centre of town to the full-on electro discos and burlesque extravaganzas which take revellers into the new year in other parts of the city. In Antwerp, it’s generally a more calm affair, but again it’s worth checking out the city’s magnificent fireworks display, which sparkles above the River Scheldt.   

Madrid & Barcelona
The Spanish are among Europe’s most festive people and they don’t slow down during the New Year’s Eve festivities. Before midnight, families and friends get together for a hearty meal or gather at the Puerta del Sol (main square) in Madrid or the Olympic Port (seafront) in Barcelona in preparation for each city’s obligatory fireworks display. As the clock reaches midnight, bottles of sparkling cava are popped open and partygoers eat a single grape on each of the twelve chimes of the midnight bells – bringing good luck for the New Year. It’s also seen as good luck to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve, so be sure to visit Las Rozas Village or La Roca Village in advance, to be fully prepared.

Milan
Much like the Spanish, the Italians traditionally kick off the evening with a meal with family and friends. Dishes usually include lentils, which represent money and good fortune, and spicy pork sausage or pigs trotters, which bring good luck for the coming year, all washed down with glass or two of bubbly. They too stay up until the early hours, often until the first dawn of the New Year.

Munich, Frankfurt & Cologne
In Munich, New Year’s Eve marks the end of two months of celebrations, which includes Oktoberfest and the extended Christmas cheer brought on by the annual winter markets. Indeed, all over Germany, glasses of sekt (sparkling wine) are clinked together in celebration of a festive period just gone and for the new year ahead.

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