0 New Year in Hong Kong 2013

Parties, Pints and Countdowns for December 31st in Hong Kong



Not to be confused with Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, which is the biggest celebration of the year, New Year in Hong Kong, meaning December 31st, is also the source of big parties and even bigger hangovers. Below, you’ll find our top recommendations, from Hong Kong’s own Times Square to club parties, to enjoy the countdown.



1. Victoria Harbour New Years Celebration
Arguably more enjoyable than the Times Square celebrations above, the New Year fireworks over the buildings of Hong Kong Island are truly spectacular. Best viewed from Victoria Harbor on one of the all-in food and drink cruises, the skyscraper skyline, the most spectacular in the world, is the backdrop for a spectacular light, sound and firework show. If you can’t make it onto a boat, the views from the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui are equally impressive.



2. Times Square New Years Countdown
The grandstand event of Hong Kong’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Times Square countdown, like its inspiration, is the focal point for those who want to join a crowd as the clock ticks down. There will be live music and entertainment before 2012 rolls around. Be warned, the crowds are immense and you should leave yourself around an hour to reach the centre of the celebrations.



3. Fancy Dinners in Luxury Hotels
If you fancy something more luxurious on New Years Eve, most of the city’s luxury hotels will be laying on equally luxury set dinners. These will not come cheap and you can expect to pay around $100 at the bottom end of the scale. What you will get is a fine meal, usually free drinks and often exquisite views of the harbour fireworks without having to suffer the crowds. Some of the hottest tickets in town include the Grand Old Dame of Hong Kong hotels - The Peninsula - and the Four Seasons - whose restaurants have been collecting Michelin Stars in recent years.

4. New Year Parties in Lan Kwai Fong
Focal point for the city’s revellers, New Years Eve is the biggest party of the year in Lan Kwai Fong. Most places will be charging a heavy cover charge and many will ‘all in’ deals, as in you give them basically all your money and you get a buffet and free drinks. Again, the crowds here can be suffocating, but if you’re with a group and intent on a good time the streets and bars on Lan Kwai Fong are your best bet. One suggestion is to take a few beers from the nearby 7-Eleven and just drink on the street, which is where everything else will be. The big name parties include Drop, Dragon-I and, in Tsim Sha Tsui, Aqua.

Detail: New Year in Hong Kong 2013

0 Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Singapore 2013

Whether you’re up for some overnight beach raves or a tamer brand of fun, the island state has all the action you’ll need to welcome the new year in style. From Sentosa Island to Marina Bay, Singapore is primed to ring in 2013 with a bang.

Marina Bay Fireworks



A crazy pyrotechnic show will be set off from Esplanade Bridge and will be visible across the entire district. One of the best vantage points will be the Marina Bay floating platform, but you might want to get there early to reserve a space. Merlion Park is also a good place to watch the spectacle and near enough the launch area to hear the boom of each firework. The Fullerton Hotel is a great place to stay during the celebration, providing a front row seat to the sky-lit evening.

Take a spin on the Singapore Flyer



Party on at Siloso Beach

This 1.2 km beach has been sectioned off into five distinct party zones, each filled with concerts, music, dancing, eating and fringe activities like firewalking. And hey, if the countdown is getting too hot for you, why not dip in the giant foam pool to cool off? Don’t forget to don your board shorts and bikinis for a quick splash.

Marvel at the Christmas lights on Orchard Road

This 2.2 km-long shoppers’ paradise is bedecked with blue, purple and pink lights, holiday decor and massive Christmas trees. The Hotel Royal Singapore is just one of many accommodations near Orchard Road that will delight anyone who wants to stay in the middle of the action.

Skate at the Marina Bay Sands

A 600 m2 ice rink is spacious enough to support hundreds of amateur and experienced skaters. Adults can skate for S$7 an hour while children get to skate for S$6 an hour, exclusive of skate rentals and other related fees. All in all, a great New Year’s activity at Singapore’s newest iconic landmark.

Dine at the Clarke Quay Countdown



If you wish to avoid huge crowds on December 31, Clarke Quay’s restaurants, bars and clubs, provide a more intimate milieu. There is also the Christmas Weekend Bazaar for celebrants who wish to do a little post-yuletide shopping.

Not only is this a great place to witness the New Year’s fireworks show, The Flyer also provides a whole night of entertainment for customers. Fine dining, romantic music and various activities await those who place their reservations on New Year’s Eve. Without a doubt, the Singapore Flyer promises a very memorable night on December 31.

Join the Ultimate Circus Mayhem

Held in Central Square, this event will feature jugglers, tightrope walkers and other circus mainstays while groovy music blasts through the speakers.

Mix with locals at the Labrador Park Countdown



This get-together was organized by the Radin Mas Citizens’ Consultative Committee and the Hua Yuan Association to get various immigrant communities to assemble for an overnight celebration. The goal this year is to gather 10,000 celebrants from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Both new residents and permanent citizens are especially invited to attend.

Singapore is a perfect city to ring in the New Year but crowds will be thick, so plan ahead if you want a hassle-free celebration.

Detail: Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Singapore 2013

0 New Year's Eve Parties in Manila to Welcome 2013

1. THE PENINSULA MANILA'S LOBBY NEW YEAR'S EVE "SPARKLE" BALL

The Manila Peninsula's New Year's Eve Ball is legendary. For 17 years now, it has been the most-awaited and the hottest party in the metro. The Manila Pen also has the most festive and most glamorous lobby versus all the other hotel lobbies in Manila.

This year, it will take its New Year's Eve party to the next level with the "Sparkle" Ball, with music to be provided by a 19-piece “big” band. At 12 midnight, the entire lobby will be filled with balloons, confetti and champagne toasts to greet the New Year.

The dinner buffet by Executive Chef Patrick Boucher starts at 9pm until 12mn. The party continues in Salon de Ning with Hyperbeat and Main Avenue.

The Lobby New Year's Eve "SPARKLE" Ball
P 6,200++ (adults)
P 6,700++ (including a glass of champagne)
P 3,700++ (children under 12)
Dinner Buffet: 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight
Entertainment: 9:00 pm – 2:00 am

Salon de Ning After Party
Time: 7:00 pm - 2:00 am
P1,500++ (minimum consumption)

The Manila Peninsula
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, Makati City 1226
Telephone: +632 887-2888, extension 7401 (Festive Desk) and 6694 (Restaurant Reservations),
E-mail: diningpmn@peninsula.com
Visit peninsula.com

Sendong Charity Efforts:
The Manila Pen Team is volunteering part of its December salary. The hotel is donating bed sheets, slippers, clothes, toiletries and dried food stuff. It also created a Lunch Hour Drive @ Sunburst (Staff) Cafe to talk about what happened in CDO and Iligan.

2. THE STAR DROP @ EASTWOOD MALL QC COUNTDOWN

The Eastwood Mall Quezon City Countdown is picking up steam as one of the most anticipated countdowns on New Year's eve. It is Manila's answer to New York's Times Square Countdown -- with the best bands, the coolest fireworks and, this year, the Star Drop at 12mn.

The countdown will be led by Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano, with his sons Paolo and Gab Valenciano, and the Adlibb dancers. Witness the stellar performances of local artists like Billy Crawford, The Dawn, Amber Davis, Urbanation, and Philippine All Stars.

The program is for free at the Eastwood Mall Open Park, 6pm onwards.

Sendong Charity Efforts:
Eastwood Mall has a drop box at the concierge for donations. The Eastwood Foundation and the Holy Family Chapel are donating 1 Million Pesos to the Sendong Rehabilitation efforts.



3. DUSIT THANI MANILA'S NEW YEAR'S EVE COUNTDOWN PARTY

Dusit Thani Manila pioneered the Crossover Dinner Buffet to welcome the New Year.
The Crossover Dinner will be from 6pm to 10pm, featuring Thai dishes at Benjarong Royal Thai restaurant, Italian cuisine at Tosca, Japanese specialties at Umu, and international cuisines at Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant.

The New Year’s Eve Countdown Party, which starts at 10pm at the hotel lobby, will be led by the Philippines’ widely-acclaimed ensemble that pioneered the so-called local ‘Pinoy Jazz’ -- the AMP Band.

New Year's Eve Countdown Party
P 4,000 net inclusive of Crossover Dinner and Open Bar from 10pm to 1:30am.

For inquiries and reservations, please call +632 238-8888.
Dusit Thani Manila
Ayala Centre, Makati City
Telephone: +632 238-8888
Visit dusitthanimanila.dusit.com

Sendong Charity Efforts:
Dusit Thani Manila created a donation drive for the benefit of Sendong Typhoon victims. Cash donations, clothes, goods, and blankets were collected.

4. GMA 7 OFFICIAL NEW YEAR'S COUNTDOWN @ MALL OF ASIA

The Mall of Asia Countdown is known for having the best fireworks display every New Year's Eve. The Manila Bay's darkness and free-flowing wind set an ideal backdrop for the grandest fireworks in Manila.

You can reserve for your media noche from any of the Mall of Asia Veranda and SM by the Bay restaurants. The Ground Activities begin at 7pm, with the Main Show on GMA 7 starting at 11pm 10pm. The amusement park will be open throughout the night.

The New Year's Eve fireworks start with a two-minute display at 11pm 10pm and a 15-minute fireworks display at 12 midnight. This is open to the public.

Sendong Charity Efforts:
SM Supermalls, in cooperation with DSWD, SM Cares and SM Foundation, is launching Operation Tulong Express for typhoon victims of Cagayan de Oro. Donation booths have been set up in all malls where guests can donate in cash or in kind.

5. MANILA HOTEL'S NEW YEAR'S EVE CROSSOVER BUFFET

Manila Hotel is doing a great job of reliving its prestigous past. In the past year, foodies have been raving about its hotel restaurants and amenities.

This New Year 2012, the hotel celebrates with a Crossover Buffet featuring Cafe Ilang-Ilang, Champagne Room, Mabuhay Palace, Taproom and Lobby Lounge with live entertainment from Filipinas Band. This is a highly recommended food trip to jumpstart your 2012. :)

The dinner is from 6pm to 9pm, and the party kicks off at 9pm. The Crossover Buffet costs P3,000++ inclusive of sparkling wine for the midnight toast.

Manila Hotel
One Rizal Park, 0913,Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +632 527-0011
Email: resvn@manila-hotel.com.ph
Visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph

Sendong Charity Efforts:
Manila Hotel is partnering with the Department of Defense, specifically the Philippine Navy, in helping the victims affected by the typhoon.


6. THE MAGICAL MUSICAL MAKATI NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2012

Makati City's Countdown Street Party in Ayala corner Makati Avenue is back!

The street party starts 5:30pm onwards with magicians, street performers and live band entertainment from Antimano, Bloom Brothers, Silk, The Company and The Dawn. The countdown is culminated by a grand fireworks display and will be covered by TV5.

This is brought to you by the City Government of Makati.

7. GRAND FIESTA NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN 2012 @ RESORTS WORLD

Resorts World has a New Year's Countdown event (but with no fireworks since it is near NAIA 3 Airport). It is known to have the best after party in Republiq by Tim Yap.

On December 31, a simultaneous New Year’s Countdown and New Year’s Ball will happen in Bar 360 and The Plaza in Newport Mall. Ushering in good luck for the New Year are the performances of Ariba, Spirit of '67, Savorlatino, and Draybers among others with the merrymaking starting at 10pm of December 31 up to the early morning of January 1, 2012.

8. 31 TO 1 100% ROCKWELL NEW YEAR PARTY

Rockwell is reviving and reinventing the New Year's Eve Party scene in Makati this year. The party starts off with Media Noche dinner by the Lopez Strip Restaurants ( Barcino, Kuretake, Via Mare, etc.) with entertainment performances. There will be fireworks at 10.30pm and at 12 midnight for the New Year's Eve Countdown.

The After Party (P550/person with unlimited drinks) starts at 1am to sunrise. Party with the best DJs in town: Cao Ocampo, Yoshi Uy, Amber Davis, David Ardiente, and DJ Buzz at the Rockwell Tent. This is the New Year's Eve After Party you should not miss :)

For inquiries, call +63 906 336-0797 or +63 917 533-1464.

Other New Year's Eve Celebrations in Manila:

Shangri-La Makati greets the New Year with Sitti performing at a gala dinner in the lobby lounge and a samba-themed party at Conway's. Shangri-La Boracay will have a masquerade ball in the ballroom and a countdown party on the beach with live entertainment and fireworks.

Sofitel Hotel welcomes the New Year with a countdown event in the Harbor Tent with an International Buffet, live entertainment by Rowena Barcelona and Brown Inc., and a grand fireworks display. (Spiral is still under renovation.)

Mandarin Oriental celebrates New Year's Eve with a special New Year's Eve feast in Tivoli, Paseo Uno, and Tin Hau with a countdown party in Martinis.

Año Nuevo Fabuloso @ Chihuahua is a New Year's Eve Salsa-Themed Party. There will be Welcome drink before midnight and Chihuahua gifts for everyone in attendance while supplies last!

Music will be provided by DJ Prodigy (San Diego) and DJ Felipe Bari (El Salvador), with performances by Prodigy Mambo Dance Co and Cachimbo Dance Co. Also, there will be special guests for the night which include: Jojo Luz (The Master Percussionist), Basil Nadela (Cachimbo), Adam Garcia (Fresno), Christine Hipe (Salsa Manila), Joe Gabel (SF), Las Duras del Baile, and Tony Valenzuela (LA).

Detail: New Year's Eve Parties in Manila to Welcome 2013