New Year's Eve

Chapter 7

In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, also known as Old Year's Day, is the magical evening or entire day of the last day of the year, December 31st. It's a time of endings and new beginnings, wrapped in the anticipation of midnight.

In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated with dancing, feasting, drinking, and the mesmerizing spectacle of fireworks lighting up the night sky.

How is New Year's Eve celebrated in different countries and cultures around the world?

In Algeria, New Year's Eve is a festive occasion spent with family and friends. In the big cities, the night sky is illuminated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight.

In Egypt, New Year's Eve sparkles with vibrant fireworks and lively evening parties where friends and family gather to celebrate.

People in Ghana celebrate New Year's Eve with a mix of spirituality and festivity. Some attend church services, while others flock to nightclubs or pubs. As the clock strikes twelve, the skies across numerous cities light up with breathtaking fireworks.

In Morocco, New Year's Eve is a joyous time spent with loved ones. Moroccans gather to enjoy delicious cakes, dance and share hearty laughter.

Tunisians celebrate by dining in restaurants or hotels, exchanging gifts and flowers. Many also choose to travel to European destinations to ring in the New Year in style.

In Bangladesh, the celebrations are grand and colorful. Parties at hotels, clubs, and beaches are very common. Firecrackers light up the night sky, and vibrant lights illuminate the streets and bridges. Dhallywood celebrities and other famous personalities add to the liveliness with music, dance, and drama. Live concerts are broadcast on television, and it's not uncommon for weddings to take place in clubs on New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve in India is a dazzling blend of ancient traditions and modern celebrations. Metropolitan areas host grand parties, concerts, and spectacular fireworks. In places like Manali and Goa, winter festivities and beach parties draw crowds to celebrate under the starry sky.

In Japan, New Year's Eve is a sacred time dedicated to welcoming Toshigami (年神), the god of the New Year. Homes are adorned with Kadomatsu or Shimenawa and thoroughly cleaned. As midnight approaches, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times during the traditional Joya no Kane (除夜ぶ鐘) ceremony, symbolizing the elimination of 108 earthly desires. Fireworks, countdowns, and concerts add to the festive atmosphere in cities across Japan.

New Year's Eve in Pakistan features spectacular fireworks in major cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Concerts and musical nights are common, especially in urban areas, where young Pakistanis enjoy festivities like those around the globe.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, hosts one of the most extravagant and expensive fireworks displays on New Year's Eve, drawing global attention to its breathtaking show.

In Belgium, New Year's Eve, known as Saint Sylvester's Eve or Oudjaar, is marked by family gatherings called réveillons in the French-speaking regions. After a comedian recaps the year on TV, a musical or variety show heralds midnight. Belgians then kiss, exchange well wishes, and toast with champagne while lighting or watching fireworks.

Hungary celebrates Szilveszter with both vibrant street parties and intimate gatherings at home, especially in downtown Budapest. Firecrackers and fireworks are staples of the night, accompanied by the national anthem at midnight and traditional Hungarian feasts.

In Italy, wearing red pants is a quirky New Year's Eve tradition for good luck. Although dropping old objects from windows is a fading southern custom, dining with friends and family remains a cherished practice.

Swedes typically spend New Year's Eve with friends or family, enjoying a special three-course meal. The nation bursts into celebration with spectacular fireworks displays, particularly in urban centers. Champagne is sipped at midnight as the skies explode in color.

In England, the heart of New Year's Eve celebrations is in Central London. Big Ben's chimes ring in the New Year, accompanied by a stunning fireworks display launched from the iconic London Eye.

In the United States New Year's Eve is marked by numerous social events across the country, including concerts and grand fireworks displays, creating a kaleidoscope of celebrations from coast to coast.

Australian cities, especially Sydney, celebrate New Year's Eve with dazzling fireworks and festivities. Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks, held in the picturesque Sydney Harbour, are among the most famous and anticipated worldwide.

The way of celebration varies not only from country to country, but depending on religion too: Muslims offer a Munajat during the final Jumu'ah prayer of the year, seeking Allah’s blessings for a fruitful upcoming year. Hindus perform pujas for an auspicious start, while Christians attend night services, praying for blessings as they welcome the New Year.

And there you have it — a global tapestry of New Year's Eve celebrations, each with its unique charm and traditions. How does YOUR country celebrate it? I’d love to know about it.

Written by Marlee Potter.
Edited by Sara Rowan.
Proofread by Ellie Potter.