Planning to celebrate New Year's Eve 2025 in style? A recent WalletHub study reveals the top US cities for a memorable and budget-friendly New Year's experience. The study considered factors like entertainment and food options, overall cost, safety, and accessibility across all 50 states. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, highlighted that choosing the right city can transform the holiday into a truly magical experience, emphasizing factors such as clear skies for fireworks, diverse dining options, vibrant nightlife, and plenty of activities.
The study also indicated that over 128 million Americans are expected to travel for the New Year holiday, with a majority (65%) opting for road trips. So, which cities made the cut for the best New Year's Eve celebrations?
Wallethub's list of the best US cities to celebrate New Year's Eve. (iStock)
5. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago secures the fifth spot on WalletHub's list. (iStock)
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. San Diego, California
San Diego boasts a low chance of rain on New Year's Eve, along with a plethora of highly-rated, affordable restaurants, and a high concentration of party supply stores.
2. Orlando, Florida
Orlando takes second place, offering one of the nation's longest fireworks displays and the legal use of consumer fireworks, allowing for personalized celebrations. (iStock)
1. New York, New York
Unsurprisingly, New York City claims the top spot, thanks to the iconic Times Square ball drop, a globally recognized New Year's Eve tradition. The city also excels in restaurant options, affordability of highly-rated dining, walkability, and nightlife options. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/ Getty Images)
