With venues hiking their prices significantly during New Year’s, putting a strain on people’s wallets that have already been hit hard by inflation, the personal-finance company WalletHub has released its report on 2025’s Best Cities for New Year’s, key statistics and expert commentary.
To determine which cities are the best for safely ringing in the New Year without breaking the bank, WalletHub compared the 100 biggest cities across 26 key metrics. The data set ranges from the legality of fireworks and the nightlife options per capita to food affordability and forecasted precipitation for Dec. 31.
Best Cities for New Year’s
Orlando, Florida came in as the top rated city for welcoming in 2026, followed by Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; San Francisco, CA and, rounding out the top 10 spots, Miami, Florida.
Those cities rated from number 11 to number 20 in the study were Anaheim, California at number 11 followed by Tampa, FL; Pittsburgh, PA; Atlanta, GA; Louisville, KY; St. Louis, MO; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Cincinnati, OH and closing out the top 20, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Key Stats
142 Million – Number of Americans who will travel for the New Year’s holiday this year, with 64 percent of them driving to their destination.
55 percent – Share of Americans who plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family or friends.
$772 – Average cost for a couple to enjoy dinner and a show on New Year’s Eve in the three largest cities (New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago).
360+ Million – Number of glasses of sparkling wine that are drunk each New Year’s Eve.
To view the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-for-new-years-eve/17263
“Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the right city can turn the holiday into a truly magical experience. The best cities for New Year’s celebrations have clear skies and some of the best fireworks displays around. The top cities also offer an abundance of highly-rated, affordable dining options, along with a vibrant nightlife and plenty of activities to make your transition into the New Year a memorable one,” WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo explained. “Orlando, Florida, is the best city for ringing in the New Year. It ranks as the second-most fun city in the U.S. overall, and has the fourth-most party supply stores and the fifth-most nightlife options per capita. Orlando offers a great fireworks display with a solid, enjoyable duration, and consumer fireworks are legal, so people can set up their own shows.”
Expert Commentary
What factors should people consider when choosing whether and where to travel for New Year’s Eve?
“Given the current state of the economy and price increases, travelers need to consider the familiar surge in already very high prices close to NYE due to high demand. Hotel and airfare prices can often increase by as much as 50 percent, especially in popular spots like New York. My advice for people to consider, given the current state of the economy and some uncertainty, is to avoid popular destinations and opt for more underrated ones, avoid overtourism destinations, and perhaps even consider driving-based trips.”
Luana Nanu, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
“I recommend considering a few key factors: affordability, crowd size, cultural experience, and personal well-being. Popular destinations are usually associated with higher prices and larger crowds, which can also mean more stress during the trip. Travelers should balance their budget, comfort level, and the type of experience they want. For example, while some people prefer a white Christmas, others may want a New Year’s Eve countdown on a warm beach. It ultimately comes down to personal preference, but it’s also important to consider weather conditions, safety, and whether the trip supports relaxation and overall well-being, not just excitement.”
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D. – Professor, Cal Poly Pomona
What money-saving tips do you have for people planning to travel for New Year’s?
“If you want to travel for New Year’s, start booking now. Early bookings often come with deals. Consider less famous destinations for your travel. New Orleans and Memphis, for example, have great city-wide celebrations but are often less expensive destinations. Additionally, warm-weather destinations mean you need to take less luggage. Plan out a budget for your trip, and consider using any gift cards you get for Christmas on your trip. Restaurant gift cards from major chains, like Starbucks, are a great way to save money.”
Amanda Belarmino, PhD. – Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
“To save money on New Year’s travel, planning early and being flexible with travel dates and destinations are key. Airfares and hotel rates usually rise sharply during the holiday season. Booking early helps. Choosing less touristy destinations or nearby cities can stretch the budget without sacrificing enjoyment. Because hotels offer more flexible cancellation policies, travelers should book early and rebook if prices drop. Finally, staying with family/friends or redeeming reward points can significantly reduce expenses.”
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D. – Professor, Cal Poly Pomona
What are the biggest New Year’s Eve money-wasters?
“Customers considering dinner at a favorite restaurant as part of their New Year’s Eve celebration should be sure to check the menu first. Many restaurants offer ‘Prix Fixe’ menus for the night that could have reduced entrée choices and higher than normal prices. Guests may be disappointed if their favorite items are not on the menu that evening and they are paying a higher price.”
Jane Bokunewicz – Director, Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism, Stockton University
“Overpriced events, last-minute bookings, and unnecessary splurges often don’t add much value to the overall experience, and they can be costly. Many travelers spend heavily on exclusive parties, premium seating, or expensive prix-fixe dinners that are often overcrowded or underwhelming. If that is the kind of experience they are seeking, they can often find better deals through a hotel concierge or travel agent. Booking flights and hotels at the last minute often leads to higher prices. Finally, overspending on souvenirs or luxury upgrades can strain the budget. For most budget travelers, these expenses might not significantly enhance their overall enjoyment of the trip.”
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D. – Professor, Cal Poly Pomona
