Who doesn’t like to watch a spectacular fireworks display? Whether celebrating New Year’s Eve, Independence Days, or special events, fireworks are a great way to light the skies and excite families.
So, which city blows away the others with its pyrotechnics? ThinkFives is here to answer that. Check out these spectaculars – and maybe someday you can enjoy a few in person.
Taipei, Taiwan
New Year’s Eve
One of the tallest buildings in the world, Taipei 101, is the launch point for one of the largest New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in Asia. Over 16,000 fireworks are used during the five-minute display, which also includes a dazzling display of laser lights and music.
The fireworks are installed on the exterior of Taipei 101 from the 34th to 91st floors and if that’s not enough, a 55-story tall mesh screen comprised of 140,000 LEDs, called the T-Pad, projects coordinated animations.
The spectacular focuses on uplifting themes like “Light of Hope” or “Nature is Future.” As the show begins, the building completely darkens before fireworks launch sequentially from the lower to upper sections.
Taiwan 101: A bucket list NYE.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
New Year’s Eve
Copacabana Beach has spectacular views year round but on New Year’s Eve, nearly three million people join a beach party that only Brazilians could host. Fireworks launch from barges anchored in the water exactly at midnight, lasting for 20 minutes.
Revelers arrive at the beach early to enjoy a day of water and fun before the evening festivities. By the time nightfall arrives, the beach pulsates with people waiting to ring in the New Year.
Adding to the mayhem is a giant Ferris wheel erected for the celebration and an array of cruise ships lining the harbor, ready to celebrate the upcoming year.
If your New Year’s resolution is to add three million new friends at midnight, Rio is the place for you.
New York City, USA
Independence Day
Start the day eating hot dogs – or watching world-class Hot Dog Eating champions down dozens – at Coney Island and end your day viewing the largest Fourth of July celebration in the US. Independence Day is a big deal in New York City. Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks near the Brooklyn Bridge may be the most impressive pyrotechnic event in the US.
More than 60,000 fireworks are launched for 30 minutes and you can watch from just about anywhere along the lower part of the East River – from Brooklyn or Manhattan. Or you could grab a pint in one of the city’s many rooftop bars, which offer unparalleled views.
For New Yorkers, fireworks are just another example of why New York is called the city that never sleeps.
Sydney, Australia
New Year’s Eve
Imagine spending New Year’s Eve in mid-summer fashion in Sydney Harbour. The southern hemisphere’s largest fireworks display is undoubtedly one of the best places on the planet to ring in a new year.
As one of the first countries to welcome in the New Year, more than 1.5 million partiers celebrate in Sydney and another billion watch throughout the world from their homes. Every year, a new theme is celebrated and crowds start arriving at midday.
Don your Outback hat, have a seat in your comfy chair and tune into the early show each New Years Eve on CNN – and you’ll still have plenty of time later to celebrate your local New Years Eve party.
Dubai, UAE
New Year’s Eve
In a place where big is better and biggest is best, Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebration tops our list of global Firework displays. Combine the beauty of the world’s largest building with an awesome display of pyrotechnics and laser lights, and you have a bucket list NYE.
The breathtaking fireworks display, perfectly timed to the show on the facade of the Burj Khalifa, is complemented by dazzling lights and lasers, all synchronized to The Dubai Fountain show, leaving global watchers enthralled.
And how about these Guinness World Records?
- 2019: largest LED-illuminated façade ever (still in use to this day).
- 2018: largest high-tech lighting and laser show ever.
- 2014: largest fireworks display ever.
As the record-setter for Firework Shows, no wonder NYE Dubai is our top pick for International Spectaculars.
Honorable Mentions
- Celebration of Light, Vancouver, Canada
- Festival of Lights, Diwali, India
- Katakai Fireworks Festival, Niigata, Japan
- National Day, Singapore
- Guy Fawkes Night, London, England
- Independence Day, Washington DC, US
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUC_22Y1A_uHZ9kEXSRPCKA
What is the best Fireworks Display you have seen?
I would highly recommend watching the firework displays at Disneyland!
I love watching Times Square at New Year’s Eve on TV, but would like to go there one day.