Here in the United States, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are major celebrations for us. They mark the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. In other countries too, people celebrate the New Year but in rather different ways. Did you know that in some areas, the New Year is actually celebrated at different times of the year? Despite these differences, surprisingly, there are also many similarities in New Year’s customs across vastly different cultures. Let’s read some more about different ways of celebrating New Year’s Day in other places.

Jewish New Year

The Jewish New Year is known as Rosh Hashanah. It is an extremely holy day for Jews, which takes place in September or October. On this day, they mainly eat sweet foods as a symbol of wanting a new year that is full of sweetness. Another tradition is called tashlikh, where people throw a few crumbs into a river to represent casting away any sins of the previous year.

• An Introduction to Rosh Hashanah
• What Happens on Rosh Hashanah?

Vietnamese Tet

The Vietnamese word for New Year is Tet. It is celebrated for a full week, usually around the end of January or the beginning of February. To prepare for this important celebration, Vietnamese families clean their homes and even re-paint them, and buy new clothes. They celebrate with fireworks, loud gongs and music, gifts, and prayer.

• Learn About the Vietnamese New Year
• A Photographic Guide to Vietnamese Tet

Scottish New Year

The Scots use the ancient word, Hogmanay, to mean New Year’s Eve and Day. On the evening before, they have a special feast with sweet breads or biscuits and wine. The Scots also clean their homes to get rid of dirt and also to ward off bad spirits. On New Year’s Day, they visit friends and family and have a large festive meal. In the morning, children go around to sing songs for the neighbors, and receive money or sweet treats in return!

• What Do Scots Do for New Year?

Persian New Year

In Iran, New Year is called Noruz. The Iranians celebrate it on the day of the Spring Equinox, which is usually on or close to March 21. A major part of this celebration is a table of seven foods that each start with the letter cinn, or S in English. Each of these foods are representative of different good wishes for the new year.

• Symbolic Elements of Noruz
• Noruz Food, Music, and Traditions

Chinese New Year

The New Year celebration, or Spring Festival as it is called, is one of biggest holidays in China. As in other cultures, it involves a full cleaning of the house. The Chinese also hang up plenty of paper decorations that are colored red for good luck. On the evening before, they have a great family feast and light fireworks afterwards. The next day they exchange gifts; children usually receive red envelopes of money.

• A Slideshow on Chinese New Year (PPT)

Japanese New Year

In Japan too, New Year or Shogatsu, is a major holiday. The night before, people go to the temple to worship and pray that the following year will be happy and prosperous. Special food that has been prepared in advance is used for the main meal. On New Year’s morning, people go to the houses of family members and friends to celebrate and exchange gifts.

• Shogatsu in Japan
• Japanese New Year Celebrations

American New Year

In North America, the New Year is celebrated with plenty of fanfare. It is usually customary to have a festive dinner with family or close friends on New Year’s Eve. Following this, people usually attend a loud, boisterous party. Everyone counts down at midnight. On the stroke of twelve, people wish each other a Happy New Year and adults toast with champagne. The next day is usually a bit quieter and might be celebrated with a visit to church and a special family meal.

• U.S. New Year Traditions
• American New Year Customs and Food

Islamic New Year

In most Islamic countries, the New Year celebration (called Al-Hijra) is much more low-key. Muslims do not celebrate the New Year much. However, they might mark it by setting some New Year Resolutions for themselves. This does vary by region though; for example, in Egypt, New Year is far more festive and loud!

• Islamic New Year in Egypt
• Traditions of Al-Hijra

Austrian New Year

New Year in Austria is called Sylvesterabend. It is named after Saint Sylvester. According to myths, he slew an enormous dragon. At this time of the year, people celebrate with champagne toasts, decorations in homes, and confetti at parties. They go to church at midnight to give thanks and pray. Large cities also have a fireworks display and a major concert.

• New Years in Austria
• The Legend of Sylvesterabend

Hispanic New Year

Hispanic New Year’s celebrations vary by country. In Spain it is known as Nochevieja. People wait to hear the church chimes in the public square, and at midnight they each eat twelve grapes to symbolize each chime. On the other hand, in Mexico, people light a colored candle, with the color symbolizing what they hope for in the New Year.

• Traditions of Nochevieja

Additional Resources

• International New Year Celebrations Lesson Plan
• How to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions
• New Years Resolutions for Kids
• New Year’s Day Activity Sheets for Kids
• Download a New Year’s Coloring Page
• What is New Year’s Day About?
• Watch a Movie about New Year Customs

By: Zoe Stauss