Pacific Ocean Leave your worries and the rest of the world behind in 2011 in this tiny Pacific nation . Kiribati is the first place in the world to ring in 2012 . Kiribati prides itself on being the first nation to celebrate the New Year , even changing the name of one of its islands before 2000 to Millennium Island to mark the fact it would be the first country to enter the third millennium . Niagara Falls , Ontario This is no ordinary waterfront , but with the spectacular backdrop of the Niagara Falls , it 's hard to go past Queen Victoria Park in Ontario . The freezing weather does not deter the tens of thousands of people who hit the park to count down to the New Year . Revelers can listen to live music while watching an amazing fireworks display over the world famous waterfall . Copacabana Beach , Rio de Janerio Brazilians are renowned for their outstanding parties and New Year 's Eve is no different . It is one of the greatest celebrations in the South American nation , second only to the Carnival . Millions hit the sands of the famous Copacabana
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- In the lead up to every New Year 's Eve the inevitable question of how to celebrate arises . For most , waterfronts become the focal point of the celebrations . It 's hard not to see why with the amazing firework displays looking even more dazzling reflected in the water . So jump in a boat or head to the foreshore for our the top 10 places to countdown to 2012 . River Seine , Paris See Paris , the ` City of Light ' , be lit with fireworks while cruising down the River Seine on the last day of the year . The Eiffel Tower is the centerpiece for the festivities and from some parts of the river you can get a magnificent uninterrupted view of the famous structure . Sydney Harbor Sydney prides itself on holding what it claims to be the most spectacular New Year 's Eve celebrations in the world . Thousands of boats anchor in the harbor and millions of people hit the foreshore to witness the firework display with the ` Sydney Opera House ' and Harbor Bridge used as the backdrop . The shores of Kiribati ,