New Year's traditions around the world

Wonder how the world celebrates new year? Here's our article on new year traditions worldwide.

For many people around the world, December 31st marks the end of one year and the start of another. Billions of people stay up to celebrate the end of one year and to welcome in the New Year. But, just like Christmas, there is a myriad of different New Year’s traditions around the world.

Perhaps you know about some of them. Many people will know about the grand fireworks displays in the likes of Sydney or London and the Times Square ball drop in New York. Many other parts of the world have their own traditions and customs. Ideal for if you’re headed there for New Year this year!

Europe

In Russia, children can visit the New Year Tree at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, a huge, brightly lit tree (like a Christmas tree). Children can also attend a fairy tale play and to highlight the day, Grandfather Frost and his helper the Snow Maiden distribute gifts.

In Sweden, many people celebrate the New Year church in the morning, followed by a big, family dinner, much like a second Christmas day. Sounds good to me!

Asia

In Vietnam, New Year is an almost fortnight-long festival. Vietnamese people believe that there is a god in each of their households, who at the end of the year, travels to heaven on a carp to judge what kind of person each householder has been. A live carp is bought and then let go in a river or a pond for good luck.

To keep evil spirits out, Japanese hang a rope of straw in front of the full width of their houses. The rope is meant to signify happiness and good luck.

UK

Closer to home, in Scotland, New year is known as Hogmanay. Whilst many people will know about Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, some villages still practice the tradition of setting barrels of tar on fire and rolling them through the streets. The old year is burned off and a new one is allowed to enter.

Another Scottish new year tradition is that of first-footing, whereby the first person to enter the house after midnight must be a dark-haired guest, again, this is believed to bring good luck for the rest of the year.

These are some new years traditions around the world

As you can see, new year is celebrated in many different ways around the world.

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Wonder how the world celebrates new year? Here's our article on new year traditions worldwide.

For many people around the world, December 31st marks the end of one year and the start of another. Billions of people stay up to celebrate the end of one year and to welcome in the New Year. But, just like Christmas, there is a myriad of different New Year’s traditions around the world.

Europe

Asia

UK

These are some new years traditions around the world

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