As 2025 draws to a close, travelers are deciding where to welcome 2026 in style. A new study conducted by personal finance website WalletHub has identified the top destinations across the United States for ringing in the New Year. The research evaluated 100 of the nation’s largest cities across 26 key indicators designed to identify the ideal spots for an epic New Year’s Eve celebration.
These metrics included important factors such as the legality of fireworks, nightlife options per capita, food affordability, and even anticipated weather conditions for December 31. The analysis provides valuable insights for travelers still deciding where to count down the final moments of 2025.
Florida’s Orlando claimed the top position as America’s premier New Year’s Eve destination, followed closely by Las Vegas and New York City, perennial favorites for holiday revelry.
Orlando Takes Crown As America’s Top New Year’s Destination
Orlando secured the number one ranking in WalletHub’s analysis thanks to its combination of entertainment options, affordability, and celebratory atmosphere. According to the WalletHub report, Orlando ranks as “the second-most fun city in the U.S. overall.” The city boasts impressive statistics, including “the fourth-most party supply stores and the fifth-most nightlife options per capita.”
The Florida destination particularly excelled in the fireworks category, with consumer fireworks being legal. This allows people to set up their own shows in addition to the city’s public displays. As Wallethub reported, “Orlando offers a great fireworks display with a solid, enjoyable duration, and consumer fireworks are legal, so people can set up their own shows.”
Perhaps most appealing to budget-conscious travelers is Orlando’s surprising affordability during this peak travel period, with the study revealing that “the lowest price for a 3-star hotel room on New Year’s Eve is approximately $66, making it the 24th-cheapest in the country.”
Las Vegas And New York City Complete Top Three Celebration Spots
Las Vegas secured the second position, living up to its reputation as America’s entertainment capital. According to the study, Las Vegas’ culinary excellence is noteworthy as it “ranks at the top of the country when it comes to the number of restaurants per capita and the number of affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars.”
Additionally, Las Vegas boasts “the most music venues and the 16th-most gourmet food stores per capita,” securing its status as “the most fun city” overall. New York City rounded out the top three destinations, with WalletHub highlighting its iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations and favorable weather predictions.
However, the study noted, “Times Square might be the most famous destination in the U.S. for ringing in the new year, but it’s also extremely expensive. Local businesses in NYC – and many other famous locales across the U.S. – are notorious for hiking up their prices when big crowds are in town for a major event.”
Top 20 U.S. Cities For New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The complete list of America’s best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve, according to WalletHub’s study, includes:
- Orlando, Florida
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- New York, New York
- Seattle, Washington
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
- Chicago, Illinois
- Washington, D.C.
- San Francisco, California
- Miami, Florida
- Anaheim, California
- Tampa, Florida
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Louisville, Kentucky
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Denver, Colorado
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
