It’s a sunny day in May at the foot of the French Prealps, and the bar-brasserie Le Schuss in the town of Voiron is throwing—there’s no other word for it—a rager. On the outdoor terrace, a DJ stands with his turntable on a raised platform, rallying a horde of teenagers in green and yellow bandanas, pumping their fists to pop hits from the 2000s and ’10s. The speakers blast “Starships” by Nicki Minaj as beer spills from plastic cups. What resembles a fine mist hovers over the scene—smoke from cigarettes and vapor from vapes.

This is, to my great surprise, part of Les Fêtes de la Chartreuse, an annual festival in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France that, indeed, fetes Chartreuse. It’s a triple celebration: of the green liqueur distilled from about 130 botanicals by Carthusian monks according to a centuries-old secret recipe; the verdant mountain range after which the drink, the monks, and their monastery are named; and the area’s natural bounty at the height of spring. The Voironnais, with their neighbors in nearby Saint-Étienne-de-Crossey and Saint-Nicolas-de-Macherin, have hosted Les Fêtes for the past 10 years. I have come to partake, as a francophile and booze hound, hoping to learn about Chartreuse at its source.

Chartreuse comes in two “flavors”: green and yellow. I prefer the former—herbaceous, piquant, and almost overwhelming. Drinking it straight feels like a meadow grabbing you by the throat and saying, “Do you like that?” (My answer is yes.) That sharpness tempers whatever drink it’s in, as in the sweet-and-sour Last Word, an IBA cocktail made with gin, lime juice, Maraschino liqueur, and green Chartreuse. But the yellow variation has its charms too. It’s milder—at about 40% ABV, compared to green’s 55%—and sweetly cozy, like a good morning kiss from a casual lover.

Given Chartreuse’s rarified place of pride in bars and drink menus around the world, I expected a more refined, cosmopolitan vibe to the proceedings in Voiron—maybe tastings that examine different vintages, or gastronomic menus made to pair with Chartreuse-based tipples. Instead, I find a parade on Voiron’s main street featuring circus performers and stiltwalkers in Chartreuse-colored wigs; a “banquet populaire” with food stalls selling wursts in stale buns; semi-professional musical acts led by French dads; French moms in cropped denim jackets hooting and hollering, pints in hand, with their besties from lycée in Lyon, Grénoble, or right here in Voiron. As I weave through the long refectory tables overflowing with revelers and ale, I can’t help but laugh: The whole affair is rambunctious and unabashedly down-home, like a cross between a state fair and a frat’s block party. To be clear, I don’t dislike this.

Inside Le Schuss, I squeeze through the crowd clad in varying shades of mint, pear, and lime. Over the music (Katy Perry’s rager anthem “Last Friday Night”), I ask the barman for a glass of Chartreuse. He shrugs that Gallic shrug and says, ever so Frenchly, “Pas possible.”

You see, there’s a Chartreuse “shortage.” It was all over the news about three years ago—or at least it was in my mixology-pilled corner of the internet. Historically, the liqueur was little-known, an if-you-know-you-know industry favorite imbibed by folks in F&B because it was very strong, delicious (so unique on the palate that a taste for it made you cool), and rarely requested by customers. That changed in the Covid-19 pandemic, when the masses took up hobbies like at-home mixology to kill time and, in my case, self-medicate. What was once left to gather dust on shelves started flying off of them. Scrooges hoarded the stuff. Prices spiked for bottles, if you could find one. Call her the elusive Chartreuse.

Come the evening of December 31, the AMC Empire 25 movie theater on 42nd Street changes into a New Year’s extravaganza, aided with plenty of movie magic. While movie-going and overflowing buckets of buttery popcorn are on the table, that’s just the beginning. The party really kicks off with visits to the open bar, live entertainment, and a Champagne toast. Every ticket even includes access to the sixth-floor “Platinum View Terrace,” with guaranteed views of the live ball drop. This year’s screenings include Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, and Marty Supreme, among others. This is the family-friendly New Year’s event you won’t want to miss.

A watch party for under $100: Frames Bowling Lounge

When: December 31, 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Where: Frames Bowling Lounge, 550 9th Ave.
Price: Starting at $99
How to book: Tickets available online

Who said you couldn’t ball on a budget while watching the ball drop? Frames Bowling Lounge offers a ticket just shy of $100. A brisk 10-minute walk away from Times Square, the lounge’s party starts at 7 p.m. and lasts til 2 a.m. The ball drop is cast on every angle from the venue’s wall-to-wall TVs, and the new year is welcomed with none other than a Champagne toast. Keep the good times going at the open bar, live DJ, buffet stations with kid-approved food (i.e., chicken tenders), and, of course, bowling, bowling, and bowling. Upgrade your ticket for table service, private lanes, and other perks.

A magical rooftop bar: Moxy Times Square

When: December 31, 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Where: Moxy NYC Times Square, 485 7th Ave.
Price: Starting at $175
How to book: Tickets available online

The tickets for the rooftop at the Moxy have actually dropped for this year. That might just be all it takes to convince us the ditch our black tie tuxedoes and cinch a spot at one of Midtown’s most colorful hotels, Moxy NYC Times Square. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Magic Hour, is throwing an all-night New Year’s Eve party featuring what’s touted as an “urban amusement park” with “State Fair-inspired light bites,” plus an open bar and a Champagne toast at midnight. Bonus: The hotel is just a few blocks away from Times Square. While it’s one of the most affordable ways to watch the ball drop this year, trust that the price point does not subtract from its sheer class.

Dates: November 13 through December 24, 2025

Why we love it: If you say “holiday market” to a New Yorker, chances are they’ll direct you to the bustling Union Square Holiday Market. With 185 vendors spread across concentric half-circles of booths, we’re not exaggerating when we say you can find the perfect present for everyone on your list at this sprawling pop-up. Some buzzy vendors to look out for this year? Wicked Heathens handmade crystal jewelry, Meow Parlor’s cat beds, and make sure to save time to explore the many food purveyors for snacks, like Rubyzaar’s absurdly delicious torched hot chocolate. Pro tip: As the city’s most famous market, it can get quite crowded on nights and weekends, so try to opt for daytime weekday visits if possible.

Printemps New York Holiday Market

Location: 1 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

Dates: Every Friday through Sunday in December

Why we love it: Paris import Printemps opened its first department store in New York this year and, as is no surprise, both its selection of goods and interior design are stunningly chic. Happily, you can take a bit more of that French magic home with you this December, when the store launches its first weekend holiday market. Four stations will be scattered around the first floor selling everything from mulled wine and spiced Old Fashioneds to beautifully boxed gift sets of nougat, chocolate, and candy. Keep your eye out for a massive Arc de Triomphe, too—made entirely out of gingerbread.

The first weekend of December sees the Brooklyn Navy Yard transform into Wallabout Wonderland for an eighth season of local vendor takeover.

Courtesy of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation

Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market

Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard, 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Once the moon has just about completed 12 full cycles of its phases, the Lunar New Year falls upon us. The first new moon of this next cycle—in mid-February for 2026—marks the beginning of spring according to the lunisolar calendar, which is certainly cause for celebration. For 15 days, about two billion people around the world will be taking part in all sorts of festivities—spiritual, cultural, and simply spectacular. Though the lunar new year is celebrated by a multitude of cultures around the world, the types of festivities that occur in February are historically associated with celebrations in Asia, such as Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, and the like.

While many locals like to spend the Spring Festival having intimate gatherings with family and friends, there is still plenty to do for visitors looking to join in on public celebrations. Temple visits, parades, street fairs, and fireworks shows are some of the most well-attended events. However, there are also lantern festivals, cultural demonstrations, flower markets, and so much more. Here are some of the best ways you can welcome the coming Lunar New Year.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.

Temples like the one in Beijing’s Heaven Park tend to fill up with celebrants for the lunar new year.

Getty

Visit temples and attend temple fairs in Beijing

The new year brings new hope for prosperity and better fortunes in family, health, love, and money—and many like to start the year right with prayer. Beijing’s temples are one of the busiest places to be during the Lunar New Year, with crowds packing temples to pay their respects to Buddhist deities. However, for those who don’t practice Buddhism, there are also temple fairs on the temple grounds or nearby. The largest and oldest temple fair in Beijing is one held at Ditan Park. There’s a wide variety of local snacks and artisanal crafts featured in booths in the park, folk performances from different regions of China (including lion dancing), and games. Other temple fairs also have their own unique activities and attractions, like the Old Summer Palace temple fair which features ice skating performances that recreate events during the Qing dynasty.

Over at the Legacy Club at the Circa Resort & Casino, the rooftop cocktail lounge will be hosting a Star-Spangled Glamour celebration where you can take in the fireworks from its swanky perch on the 60th floor. Tickets start at $150 per person with premium table packages available.

Off the Strip

Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Summerlin will host its annual fireworks viewing party at its Sandbar pool area on July 4. While there’s no cost to view the fireworks from other places on property, the viewing party is $10 for guests 2 to 11 years of age and $35 for guests 12 and up. Admission includes light-up necklaces and tickets can be purchased from the resort’s gift shop. Hotel guests will get four complimentary wristbands if they book a room. The viewing party opens at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks going off at 9 p.m.

Over in Henderson, Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino, a sister property to the Red Rock, will also host a fireworks viewing party for its fireworks show on July 4. Tickets to watch the show from the resort’s main pool, amphitheater, pond, and terrace are $10 for guests 2 to 11 years of age and $35 for guests 12 and up—the same as at the Red Rock. Similarly, admission includes light-up necklaces and tickets can be purchased from the resort’s gift shop. The schedule is the same too: The viewing party opens at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks commence at 9 p.m.

The M Resort in Henderson, about 25 minutes from the Strip, will have a 15-minute fireworks celebration at its M Pool Deck on July 4 at 9 p.m. Tickets are being offered for a premium viewing experience, starting at $10 for children age 10 and under and $30 for adults. Live music from Cover Lane, an acoustic duo featuring Lynnae Meyers and the Las Vegas Knights anthem singer, Carnell Johnson, will kick off the celebration at 7:45 p.m.

Lake Las Vegas, located about 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, will have its own community fireworks show over the 320-acre lake at 9 p.m. on July 4. Guests of the Westin Lake Las Vegas and Hilton Lake Las Vegas resorts will have prime views of the show, but it’s free for everyone to watch. Want to add a little adventure before the show? Book an evening kayak tour on the lake that ends just before the fireworks begin.

For a memorable stay, book a weekend at the Four Seasons and some time aboard their 55-foot yacht, where you can enjoy a curated fireworks experience, including a bespoke menu from chef Richie Farina featuring a medley of elevated bites. For a real splurge, spring for the Dom Perignon Epicurean Package, featuring a Champagne and raw bar set-up.

NASCAR Chicago Street Race

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is back on July 6 and 7, gathering fans for its 12-turn, 2.2-mile course that will take drivers by some of the city’s most iconic sites and landmarks. Stick around post-race on July 6, when The Black Keys will perform at Grant Park, followed by The Chainsmokers—natural accompaniments to that night’s fireworks, accessible exclusively through NASCAR Chicago Experiences by QuintEvents (packages ranging to include prime seating and hotel stays).

The Up Room has sweeping views of the city skyline—and any 4th of July fireworks Chicago has to offer.

Kim Yeoh

The Robey

If you don’t do crowds and are content with neighborhood fireworks, opt for The Robey hotel in Wicker Park. You’ll be far from the lake, but you’ll be able to spot fireworks in every direction, especially from the hotel’s 13th-floor lounge, The Up Room. Afterwards, head to the 6th-floor Cabana Club, where you can dip your toes in the outdoor pool and order ice-cold drinks and Mediterranean bites by chef Michael Elliott. Try one of their frozen treats (Aperol pops or the piña colada, available with or without alcohol), and raise a glass as the sun sets and the light show kicks off.

Museum Campus

Promontory Point offers all-encompassing views over the distant, illuminated skyline—but for slightly closer views, settle in somewhere on Museum Campus (namely, the coveted stretch between the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium). Keep the celebrations going on July 3, when the Shedd Aquarium hosts “Jazzin’ at the Shedd,” a weekly chance to enjoy drinks and music from one of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles, plus excellent lakefront and skyline views. Navy Pier’s regularly programmed Wednesday fireworks kick off at 9 p.m., ensuring a special way to wind down the evening.

Cindy’s at the Chicago Athletic Association

For an exciting viewing experience, gather with friends at any number of hotels with balconies, rooftops, or lake views—and if you’re near Millennium Park, make it the Chicago Athletic Association and its rooftop restaurant Cindy’s, where guests can enjoy bites by chef Kaleena Bliss while taking in exceptional city views. While there, try the Tierra Roja, a crowd favorite cocktail featuring mezcal, passionfruit, and green tea-infused rum.

360 CHICAGO

For some of the best vantage points of the Chicago 4th of July fireworks 2024, get advance tickets to the 360 CHICAGO observation deck at 875 N. Michigan Ave. (formerly the John Hancock Center). All admission passes include access from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and you can spring for an all-access ticket to experience TILT, a thrilling ride that leans you forward for a staggering 1000-foot-high view of the Mag Mile.

If you’re looking for trips to book for Independence Day, consider catching 4th of July fireworks at Niagara Falls, where displays will dazzle visitors every night of the holiday weekend. In fact, you can catch fireworks at the iconic landmark nightly at 10 p.m. (weather permitting) between May 19, 2023, and October 9, 2023.

Niagara Falls is a series of three thundering waterfalls on the Niagara River between the US and Canada, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in North America. The free summertime Niagara Falls fireworks, as well as the nightly illumination of the falls, draw visitors to the attraction well after sundown. Though the fireworks show typically runs for just five to 10 minutes, the program is extended for holidays like Independence Day in the US and Victoria Day in Canada. Plus, the falls are illuminated in the typical colors of the events—you’ll see a red, white, and blue Niagara Falls for July 4th.

As it goes with any Fourth of July fireworks show, planning is key, as you can expect large crowds. Most importantly, you’ll want to find the perfect view of the falls and arrive early to claim your spot. To help you pick your viewing area for the show, we’re sharing the best places to watch the Niagara Falls.

Queen Victoria Park

The best spot to see the 4th of July fireworks at Niagara Falls isn’t actually on the US side—it’s in Canada. Queen Victoria Park is located right on the waterfront and provides the best view of the illumination of the falls and the fireworks show. As such, it’s a very popular fireworks viewpoint, and it can fill up quickly, so plop down on a picnic blanket well before the show and bring some snacks!

Prospect Point

On the US side, the prime viewing area is Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park. Here, you’ll also find the Niagara Falls Observation Tower and the launch point for the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour. Neither of those attractions will be open during the fireworks show, but they make for some fun daytime activities before you hunker down for the main event.

Skylon Tower

It’s not often you get the chance to look down at fireworks, but that’s precisely what you get if you ascend Skylon Tower on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, which tops out at 775 feet above the Niagara River. On top are a rotating restaurant and an observation deck—we recommend making a dinner reservation before the Fourth of July fireworks, then heading to the observation deck for the show.

Terrapin Point

If you want to get up close and personal with the falls while viewing the Fourth of July fireworks, Terrapin Point in New York’s Niagara Falls State Park is the spot for you. It’s located on Goat Island between the Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls, so there’s a decent chance you might feel some of the mist.

Looking for 4th of July events in Las Vegas? You won’t be surprised to learn that the holiday doesn’t look that much different than any other day of the year in this city. Amidst the constant ringing of slot machines, throngs of people in the pools and in the nightclubs, and a never-ending display of over-the-top glitz, it might seem like business as usual in Las Vegas on Independence Day.

However, Las Vegas always loves a good reason to party and the 4th of July is actually one of the biggest nights of the year, thanks to a number of special events planned, including, naturally, a fireworks extravaganza right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip.

If you’re going to be in town and are looking for 4th July events in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of things to do whether you want to relax poolside, try your luck at blackjack, or take in a gravity-defying acrobatics show. But to keep you from being inundated by too many choices, here are some different ways to explore the city beyond the hotel room and casino this week. Read on for the best 4th of July events in Las Vegas.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Watch the fireworks

It’s not the 4th of July without a dazzling fireworks show and Las Vegas definitely delivers on these patriotic performances. The city will have two fireworks shows at 9 p.m. on July 4th. One takes place on Las Vegas Boulevard in the middle of The Strip at Caesars Palace while the other will take place downtown at The Plaza Hotel and Casino.

There are also opportunities to see fireworks at a handful of off-strip resorts such as Red Rock Resort Casino & Spa in Summerlin, as well as at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa and The M Resort, both of which are in Henderson. These spots are all about 20 to 25 minutes away by car from the heart of Las Vegas.

If you want to go a little further east, Lake Las Vegas is having its own fireworks show at 9 p.m. over the 320-acre reservoir.

For star-spangled glamor, head to the rooftop lounge at Circa Resort for July 4th-themed cocktails and live music.

Ryan Gobuty

Indulge around town

Don’t limit yourself to the dining and entertainment options in the hotel you’re staying at as plenty of places around town are getting into the patriotic mood.