Best New Year’s Eve parties across the UK: From Willy Wonka wonderland to night aboard the ‘Titanic’

Most people will be happy to see the back of 2016, so here’s where to give our annus horribilis the send-off it deserves

The circus freaks will be out in force at Brighton's FunFair Club

It’s so easy for New Year’s Eve to be a bummer – yawnsome house parties, crazy-expensive club entry fees, the long and boring wait for a cab that’s a final two fingers stuck up in your face at the end of the night. So why not grab some friends, get out of your hometown and treat yourself to a big weekend away? We’ve teamed up with nightlife experts DesignMyNight to find the UK’s best NYE blow-outs that are all but guaranteed to say “laters, yeah?” to 2016 in proper party style.

FunFair Club, Brighton

Thanks to its vintage circus theme, FunFair is one of Brighton’s quirkiest hangouts. Decorated with gilded curtains and popcorn machines, this December they’re adding a touch of Tinseltown to their countdown shenanigans. The club’s Hollywood Glamour night will add red carpets and champagne to the big top, and they’re said to have a few tricks up their sleeves on the night.

Need to know: £12, 10pm-4am

Tiger Tiger Presents Willy Wonka Wonderland, Newcastle

Tiger Tiger wants you to re-live your Charlie and the Chocolate Factory childhood fantasies this year with their Willy Wonka Wonderland New Year’s Eve event. Transforming the club into an adult playground, there’ll be a white chocolate room, Oompa Loompas and – fingers crossed – some giant candy, making for a world full of imagination that would impress Wonka himself. Entry fees start at £15, or you can pay more for tickets that include a three-course meal. Keen to get started early? There are 2-for-1 cocktails between 5-7pm.

Need to know: From £15, 5pm-3am

New Year’s Eve at Titanic, Belfast

This year, Belfast has pushed the boat out (har-har) to host an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party at the world’s largest Titanic exhibition. The big draw here is that you’ll get to party in front of the famous Titanic staircase – a replica of the ill-fated ship’s grand central feature. For £40, your night will kick off with a complimentary cocktail, followed by supper, plus there’s a live band and DJ to keep things hopping. The dress code is “cocktail attire”, so probably not one for bringing along your six-pack of Blue WKD. No, not even "ironically".

Need to know: £40, 7.30pm-1am; titanicbelfast.com

The replica staircase at Titanic Belfast (Titanic Belfast)

Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve at the Sky Garden, London

London’s Sky Garden, 155 metres up on the 35th floor of the City’s Walkie Talkie tower, offers spectacular views across the capital’s skyline. This year, this special venue is throwing a Great Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve soiree, offering the best seats in the house when it comes to watching the capital’s colourful fireworks display. That explains the door fee, then. Fancy dress fans: 1920s attire is encouraged, and there’ll be live music from Juke Joints, J & The Rest and the Sky Garden’s own in-house DJs.

Need to know: £165, 5.30pm-2am

Midnight in Mont Blanc, Manchester

Determined to throw the best bash in Manchester, Ark is putting on an appropriately wintry après-ski spectacular to wow the crowds this New Year’s Eve. Their Midnight in Mont Blanc event will pull out all the stops with four themed rooms, including “Alpine forest” and “ice cave”. Snow joke. (Sorry.) There’s even a VIP Snow Lodge where you’ll be plied with Ciroc cocktails (at a price, mind).

Need to know: From £17.50, 8pm-5am; arkmanchester.co.uk

London's Sky Garden offers a spectacular spot for watching the capital's fireworks (Sky Garden)

Mad Hatter New Year’s Eve, Edinburgh

Take a trip down the rabbit hole this New Year’s and head to LuLu for their anything-goes Mad Hatter’s party. Magicians will be roaming the venue while mixologists work their magic behind the bar, rustling up "kooky" cocktails in teapots. Posh packages start from £200 per table and there’s an exclusive VIP indoor garden. At midnight, you can forget about rubbish old party poppers – this lot are going all out with confetti cannons as the clock chimes 12.

Need to know: From £15, 10pm-5am; luluedinburgh.co.uk

For more information on the best nightlife events across the UK and to book tickets, visit designmynight.com