After two consecutive years holding the title as the best city to celebrate New Year’s Eve, NYC has shockingly dropped in the ranking. Now coming in at third place, the 2023 study from WalletHub analyzed 100 of the biggest cities in America across 26 indicators to determine the best cities for New Year’s.
And though many dream of watching the ball drop in Times Square when the clock strikes midnight, it might not be the most financially conscious decision. Major events such as New Year’s Eve in Times Square tend to be pretty pricey, therefore detrimental to its ranking that considers factors ranging from nightlife to affordability.
“When choosing which city to spend New Year’s in, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, from the activities offered to how big the crowds will be to what weather you can expect,” said Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst. “The biggest concern has to be the cost. Hotels and restaurants may hike their prices significantly for the holiday, which puts an extra strain on people’s wallets after they have already been hit hard by inflation.”
So since celebrating in NYC comes at a cost, it lost the title for the best city to celebrate New Years’ Eve to Orlando, Florida. As WalletHub put it, “The last thing you want to do in the final hours of 2023 is wreck your finances over one night of festivities.”
Orlando, Florida ranked number one for its incredible nightlife, affordable restaurants rated 4.5+ stars and some of the longest firework shows in the country. San Diego, California came in second, beating out NYC thanks to its reliable weather. You can find the full ranking of the best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve here.