New Year's Day

New Year’s Day, observed on January 1, marks the beginning of the year in the Gregorian calendar. Around the world, people celebrate the occasion with countdowns, fireworks, and intentions for the year ahead.

Count down to the New Year

Is New Year’s Day a Public Holiday?

January 1 is a public holiday in many countries, meaning businesses, schools, and government offices are typically closed. Public transportation may operate on a holiday schedule. In some regions, celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve (December 31) and extend into January 1, and in some places—such as Scotland—festivities continue for several days after January 1.

Which country celebrates New Year first?

What Is New Year’s Day?

New Year’s Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, celebrated on January 1 in most of the world. It marks a symbolic fresh start, offering people a moment to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead.

While New Year’s Day falls on January 1 in many nations, some cultures observe their New Year celebrations based on lunar or solar calendars, such as the Lunar New Year, Islamic New Year (Muharram), and Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah).

How Do People Celebrate New Year’s Day?

Although customs vary, many cultures mark New Year’s with joyful celebrations, including:

• Firework displays and countdowns at midnight
• Family gatherings, parties, and shared meals
• Public events like parades and concerts
• Religious services or moments of reflection
• Making New Year’s resolutions to improve habits or goals
• Wishing friends and family a “Happy New Year”

In the US, the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City is one of the most iconic New Year’s Eve events, broadcast worldwide.

As midnight passes across the globe, celebrations unfold in succession through different time zones, uniting people in shared anticipation and joy.

Explore our interactive New Year’s Map

Traditions Around the World

Here are just a few examples of unique New Year customs.

• Spain: Eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock.
• Scotland: Celebrating Hogmanay, a New Year’s Eve festival followed by first-footing—the custom of welcoming the first guest after midnight to bring good luck.
• Japan: Ringing temple bells 108 times, a Buddhist ritual to cleanse earthly desires.
• Colombia: Carrying suitcases around the block to invite travel in the coming year.

These rituals reflect the widespread desire for renewal, luck, and prosperity.

Where Does New Year’s Day Come From?

The practice of celebrating the start of a new year dates back thousands of years. The Romans began marking January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, aligning it with the inauguration of new consuls. The month of January was named for Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, and transitions—often depicted with two faces, looking both forward and backward.

The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE, cemented January 1 as the start of the year. However, during the Middle Ages, many Christian nations marked the new year on other dates, such as March 25 (the feast of the Annunciation). It wasn’t until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 that January 1 gradually returned as the official start of the year across much of Europe.

Although the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, more than three centuries passed before it was adopted in most countries worldwide. It was not adopted until 1752 in the British Empire, which at the time included the countries we know today as the United States of America and Canada.

It is important to note that not all cultures observe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day according to the Gregorian calendar. For example, the New Year in the Hindu, Chinese, Coptic, Jewish, and Islamic calendars, among many others, occurs on different dates and reflects unique cultural or religious traditions.

Symbols and Superstitions

Common symbols include clocks, calendars, and fireworks (used in some traditions to ward off evil spirits). Some people avoid cleaning, laundry, or sweeping on January 1, believing it may “wash away” good fortune.