The start of a new year is a universal symbol of fresh beginnings, hope and celebration.
While New Year’s Eve and Day are observed almost globally, the customs and traditions can look vastly different depending on where you are in the world. From fireworks over Sydney Harbor to the 12 grape challenge in Spain, each country has its own unique way of ringing in the new year.
Here’s how different cultures welcome the new year with joy, reflection and, of course, a bit of flair.
How different countries celebrate the New Year
New Year in Asian nations
China
Forget January 1 — in China, the big New Year’s celebration follows the lunar calendar, typically falling between late January and mid-February. The festivities last for 15 days, filled with colorful parades, dragon and lion dances and endless feasts with family. Fireworks light up the skies to ward off evil spirits, and children receive red envelopes filled with money for good luck.
Japan
Japan’s New Year celebration, Shōgatsu, is a time for reflection and renewal. Bells ring 108 times at Buddhist temples to cleanse people of worldly desires, while families clean their homes and decorate with kadomatsu (bamboo and pine arrangements) to welcome good fortune. Shōgatsu spans the first three days of January and is one of Japan’s most important holidays.
India
India’s New Year’s celebrations vary by region.
While January 1 is typically marked with parties and fireworks, other communities celebrate New Year’s Day at other points in the year according to local calendars. Diwali (in some regions) and Ugadi (in the south) are two examples of New Year’s celebrations involving rangoli (colorful floor art), sweets and prayers for prosperity.
South Korea
Like China, South Korea’s Seollal is celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Families honor their ancestors with ceremonial rituals, wear traditional hanbok attire and play folk games. Seollal is a time for reflection, family bonding and showing gratitude to elders.
New Year in European nations
Spain
Want to ensure good fortune for the next 12 months? In Spain, you’ll need to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight — one grape for each chime of the clock. This tradition, known as "Las Doce Uvas," symbolizes luck and prosperity for each month of the new year.
Italy
In Italy, it’s all about luck, love and wealth. People wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve for love and passion, while eating lentils (a symbol of wealth) is believed to bring prosperity. In some places, people literally toss old possessions out of windows to make room for new blessings.
Scotland
Scotland’s Hogmanay is legendary. The "first-footing" tradition means the first person to cross your threshold after midnight should bring gifts of coal, shortbread or whisky to ensure good luck. Expect torchlit parades, bonfires and street parties that continue well into January 1.
Germany
If you’re in Germany on New Year’s Eve, you might see people melting lead and pouring it into water to predict their fortunes. Germans also love fireworks and doughnuts ("Berliners"), with some mischievously filling one with mustard as a practical joke.
Greece
In Greece, families bake a sweet bread called vasilopita, hiding a coin inside. Whoever finds the coin in their slice is destined for good fortune in the coming year. This sweet (literally) tradition is a beloved part of Greek New Year’s celebrations.
New Year in the Americas
United States
From the iconic Times Square ball drop in New York City to backyard fireworks in small towns, the United States celebrates New Year’s Eve with countdowns, champagne toasts and parties. The ball drop has become a global symbol of the new year’s arrival.
Brazil
In Brazil, it’s common to wear white on New Year’s Eve to invite peace and purity into the new year. Many people head to the beach to jump over seven waves and toss flowers into the ocean as an offering to Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea.
Mexico
Mexicans also practice the 12-grape tradition from Spain, but they add a twist — running around with a suitcase at midnight to attract travel opportunities in the coming year. Throwing water out of windows is also believed to cleanse negative energy.
Peru
In Peru, people burn effigies of politicians, celebrities or characters from the past year. Wearing yellow underwear is said to bring good fortune, and some people walk around their block with a suitcase for travel luck.
Ecuador
Similar to Peru, Ecuadorians create and burn "Año Viejo" (old year) effigies representing the past year’s struggles and mistakes. The fiery ritual is a symbolic cleansing to ensure a fresh start.
New Year in African nations
South Africa
In some areas of South Africa, people throw old furniture and appliances out of windows to get rid of bad energy and welcome new beginnings. Fireworks and parties are also part of the celebration.
Nigeria
Many Nigerians attend Watch Night church services filled with singing, dancing and prayers for blessings in the new year. Family feasts and large gatherings follow.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s new year, Enkutatash, is celebrated on September 11 and marks the end of the rainy season. Children sing songs and present flowers, while families share feasts to welcome the new year with love and abundance.
New Year in Oceania
Australia
If you’ve ever seen images of spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbor, you’ve witnessed one of the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve displays. Thousands of people gather to watch the fireworks light up the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
New Zealand
As one of the first countries to welcome the new year, New Zealand’s celebrations include fireworks, beach parties and Māori cultural performances, making it a memorable way to start the year.
New Year in Middle Eastern nations
United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are larger than life. Iconic firework displays at the Burj Khalifa and waterfront parties make it one of the most extravagant destinations for New Year’s Eve!
Israel
Unlike other celebrations, Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year that takes place in September or October. Families eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year, and the shofar (a ram’s horn) is blown to signal reflection and renewal.
New Year’s celebrations may look different from country to country, but the themes of hope, renewal and joy are universal. Whether you’re eating grapes in Spain, jumping waves in Brazil or burning effigies in Ecuador, each tradition has deep cultural meaning.
As you plan your own New Year’s festivities, why not borrow a tradition from another part of the world? After all, a little extra luck never hurt anyone.
Here’s to a bright and joyful new year, wherever and however you celebrate it!
Happy New Year!
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Featured photo by Jamie Fenn on Unsplash
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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