When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, most people’s minds immediately go to the ball drop in New York City. And while the Big Apple’s event tops WalletHub’s list of Best Cities for New Year’s Eve Celebrations this year – an upstate New York city also ranks pretty high up on the list.
WalletHub compared 100 of the biggest U.S. cities based on 26 indicators of “an epic, affordable New Year’s Eve celebration” ranging from legality of fireworks to affordability of food and lodging.
“Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the right city can turn the holiday into a truly magical experience,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says. “The best cities for New Year’s celebrations have clear skies and some of the best fireworks displays around.”
Here’s what to know.
Why New York City is ranked #1
The 2025 numerals are displayed after an illumination ceremony in Times Square on December 18, 2024 in New York City.
New York City has the most restaurants per capita and affordable restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars in the country, WalletHub says. The city also has the seventh most music venues, sixth most nightlife options per capita and is one of the most walkable cities.
“It comes as no surprise that New York City is the best city for New Year’s Eve celebrations, given the fact that its ball drop even it probably the most iconic celebration of the holiday anywhere,” the study reads. “This event is attended in person by over a million people and watched live by over a billion.”
Which upstate NY city made the list?
Buffalo was ranked #13 in WalletHub’s study with an overall score of 60.67, only eight points behind New York City.
The Queen City has a ball drop of its own at the Electric Tower in downtown Buffalo, typically amassing thousands of onlookers each year, and is thought to be the second largest in the state, according to other news outlets.
Buffalo is home to dozens of other New Year’s Eve events as well, including a German-style New Year’s Eve party at Hofbrauhaus, a silent disco at Buffalo Iron Works and countdowns at several of the area’s bars and breweries.
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How WalletHub assessed New Year’s Eve celebration greatness
WalletHub compared 100 of the biggest cities across three categories: entertainment & food, costs and safety & accessibility.
The entertainment & food category took into account these factors:
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New Year’s Eve popularity
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Duration of 2024 fireworks show
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Google search interest for “New Year’s Eve Celebration”
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Average ranking of restaurants on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.” list
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Availability of luxury shopping and gourmet food
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Beer, wine and spirits shops per capita
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Party supply stores per capita
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Nightlife options per capita
Rent costs: This upstate NY city has the most affordable rent in the U.S.
The costs category included these elements:
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Availability of affordable fine dining
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Average alcoholic beverage price
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Lowest price per three-star hotel room on New Year’s Eve
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Grooming (beauty salon and haircut) costs
The safety & accessibility category analyzed these components:
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DUI-related fatalities per capita
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Forecasted precipitation for Dec. 31
Data used to create the ranking was sourced from multiple entities, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation and WalletHub research.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo named one of best cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations
