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One city is flooding Instagram on New Year’s Eve (and it’s not Paris)

Social media data reveals the most photographed New Year’s Eve destination

By Amanda Teague Dec 20, 2025 4:00 AM

London — Stewart Marsden / Shutterstock

If your New Year’s Eve feed feels unusually British this year, there is a reason. According to a December 2025 report from social media growth company Socialplug, London has officially claimed the title of the most Instagrammable city to celebrate New Year’s Eve, beating out longtime favorites like New York and Paris.

The study analyzed more than 50 global winter destinations, ranking cities based on Instagram posts using holiday related hashtags and how often travelers searched for those destinations in a New Year travel context. Safety ratings and average temperatures during New Year’s week were also factored into the rankings, offering a fuller picture of why certain cities shine brighter on social media.

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London takes the top spot with more than 460,000 Instagram hashtags tied to New Year celebrations. From fireworks along the Thames to glowing holiday lights in neighborhoods like Covent Garden and Soho, the city offers no shortage of photo worthy moments. More than 5.3 million people are checking London online for New Year travel, and with comfortable temperatures and just a couple of snowy days, winter weather is more manageable than many expect.

New York lands in second place, racking up roughly 387,000 festive Instagram posts. The city remains a classic New Year’s Eve favorite, fueled by over 6 million online lookups. With few snowy days likely, New York delivers that iconic winter backdrop that makes Times Square, Central Park, and skyline shots especially popular.

Paris follows in third with about 180,000 Instagram posts showcasing decorated streets, holiday markets, and landmark views. While it draws fewer lookups than London and New York, the French capital still holds strong appeal thanks to mild winter temperatures and its unmistakable holiday charm.

The most instagrammable New Year’s Eve destinations

London
New York
Paris
Dubai
Chicago
Sydney
Vienna
Berlin
Rome
Moscow

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

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