Despite Facebook photos of smiling faces and carefully decorated cookies, many holiday celebrations are riddled with family feuds and boring traditions. That's not the case for New Year's Eve. This celebration of a new beginning is something everyone can agree on -- it's time to have some fun. These four Canadian destinations are places where you can celebrate 2017 in an unforgettable way.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Photo credit: HiEtec
Niagara Falls always goes above and beyond when entertaining visitors, and New Year's Eve is no exception. Aptly named "The Biggest Bash," the party includes an all-Canadian lineup of free musical performances at Queen Victoria Park. The concert kicks off at 8 p.m., and the celebration will include tasty local food vendors, beverages, an outdoor licensed drink area, and an extravagant midnight fireworks show from the Niagara Gorge.
Ottawa, Ontario
Prepare for a memorable night out by the Ottawa River if you'll be heading to the capital city this holiday season. The Canada 150 celebration, to celebrate the Confederation's 150th anniversary, is set to take place at 19 urban centres across the country this year. But there's arguably no better place to celebrate the Canada 150 than at Parliament Hill in picture-perfect Ottawa. The free event will take place at 7 p.m., on both sides of the river with live music and an over-the-top pyromusical fireworks display. The first fireworks show will take place at 8:17 p.m. (20:17), and another display will be launched for the night owls at midnight.
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Photo credit: US Embassy Canada
Travelers seeking an otherworldly New Year's Eve experience should head to the largest and least populated Canadian territory of Nunavut. Iqaluit is one of the 19 cities celebrating the Canada 150, but none of the others will be celebrating it with this small city's unique Arctic flare. The family friendly party will include local performances provided by the Alianait Arts Festival, outdoor activities, a festive countdown, and a sea-ice fireworks display at 8:17 p.m. The full day of family fun kicks off at 11 a.m., in snow-covered downtown Iqaluit.
Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City's Old World feel is even more fairytale-like when dusted with snow and sprinkled with holiday decorations. New Year's Eve is a five-day-long celebration in "La Vieille Capitale," which will take place from Dec. 27 through 31, this year. The Grande Allée is redesigned with heated outdoor bars, live music, a ferris wheel, ziplines, and plenty of opportunities for kids and adults to continue the excitement of the holidays. December 31, is the biggest night of all with a grand musical pyrotechnic show, celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary, at 20:17 and midnight. This year's events are expected to be bigger than ever, and the festivities will spread from the Hotel Le Concorde to Parliament Building.
Unfortunately, you can only be in one place on the night of New Year's Eve, but as long as you're in Canada, there's bound to be an unforgettable Canada 150 celebration or other extravagant way to ring in the new year nearby.