Look it was cool….1

The Symphony of Lights as seen from the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong. (Courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)

Hong Kong: Reaching for the stars

The waterfront promenade Tsim Sha Tsui is a fine vantage point to take in the midnight pyrotechnics above the city's tallest building, 2 IFC. For an even more memorable view, jump aboard the Shining Star Ferry for a two-hour cruise of Victoria Harbour.

Water fountains in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong. (Courtesy Hong Kong Tourism Board)

=================================

Fireworks celebrating the four-day Hogmanay festival, in Edinburgh. (Courtesy Edinburgh's Winter Festivals)

Edinburgh: Scottish night lights
The Scottish capital toasts every New Year with a four-day festival called Hogmanay.

A concert at the Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. (Courtesy Edinburgh's Winter Festivals)

================================================

Fireworks at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.

Despite temperatures of around the freezing point, Berliners host an open-air New Year's Eve bash, and the city claims that it is the largest such party in the world. Roughly one million merrymakers pack the nearly mile-and-a-quarter-long stretch between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate.

Bangkok: A fresh tradition

If Times Square's light show doesn't cut it for you, head to the capital of Thailand, where a 52-foot-high Greeting Ball Tower signals the arrival of midnight.

Last year, Thailand began a new tradition with a midnight ball drop outside of the giant CentralWorld shopping mall. The city plans to repeat the successful event this year. After several concerts, expect light and sound effects at midnight. (Courtesy Hands Bangkok Countdown)