Top 15 Customs of Celebrating New Year's Day in Europe and the Americas

The United Kingdom, with its long-standing history and current status as a powerhouse, boasts diverse customs and cultural traits, harboring many intriguing aspects. Moreover, travelers exploring the UK can discover numerous unique points in its festivals. Perhaps the most notable are the New Year customs of the British people. In the UK, during the meaningful transition between the old and new years, everyone gathers in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. These are two special landmarks of the UK as they broadcast special announcements about the moment of transition between the old and new year. People stand at these two places to hear the chimes of the Big Ben clock tower, also known as Elizabeth Tower, in the capital and most famous tourist city, London.

For a long time, standing together and holding hands to sing the song Auld Lang Syne has become a tradition of the British people to welcome the new year. This is a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, which has been set to music as a traditional song. Currently, the song is known in many English-speaking countries and beyond. The singing of the song Auld Lang Syne is often heard at the moment of midnight on New Year's Eve to start a successful new year. Whether you choose a tour of the UK or independent travel during the New Year, don't miss this great opportunity. In the UK, on New Year's Eve, people often gather in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus or in places where they can hear the chimes of the Big Ben clock tower. Because according to the belief of the British people, the one who first scoops water will be lucky throughout the year.

New Year's celebrations in Germany last for a week. Fifteen minutes before midnight, everyone sits quietly, and when the clock strikes, they all jump up from their seats and throw a heavy object behind them, symbolizing casting away all difficulties and misfortunes to step into the new year. Children gather into music groups with harmonicas and flutes, creating a lively atmosphere on the streets. Adults carry brightly colored flags and sing songs to welcome the new year. In rural Germany, an ancient tradition is preserved, called 'tree climbing.' Young men compete to climb a smooth, shiny tree, and the best climber is considered the 'new year hero.'

On New Year's Eve in Germany, each household typically places a plate with 12 onions on the table. The onions are hollowed out and filled with salt. Each onion is named for each month of the year. In the old rural areas of Eastern Germany, people also have the tradition of pouring hot lead onto a spoon and then throwing it into water, and then scooping up the lead. Based on the shape of the lead, people predict whether the year will be prosperous or not. In Germany, people drop a molten metal droplet into cold water and predict what will happen in the new year based on its shape. If it's in the shape of a heart or a ring, it signifies joyful news about marriage, while a boat shape suggests travel, and a pig shape means enjoying delicious food. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, Germans embrace and exchange warm kisses, wishing each other a peaceful new year with the words 'Gutes Neues Jahr' or 'Happy New Year.' Then, families gather together for sumptuous feasts with plenty of food and watch special television programs.

One of the essential customs on New Year's Eve in Italy is eating grapes, cakes, and organizing many celebrations before heading out with the belief that meeting an old or hunched person will bring luck for the whole year, whereas encountering children or monks will bring misfortune! When wishing each other a Happy New Year, it's often accompanied by a song, a New Year's chant. The weather during the first 12 days of the year is believed to correspond to the weather of the 12 months ahead. On the first day of the new year, Italians take turns jumping into the Tiber River from the Cavour Bridge with the belief that this action brings luck and success to everyone in the new year. This tradition dates back to 1946.

In Rome, the city's population gathers in Piazza del Popolo. They celebrate the festival with lively rock and pop music, dancing, and of course, fireworks. The festival continues energetically into the night. Near the Santa Maria del Popolo church, there are displays of traditional scenes from the Bible lasting until January 8th of the new year, featuring art from 100 regions across Italy and other countries worldwide. In Venice, many restaurants start their celebrations from 9 a.m. and continue until midnight. However, some restaurants close on New Year's, especially those serving pizza or Chinese food, while hotel restaurants remain open as usual. A grand festival is held at St. Mark's Square with music performances and magnificent fireworks. On New Year's Day, many people enjoy bathing in cold water at Lido Beach, a way to rid themselves of any misfortunes from the past year.

On New Year's Eve, the French toast with wine, and the festivities last until January 3rd. On the morning of the 1st day, everyone checks the wind direction. If it's from the South, the year will be peaceful with favorable weather; if it's from the West, it signifies a prosperous year for fishing and dairy farming; if it's from the East, it indicates a good fruit harvest; and if it's from the North, it suggests a year of crop failure. In the capital city of Paris, meeting one or three sailors on the first outing of the new year brings luck for the whole year. Wine is an indispensable drink in the early days of the new year. The French traditionally predict the weather for the new year through slices of onions soaked in vinegar. In addition, on the morning of the 1st, the French often gather to observe the wind direction. If it's from the South, the year will have favorable weather; if it's from the West, it's a lucky year for fishermen and dairy farmers; if it's from the East, it's a fruitful year for fruits, and if it's from the North, it indicates a year of crop failure. In the eastern region, at midnight on New Year's Eve, people will hold gold coins in their mouths to pray for prosperity and wealth. In the western region, young men and women go into the forest together to find a mistletoe tree from late afternoon on the last day of the year. The first person to find and bring it back will be crowned the 'Mistletoe King', with the privilege of kissing beautiful girls passing by their house all day on the 1st. In the capital city of Paris, meeting one or three sailors on the first outing of the new year brings luck for the whole year.

Similar to other countries around the world, people in the United States also celebrate the New Year in a joyful and festive atmosphere. On New Year's Eve, everyone usually gathers at Times Square, counting down together and welcoming the first moment of the new year. As the clock strikes midnight, a large glass ball is slowly lowered along with thousands of colorful confetti pieces. When the ball touches the ground, it's the moment when Americans cheer HAPPY NEW YEAR, exchanging their best wishes and releasing confetti into the sky, hoping for good things in the coming year.

Entering the first days of the new year, life in the United States becomes quieter. Government offices, agencies, and schools are closed for the holiday, and Americans spend most of their time with family, visiting friends, or hosting home gatherings. During the New Year period, Americans have a tradition of eating cabbage in hopes of encountering good luck. Additionally, Americans have a unique tradition for welcoming the new year; singles hoping to meet their significant other dress in yellow attire, while those hoping for financial prosperity in the new year choose silver attire.

One intriguing and somewhat peculiar activity to mention on New Year's Day in Canada is the tradition of polar bear plunging in freezing temperatures. While in Vietnam, unique New Year's customs may include husband-stealing rituals (in the Central Highlands), stealing luck on New Year's Eve (among the Lo Lo people), or soul calling ceremonies (among the Thai ethnic group), in Canada, on the first day of the new year, everyone regardless of gender and age wears swimsuits and plunges into icy waters to welcome a peaceful and happy new year. With the frigid winter temperatures, just the thought of diving into the cold water is frightening, isn't it?

Another tradition during the New Year period in Canada is building snow around the house, a practice many are familiar with. Every New Year's, Canadians often build snowbanks around their homes. Unlike in Vietnam where people erect bamboo poles to ward off evil spirits, Canadians believe that snowbanks have the ability to keep demons from causing harm, ensuring a peaceful new year. Canada is undoubtedly a wonderful country with many interesting aspects, especially if you ever get the chance to visit. New Year's festivities are always joyous occasions with many fascinating customs. Despite the diverse New Year customs in Canada, Canadians always hope for a peaceful and happy new year like people in other countries around the world.

As the first chime of the new year rings, all the people of Spain simultaneously pop the first grape into their mouths. It's quite a challenge to chew or savor its taste because just 2 seconds later comes the second chime and the second grape. Throughout the 12 chimes are the “12 lucky grapes.” If you can eat all 12 grapes continuously by the final chime, you will have good luck in the new year. Although the exact origin of this tradition is unknown, many believe it dates back to the 1880s. The upper class in Madrid eat grapes and drink champagne on the last day of the year similar to the French. And some people in Madrid come to Puerta del Sol to hear the bells tolling before the new year, also mimicking the upper class by eating grapes with a mocking and sarcastic attitude.

Not only do they chew hurriedly on grapes at midnight, they also wear red underwear like panties, bras, or even red socks. The most interesting part is that this item must be received from someone else. Besides the two aforementioned customs, don't forget the equally enticing third custom when you come here: Dropping a gold ring into a glass of celebratory cava or sparkling wine. But remember not to drink it all, or it will bring bad luck. When the clock strikes 12 hours and the last grapes are gone, it's time for everyone to kiss each other on the cheeks, toasting with glasses of cava and eating turrón cakes.

During the moment of welcoming the new year, Mexicans often gather with family and friends. On New Year's Eve (December 31st), people in this country have special customs like gathering with family, relatives, and friends, turning on the TV to wait for the clock to strike 12, with each stroke representing one hour. Every time the bell rings, people eat a grape, symbolizing one of the 12 months of the year and make a wish, then everyone hugs and wishes each other a happy new year. Also on New Year's Eve, some people, especially women, wear red underwear with the hope of finding love in the new year. Additionally, some people will walk around the house with a suitcase hoping to travel abroad next year.

On January 6th, according to tradition, Mexicans will eat a cake with a small hole carved out and place a toy inside. Whoever eats the piece of cake with that toy has to prepare a special meal on February 5th to treat everyone. In addition, in the last feast of the year, black beans are indispensable for Mexicans as they consider black beans a national dish. Furthermore, in Mexico, there is a rather scary custom, talking to ghosts. This is a part of the people's beliefs, they believe they can talk to deceased relatives. At the beginning of the new year, Mexicans spend 15 minutes to commemorate, ask questions, and ask the deceased for guidance for the new year.

In Denmark, there's an interesting tradition for the new year. It involves neighbors visiting each other, standing in front of the house, and throwing plates. The more plates broken, the more luck in the new year, indicating they have more close friends. In some countries, broken plates on New Year's are considered unlucky, but for the Danish, it's quite the opposite, bringing luck. Throughout the year, unused old plates are kept. On New Year's Eve, they visit relatives, beloved neighbors, and throw plates into their houses. The more broken plates a house has, the luckier it will be in the new year, and the more plates you throw into someone's house, the closer you are to the homeowner.

Instead of indulging in meat and wine feasts, Danes highly value green vegetables like curly kale, spinach... They believe that the green color of these vegetables resembles the color of their currency, bringing luck, abundance, and prosperity for a safe new year. Danes often mix these vegetables with other foods to create wonderful dishes with a refreshing and nutritious vegetable taste. Especially, they often steam green vegetables with sugar and cinnamon, a must-have dish for Danes on New Year's.

New Year is a significant event in Colombia. People of all religions and races celebrate the new year in an atmosphere of joy. It's also a time for Colombians to showcase to the world their rich customs, traditions, and diverse culture. A common tradition during the New Year in Colombia is gathering together at midnight and congratulating each other. Colombians have a tradition of welcoming the new year by 'burning' the old one. This tradition involves the whole family. Burning the 'Old Man' is a traditional custom of the Colombian people on New Year's. Everyone in the family makes a large effigy called the 'Old Man.' Then they stuff it with unnecessary items, especially things that may evoke sad memories from the past year. Everything will be burned at midnight.

This tradition symbolizes the desire to rid themselves of the unpleasant events of the past year and welcome the new year optimistically. At the transition from the old year to the new year, people in this South American country often put jewelry into their drink before drinking to toast the new year with hopes that the next year will be prosperous and abundant. Additionally, people often stuff dolls with things they no longer want to use, items that bring pain or evoke unhappiness. Everything will be burned along with the old year, meaning they want to forget the undesirable things that happened. Typically, the doll is dressed in the old clothes of family members.

New Year's Day is one of the grand celebrations for the people of Argentina. On New Year's Eve, families in Argentina often gather together to enjoy a special feast around 11 p.m. and await the moment of transition to the new year. As midnight approaches, fireworks light up the sky for about 30 minutes or less. Afterwards, young people attend New Year's parties at dance clubs until the early hours of the next day. On January 1st of the new year, most people go swimming in rivers, lakes, or swimming pools. Water is considered the purest of all elements by Argentinians. Therefore, on the Gregorian New Year's Day, people of all ages flock to the riverside to 'bathe in celebration of the new year.'

Before entering the water, fresh flower petals are scattered on the surface of the river. Then, everyone laughs joyfully and dives into the river to bathe. They use the fresh flower petals to rub against their bodies to cleanse away the impurities and negativity of the past year and to wish for blessings in the new year. As midnight approaches, fireworks light up the sky for about half an hour or less. Afterwards, young people attend New Year's parties at dance clubs until the early hours of the next day. On January 1st of the new year, most people go swimming in rivers, lakes, or swimming pools.

Belgium has seen robust developments in arts and culture, exerting significant influence on European art and culture despite political and linguistic divisions. Presently, cultural activities are often concentrated within language communities, with numerous barriers limiting the expression of a shared cultural space. Since the 1970s, Belgium's New Year's culture has resembled that of most countries in the region and continent. New Year's marks an important moment for this nation, where they have solemn gatherings and unique New Year's customs.

New Year's Eve in Belgium is known as Sint Sylvester Vooranvond or Saint Sylvester's Eve. Belgians host family gatherings on New Year's Eve. At midnight, people kiss each other, exchange lucky cards, and children, in particular, purchase colorful sheets of paper to write New Year's wishes for their biological and adoptive parents, which they read aloud on the morning of New Year's Day. Especially in rural areas of Belgium, an interesting tradition is maintained: 'New Year's wishes for pets.' On the early morning of the Gregorian New Year's Day, the first thing people do is visit their pets such as cows, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, and pretend to convey the message: 'Happy New Year!'

On New Year's Eve, throughout cities across Brazil, celebrations are held. Especially in the capital Rio de Janeiro, people gather on the beach to watch fireworks. It is customary for people to wear white clothes in hopes of good luck in the new year. New Year's celebrations are often steeped in tradition but have now become grand spectacles for both tourists and locals. Preparation for the New Year's feast usually begins on the morning of December 31st of the old year, and by midnight, fireworks start to light up the sky.

The light show lasts for about 30 minutes, during which people pray for wishes for the new year such as wealth, love, and health. If near the beach, after midnight, people often jump seven waves and throw flowers into the sea while making wishes. Additionally, some people light candles on the beach. Brazilians have a tradition of wearing white clothes because they believe that the color white will bring good luck in the new year. On the Gregorian New Year's Day, people, armed with torches, climb up high mountains. They compete to find golden passion fruits, a fruit symbolizing happiness. Only those who are not afraid of danger and hardship can find this rare and precious fruit. They call this the 'search for happiness.'

Welcoming the new year is the most special time of the year for most countries around the world. Each country, each region has its own unique customs and cultural traits when celebrating New Year's Eve. Although customs vary from place to place, all the strange rituals share a common purpose, which is to wish for a new year filled with luck, happiness, and peace for everyone. The land of Venezuela also welcomes the new year with joy and happiness like many other countries around the world.

Similar to some European countries, the people of Venezuela have a tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year's Eve in hopes of a joyful and peaceful new year. During this transition moment, Venezuelan families always gather around a large table with traditional dishes and bottles of sparkling wine. Another tradition of this South American country on New Year's Day is that people often wear golden underwear, and some also write down their wishes for the new year on a piece of paper and burn it. They believe that by doing so, their dreams will come true next year.

On the first day of the new year, tens of thousands of people from the Netherlands as well as many countries around the world still flock there despite the bone-chilling cold of the cold sea, they plunge into the icy waters. This daring act, which seems to defy logic, never fails to amaze people worldwide whenever they witness it. However, for those who love this tradition, braving the cold under the sea is the ultimate desire on the first day of the new year. According to the belief of the people of this country, the more they dive in the minutes near midnight, the more luck they will receive in the new year. This country of windmills has up to 60 beaches, and the Scheveningen sea area is the most crowded destination on New Year's Eve.

In addition, this tradition is not only aimed at seeking luck for oneself in the new year but the people of the Netherlands, like those in other countries around the world, also aim for another humanitarian activity, which is donating money to charity for poor children. In the Netherlands, in areas with many people coming to swim and dive on the first day of the new year, the local authorities organize ticket sales. To be able to stand on the beach, everyone has to buy a ticket for 3 euros. Whether participating in swimming in the cold water or simply standing and taking photos, everyone has to buy a ticket. And all the money collected will go to charity.