How to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vogue style

If you have ever tried to organize a New Year’s Eve celebration, or any kind of party with a group of friends, you know that the process is simplest when as few people as possible are involved in the planning. Everyone has that one friend they rely on to organize New Year’s Eve, and my boyfriend and I are those friends. Every year, already in October, we try to figure out how to bring our groups of friends together, where to gather all the people we love, and what to do that we have not already done in previous years. So, as you might guess, my head is full of ideas for New Year’s Eve, from faraway trips to classic New Year’s parties.

I honestly think that New Year’s parties always turn out to be both better and worse than we expect. The party itself is never as good as on some random night, but something extremely fun always happens, and it is hard not to enjoy an evening bathed in sequins and crystal snow. All in all, I suggest marking the New Year even if a big celebration is the last thing on your mind, because occasions to gather all your friends in a completely relaxed atmosphere are rarer today than they should be, and below I am highlighting all the ways you can welcome the New Year in Vogue style.

Classic New Year’s party

I am not a 365 party girl, but I truly believe that going to a good New Year’s party is the best way to celebrate. Dancing, singing, and sparkling outfits feel especially glamorous on New Year’s Eve, and if you are in a larger city, it is a great option for celebration. Choose a club that plays the music you love, bring friends who are not embarrassed to actually dance, and a good time is guaranteed.

Cetinjska NYE party

Where? Zaokret, Belgrade

Cetinjska Street in Belgrade is especially dazzling on New Year’s Eve, when a special celebration unfolds within its glittering circle of clubs. Lift, Zaokret, and Sprat become the central party locations, and the very fact that there are three venues so close to each other removes the pressure that everything has to be perfect. Not feeling the vibe? Another party is just a few steps away. At Lift, the Dvica collective awaits with house surprises, at Zaokret Kendi and Savo Božović will perform, while the Mindless crew at Sprat will guide you through their recognizable groove.

Planet srijeda NY Night

Where? Peti kupe, Zagreb

When it comes to Planet srijeda, their New Year’s party is not the last party of 2025, but the first of 2026. The party at Peti kupe starts at 1 a.m., when every good party truly begins. And the lineup? A great local crew: Elena Mikac, Felver, and Antonio Zuza.

Exotica NYE 2026

Where? Cvetličarna

Welcoming the New Year at Ljubljana’s Cvetličarna brings together a blend of some of the club’s most beloved parties. The focus will be on exotic music, Latin beats, afro house, and oriental sounds. This party promises dancing until morning and a great, warm energy in the foggy city. Get ready for a night filled with the best pop, hip-hop, and dance hits, impressive visual effects, and incredible energy.

KAWA & FRIENDS — NYE 2026

Where? Kawa, Sarajevo

And who says a New Year’s party has to start only in the evening? At Sarajevo’s Kawa, the party starts as early as 2 p.m., where you can enjoy a daytime matinee while sipping coffee or delicious cocktails. The party continues late into the night, with Kawa’s friends, the excellent crew Alain, Calkins, Coem, Not Yet, and Eela, playing great music.

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Try new cocktails

If you are not in the mood for a big party, you can still go out in a more relaxed way. My suggestion is to visit some of the new cocktail bars in the region and share drinks and snacks with friends, a partner, or family members, soaking up the glamorous energy of New Year’s Eve.

Kissa10, Belgrade

At the Belgrade bar Kissa10, you can try some of the best cocktails and excellent food, making it an ideal spot for a low-key New Year’s celebration. On Wednesday, December 31, the bar will host a matinee, a great option for those who want to treat themselves to a New Year’s drink but are not in the mood for an all-night outing. Try some of the cocktails from their holiday menu and enjoy the music spun by Leo, Minor, DJP, and Danya.

Yakuza, Zagreb

This year, Zagreb welcomed a new cocktail bar, Yakuza, where you can try almost any cocktail you can imagine. The ambiance is glamorous and inviting, dark and elegant, making it the perfect place for a subtle New Year’s celebration.

Raya71, Sarajevo

Sarajevo also gained a new cocktail bar this year, Raya71, in the city center. During the day you can enjoy excellent cocktails here, and on December 31 the first Raya New Year’s party will be held, with DJ Sahfi in charge of the music.

New Year’s travel

I honestly believe that traveling for New Year’s Eve is particularly exhausting. Roads and airports are crowded, cities are packed, and you cannot even think about visiting the major tourist attractions. However, I have to admit that there is still something magical about cities at this time of year, and the New Year’s Eve I spent in Amsterdam, as chaotic as it was, remains one of my favorites.

Amsterdam

Although the main squares are chaotic and it is hard to get into MoMA or the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam is incredibly fun for New Year’s Eve. Not only are there numerous parties in the city where you are sure to have a great time, but each city square also organizes its own special outdoor celebration, completely free of charge. At Museumplein, there are parties every year with a DJ and beautiful decorations, as well as electric fireworks, which are a much better alternative for the environment while still retaining the energy worthy of a big celebration.

Budapest

I believe that a trip to Budapest is always a good idea, and in recent years its Advent has become one of the most popular in Europe. The city is beautifully decorated, there are countless stalls with delicacies everywhere, lángos is food I never skip in Budapest, and there are concerts and great holiday events that guarantee a wonderful atmosphere whether you love parties or prefer relaxing in private company. If you head to Budapest for New Year’s Eve, the only guide you will need has been put together by our lifestyle editor Tina.

Dresden

A small city that has recently made it onto my bucket list, magical Dresden is a perfect destination for a holiday visit. It is not as popular as nearby Vienna and Prague, which means the crowds are smaller, and in winter it looks like a fairytale. Hope that the city rewards you with snow, and my suggestion is to take a trip during your stay to one of the nearby ski resorts such as the Erzgebirge, for a complete winter experience.

Celebrating at home

Let’s be realistic, sometimes the best New Year’s Eve is the one spent in the warmth of our own home, far from city crowds and noise. The most glamorous night of the year often turns into pure chaos, I think we have all experienced some New Year’s drama that we retell for years, and sometimes, after a year full of difficult news and unpleasant events, we truly do not feel like going out. But that does not mean the New Year should be insignificant, because it can still be spent beautifully, in the company of our loved ones.

Victoria Newman

New Year’s movie marathon

Since I truly love spending evenings at home, my family and friends know that I will rarely turn down a movie marathon, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. There are so many great film options we could watch on this evening, along with some holiday treats and good company. From romantic comedies, which to me are perfect winter-night viewing, through films from 2025 that could win an Oscar in just a few months, to classic holiday movies, it is hard to go wrong with any choice. Put on cozy socks and pajamas, mull some wine or make hot chocolate, and enjoy a cozy New Year’s Eve.

Board game night

Another activity I never turn down, quite the opposite, I always encourage it, is playing board games. Their popularity has been rising significantly in recent years, as people increasingly step away from screens in search of genuine connections. New Year’s Eve is long, which makes it perfect for games, since you can bring your selection of strategy, puzzle, and card games, give each a few rounds, and decide which one suits you and your group best that evening.

Try a new recipe

The diet can start after the holidays. New Year’s Eve is ideal for trying cozy, comforting, and delicious recipes, such as bundt cake, for which we have a great recipe from the cook Modla180, or classic panettone, the recipe for which was shared with us by the legendary Zagreb Boogie Lab. Warm aromas will help you relax, you can spend time with loved ones, or simply treat yourself to a new dessert that you can then make throughout the year.