5 Countries Where You Can Celebrate New Year Twice
New Year’s Eve is always a night to remember, but what if you could celebrate it twice? Thanks to time zones, you can toast to the new year in one country, hop over to another, and do it all over again. Whether through short drives across borders or quick flights, the following destinations let you pull off the ultimate double celebration.
Samoa and American Samoa
Credit: flickr
Samoa is one of the first countries to welcome the new year, while American Samoa, just 60 miles away, is one of the last. After celebrating midnight in Samoa, you can take a short flight or even charter a boat to American Samoa and countdown to the new year all over again.
New Zealand and the Cook Islands
Credit: flickr
If you want to extend your celebrations across the Pacific, start in New Zealand—one of the first places to see the new year. After ringing in midnight, catch a four-hour flight to the Cook Islands, where it’s still December 31st. Here, you can enjoy the countdown for a second time on island time.
Sydney, Australia, and Los Angeles, USA
Credit: flickr
Sydney puts on one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve firework shows. Celebrate with a bang under the Sydney Opera House and then hop on a flight to Los Angeles. Thanks to the 19-hour time difference, you’ll arrive before midnight and have plenty of time to do it all again.
Tokyo, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii
Credit: flickr
Start your evening in Tokyo, a city that buzzes with energy and vibrant countdown parties. After celebrating midnight in Japan, head to the airport and fly to Honolulu, where you can land on the afternoon of December 31st. That gives you hours to soak up island vibes and countdown once more.
Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and Honolulu, Hawaii
Credit: Facebook
Kiritimati, part of Kiribati, is the first place on Earth to welcome the new year. Celebrate early and then board a flight to Honolulu, where it’s still yesterday. You’ll arrive in plenty of time to enjoy a second round of fireworks and festivities.
Spain and Portugal
Credit: flickr
In the Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Portugal share a border but are in different time zones. Start in a Spanish town like Badajoz, enjoy the midnight celebrations, and then drive into Elvas, Portugal, where you can relive the countdown an hour later. Two countries, two parties, one incredible night.
Sweden and Finland
Credit: flickr
The towns of Karesuando (Sweden) and Karesuvanto (Finland) are divided by a time zone border. Celebrate in Finland, where it’s an hour ahead, and then take a short walk or drive across the bridge into Sweden. Just like that, you’re back in time and ready to celebrate again.
Thailand and Malaysia
Credit: flickr
Thailand and Malaysia may be neighbors, but they’re an hour apart. Start your night in a Malaysian border town like Padang Besar, and when midnight strikes, cross into Thailand to keep the celebrations going. It’s a quick, simple way to double your New Year’s fun.
California and Nevada, USA
Credit: flickr
If you’re near the border of California and Nevada, you can celebrate twice without needing a plane ticket. Cities like South Lake Tahoe straddle the state line, where Nevada is an hour ahead. Ring in midnight on the Nevada side, then cross back into California to catch the countdown all over again.
Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach, Florida
Credit: flickr
Florida offers a unique New Year’s Eve experience thanks to its time zone split. Start your evening in Port St. Joe, which sits in Eastern Time, and then take a short drive to Mexico Beach, where it’s still Central Time. It’s a fun, laid-back way to celebrate twice in one night.
Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, Australia
Credit: flickr
These neighboring towns sit on the border between Queensland and New South Wales, which have different time zones during daylight saving. Celebrate in Tweed Heads first, then take a short walk or drive into Coolangatta, where it’s an hour earlier. It’s one of the easiest ways to party twice.
Tornio, Finland, and Haparanda, Sweden
Credit: Reddit
Another time zone trick can be found in Tornio and Haparanda, two towns separated by a river and an hour difference. Celebrate in Tornio, then cross over to Haparanda to reset the clock. With just a short drive, you can experience the countdown again with a whole new crowd.
Guam and Honolulu, Hawaii
Credit: flickr
If you’re craving a tropical double celebration, start in Guam, which greets the new year early. From there, catch a flight to Honolulu, where the clock is still behind. You’ll arrive with hours to spare, ready to dive into more festivities under Hawaii’s palm trees.
Badajoz, Spain, and Elvas, Portugal
Credit: flickr
This charming border combination deserves another mention because of its simplicity. Badajoz, Spain, and Elvas, Portugal, are close enough for a quick drive. Celebrate in Badajoz first, then hop over to Elvas for another round of fireworks, music, and midnight cheers.
Karesuando, Sweden, and Karesuvanto, Finland
Credit: Wikipedia Commons
These twin towns provide an easy way to celebrate twice on foot. Kick things off in Karesuvanto, where Finland is an hour ahead, and then cross back into Sweden for a second round. It’s a unique experience you can’t replicate just anywhere.