The fireworks display was most amazing around 11:30-12:30 on New Year's Eve. We tried to climb up on to the roof of our dorm building to get a better view of the city. However it was locked, so instead we climbed up the library next door and stood on the fire escape to get a better view of the fireworks. I think it was about 13 stories up so the view was quite good (even though many of the surrounding buildings were still taller). The sky was lit up in every direction because of the massive amount of fireworks and the air grew hazier as the night went on, collecting the smoke from the explosions. It was like nothing I've ever seen before; quite an experience. The celebration is a little like the 4th of July, except that the fireworks are launched from everywhere instead of a single location, they last for hours and anyone in the city can buy them and set them off anywhere they like (like on the sidewalk or in the road). To be honest, I'm a little surprised the whole city hasn't burned down yet. (I also heard that fireworks were banned for a few years a few years ago, so people are still excited about being able to set them off again.) I have been hearing fireworks explosions since I arrived here and I can still hear them occasionally as I write this.
I took some pictures and a few videos: http://s591.photobucket.com/albums/ss353/klebling/