The World Celebrates New Year’s Eve

People celebrate with parties and social gatherings, there are alcoholic beverages, traditional champagne at midnight, noise-making, and fireworks. It’s December 31st, it’s midnight and people are hugging, kissing, and crying...

Kiribati

The Republic of Kiribati is the first country to receive the New Year and Kirimati is the first place in this country to see the sunrise.

Europe

Austria

When midnight arrives in Vienna, Austria all radio and TV programs that are operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin (the bell of St. Stephen’s Cathedral) and right afterward the “Donauwalzer” (The Blue Danube) to which many people dance at parties or on the street. Large crowds gather on the streets of Vienna, where the municipal government organizes a series of stages on which bands and orchestras play music. Fireworks are set off by the people or the municipal government.

Belgium

Belgians hold New Year’s celebrations in all the large cities on January 1st. They are followed by fireworks displays.

Czech Republic

The Czech people gather to celebrate with family and friends. In larger cities like Prague, the sounds of fireworks start in full daylight and steadily rise in frequency until midnight. All major TV stations broadcast entertaining shows before and after midnight. Just before midnight begins the countdown and at the midnight hour the national anthem is played and the president gives his speech.

Denmark

The Danes celebrate at home or at parties with lots of merrymaking and fun. One custom is to save old dishes all year round and then throw them at a friend’s or neighbor’s doors on New Year’s Eve. Many broken dishes are a symbol of having many friends.

Two significant events are broadcast on TV and radio – the New Year’s message from Amalienborg Palace at 6 PM and the Town Hall Clock in Copenhagen strikes at midnight where thousands of people gather at Radhuspladsen and cheer. Fireworks are displayed and one can see the parade of the Royal Guard in their red gala uniforms.

England

The British welcome the New Year with the chimes of Big Ben in London. The clock chimes the arrival of the New Year thirteen times. Over the last few years, the BBC has broadcast the celebrations from London.

In 2010 more than 20,000 people across the UK gathered to watch the fireworks display above the London Eye.

France

In France, New Year’s Eve is called “la Saint-Sylvester” and is celebrated with a feast which is called “le Reveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre”. This feast traditionally includes special dishes such as foie gras, seafood such as oysters, and drinks like champagne.

On New Year’s Day friends and family exchange their resolutions, kisses, and wishes the main ones being “Bonne Annee”, Bonheur, Sante, Amour, Argent (“Good Year”, Happiness, Health, Love and Money). Some people eat desserts made of ice cream. This holiday period ends on January 6th (The Twelfth Night) when the French celebrate the Wise Men eating a traditional type of flat pastry cake, most often two sheets of puff pastry filled with almond paste. This cake includes a feve, a small china character that whoever finds it becomes a king or queen and gets to wear a gold paper crown and then chooses their partner.

Germany

In Germany, since 1972 each New Year’s Eve several German TV stations broadcast a short English theatrical performance “Dinner for One”. This comedy sketch includes a punch line “same procedure as every year” and this has become a catchphrase in Germany.

Every year Britain hosts one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in all of Europe at the Brandenburg Gate. Germans have a love of fireworks and each year there are many fireworks displays to be seen all over the country. When the clock strikes midnight Germans toast the New Year with a glass of Sekt (German sparkling wine) or champagne. Another German custom is Bleigiesen which involves telling fortunes by the shapes made by molten lead dropped into cold water.

Iceland

In Icelandic Gleoilegt nytt is Happy New Year. The biggest New Year events are usually held in the greater Reykjavik area. In Iceland, fireworks are very popular. In several places throughout the country, bonfires are set up and are often accompanied by shows, musical events, and sometimes food tables.

Ireland

In Ireland New Year’s Eve celebrations are small. At the beginning of 2008, it was heralded in only by the ringing of church bells. A lot of Irish people go to smaller towns and villages to celebrate the New Year. Some popular destinations for festivities include Kerry, Limerick, Dublin, and Galway.

Italy

In Italy, New Year‘s Eve is called Capodanno (the head of the year) or Notte di San Silvestro (the night of St. Silvestro). Some traditional rituals include wearing red underwear and getting rid of old or unused items by dropping them out of a window, however, this is an old tradition and is not done today. The Italians eat their dinner with family and friends. Dinner often includes zampone or cotechino (a kind of spiced Italian sausage) and lentils. The President of Italy makes a speech at half past eight and at midnight fireworks are displayed across Italy.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands New Year’s Eve is called Oud en Nieuw (Old and New) or simply Oudejaarsavond (old years evening) and is usually celebrated as a cozy evening with family and friends. There is a big, lovely fireworks display in Amsterdam.

Traditional snack foods are olie bollen (oil dumplings – fried dough similar to doughnuts) and apple beignets (apple slice fritters). The main feature on TV is the oudejaarsconference which is a performance by one of the major Dutch cabaretiers (comparable to stand-up comedy but more serious). At midnight Gluhwein (bishop wine) or Champagne is drunk. Towns don’t organize a central fireworks display so people fire off their own fireworks. Public transportation shuts down between 8 PM to 1 AM. On TV a clock is broadcast several minutes before midnight.

Scotland

For the Scottish people, the New Year is Hogmanay and is celebrated with such customs as First Footing when friends or family members go to each other's houses with a gift of whisky and sometimes a lump of coal. One of the world’s most famous New Year’s celebration occurs in Edinburgh with a major street party along Princes Street. At the stroke of midnight, the cannon is fired at Edinburgh Castle and is followed by a fireworks display. The city of Edinburgh hosts a 4 to 5-day festival starting from the 28th til New Year’s Day or January 2nd. BBC Scotland broadcasts the celebrations.

Spain

Spanish celebrations begin with a family dinner which traditionally includes shrimp, lamb, or capon. It is thought to be good luck to wear new, red underwear. The actual countdown is primarily followed by the clock on top of the Casa de Correos building in Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid. One must eat one grape per each chime of the clock. After midnight has rung in, Spaniards toast each other with sparkling wine such as cava or champagne. Many young people attend New Year’s Eve parties at pubs, discos, and clubs. Early the next morning partygoers usually gather for the traditional winter breakfast of chocolate con churros – hot chocolate and fried pastry.

Wales

Welsh celebrations are known as Calennig. There is an ancient custom which survives to give gifts and money on New Year’s Day however nowadays it is more customary to give bread and cheese. Many people go to the Cardiff City Center where they can enjoy live music, catering, ice-skating, funfairs, and fireworks. Many of the celebrations take place at Cardiff Castle and Cardiff City Hall.

In Wales in Mountain Ash in the Cynon Valley every New Year’s Eve an annual 5-kilometer running road race called the Nos Galan Road Race is held. This race celebrates the life and achievements of Welsh runner Guto Nyth Bran and was founded in 1958 by local runner Bernard Balwin. The race is run over the 5-kilometer route of Bran’s first competitive race. The main race starts with a church service at Llanwynno and afterward, a wreath is laid on Bran’s grave in the Llanwynno Graveyard. Then a lighted torch is carried to the nearby town of Mountain Ash where the main race takes place. The race consists of a double-circuit of the town center, starting on Henry Street and ending on Oxford Street by the statue of Bran. At one time the race was timed to end at midnight but now has become a day of family entertainment and ends at about 9 PM. The afternoon starts with street entertainment and fun races for children.

Asia

China

The Chinese New Year begins much later in the New Year but celebrations of the Gregorian New Year are still held in some areas such as the one in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor Shopping Park with fireworks and rock concerts.

Hong Kong

People in Hong Kong gather in Central, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui to celebrate and to look at the nightlights along the harbor. The Times Square Shopping Mall in Hong Kong holds its own count off to the ball drop held at Times Square in New York City in the US. In 2008 the 60-sec numerical countdown by LED lights with pyrotechnic display effects on the façade of Two International Finance Center was begun, and is followed by a special fireworks display A Symphony of Lights.

India

In India Goa is the place to celebrate the birth of the New Year. Tourists and backpackers from all over the world go to Goa for the festivities. Most other celebrations take place in the larger cities of India. There are events like live concerts and dances by Bollywood stars and attended mostly by youngsters. Large crowds gather at popular spots along the coastline such as the Gateway of India, Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach etc. Fireworks are common.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the local government of Jakarta often holds a music show, a New Year’s countdown, and a fireworks party. Trumpets and fireworks are the most important things for Indonesian people to celebrate their New Year.

Japan

In Japan, New Year’s Eve is a day to prepare to welcome toshigami – New Year’s god. So traditionally the Japanese clean their homes and prepare Kadomatsu (a traditional Japanese decoration of the New Year placed in pairs in front of homes supposedly to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest. Typically made of pine, bamboo, and sometimes ume tree sprigs which represent longevity, prosperity, and steadfastness) and/or Shimenawa (lengths of braided rice straw rope used for ritual purification in the Shinto religion) to welcome the god before New Year’s Eve sets in.

On New Year’s Eve, a popular TV show is the Red and White Year-End Song Festival. Kohaku Uta Gassen is a 60-year-old tradition involving a singing contest between male and female teams of celebrity singers.

Lebanon

The Lebanese celebrate New Year’s Eve using fireworks and by organizing tabouli (a salad made with bulgur, tomatoes, lemon juice, onions, parsley, mint, and spices), hummus (blenderized garbanzo beans with lemon juice, garlic, and spices) and kibbi (a baked dish with ground beef, wheat, onions, and spices) and other Lebanese foods for family and friends. Sometimes celebrations take place at clubs or diners. Game shows are organized where people can try their luck to win some money. The synchronized final countdown is broadcast through the leading TV channels and celebrations continue until sunrise.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, a government-held countdown for the New Year is known as Ambang Tahun Baru and is held in Merdeka Square, the field opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. This event is also broadcast on government as well as private TV stations.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, the end of the year is celebrated with concerts held in cities including Taoyuan, Taichung, Taipei, and Kaohsiung. In the most crowded city, the capital Taipei people gather by Taipei 101 the tower which is located in the shopping and financial area of the Xinyi District. When the countdown begins with each number they count one of the layers of Taipei 101 (eight floors per layer) lights up until 0 when fireworks shoot out from the top of each layer in different directions.

Australia

The major cities in Australia feature fireworks displays. In Perth, at Gloucester Park Racetrack there is the largest and most recognized display. In Brisbane, thousands of people gather around the Brisbane River for fireworks.

Sydney has a themed light show and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Afterward, music shows are featured on several stages on the beach.

New Zealand

In New Zealand Gisborne which is 496.3 kilometers (308.4 mi) west of the International Date Line is the first major city to see the beginning of the New Year. People celebrate with large street parties and fireworks. In other parts of New Zealand local councils usually organize parties, street carnivals, and fireworks displays.

The tallest tower in the southern hemisphere Sky Tower in Auckland lights up the sky with fireworks from the top of the tower.

North America

Canada

In major metropolitan areas such as Toronto and Montreal in Canada, there are major celebrations with music and fireworks at midnight. People celebrate with late-night partying and in some areas such as rural Quebec people ice fish and drink with friends until the wee hours of January 1. On TV the sketch comedy troupe Royal Canadian Air Farce offers New Year’s Eve specials.

The United States

In the United States, one of the top destination cities for New Year’s Eve celebrations is New York City. For the past 100 years the “ball dropping” at Times Square from the top of One Times Square has been broadcast to all of America (and rebroadcast to many other countries) and is a major component of the New Year celebration. The 11,875 lb (5,386 kg), 12 ft (3.7 m) diameter Waterford crystal ball located high above Times Square is lowered starting at 11:59:00 PM and reaches the bottom of the tower 60 seconds later at the stroke of midnight.

A popular song to sing at midnight on New Year’s Eve is Auld Lang Syne and of course, if you find yourself in N.Y.C. on New Year’s Eve at midnight what better place than to celebrate with thousands of others at Times Square watching the ever popular ball drop in the New Year. There are also major New Year’s Eve celebrations all across America just pick a state and a city and enjoy.

Mexico

With each of the twelve chimes that ring during the New Year countdown, Mexicans eat a grape while making a wish with each one. At home and at parties decorations are put up with colors such as red to encourage an overall improvement of lifestyle and love, yellow to encourage blessings of improved employment conditions, green to improve financial circumstances, and white to improve health. Mexican sweet bread is baked with a coin or charm hidden in the dough and when the bread is served the guest whose slice contains the coin or charm is believed to be blessed with good luck in the New Year. Another tradition involves making a list of all the bad or unhappy events from the current year before midnight and then throwing the list into a fire, symbolizing the removal of negative energy from the New Year. At the same time, thanks is expressed for all the good things that were in the year that is coming to an end so that they will continue in the New Year. In Mexico City, the New Year’s Eve celebration is centered around Zocalo, the city’s main square.

Central America

Guatemala

In Antigua, Guatemala people gather at the Santa Catalina Clock Arch to celebrate New Year’s Eve (Fin del Ano). Celebrations are centered around Guatemala City’s Plaza and firecrackers are lit at sundown and continue without interruption into the night. Guatemalans wear new clothes for good fortune and down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the New Year countdown making a wish with each one. Gifts are left for the children under the tree on Christmas morning but parents and adults don’t exchange gifts until New Year’s Day.

South America

Argentina

At 11 PM in Argentina family and friends gather for a fest of traditional dishes. Afterward, they go out just before midnight to see the fireworks. New Year's Day is celebrated with champagne and cider and people party and celebrate till dawn.

Brazil

In Brazil, the New Year celebration is known as The Ano Novo (in Portuguese) or by the French world Reveillon. It is one of the country’s main holidays and officially marks the beginning of the summer holidays. Many Brazilians consider the beach of Copacabana to be the location of the best fireworks shows in the world.

Traditionally Brazilians have a large meal with family or friends at home, in restaurants, or in private clubs accompanied by alcoholic beverages and usually dress in white to bring good luck into the new year. Some of the customs associated with the holiday are fireworks, offerings to African-Brazilian deities, and eating grapes or lentils.

In Sao Paulo, there is a famous worldwide event known as the Saint Silvester Marathon (a long-distance running event, the oldest and most prestigious street race in Brazil).

Ecuador

In Ecuador, elaborate effigies which are called Anos Viejos (Old Years) are created to represent people and events from the past. These may include political characters or leaders. The dummies are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes with paper mache masks. These are often stuffed with firecrackers then at midnight the effigies are lit to symbolize the burning away of the past year and the welcoming of the New Year.

Other rituals are performed for health, wealth, prosperity, and protection. A person may traditionally eat twelve grapes before midnight making a wish with each grape. Popularly yellow underwear is said to attract positive energies for the New Year and walking around the block with one’s suitcase will bring the person the journey of their dreams.