7 Wonderful New Year’s Eve Traditions Around the World

All over the world, people mark New Year’s Eve with their own traditions: eating lentils and grapes, dressing up as bears, throwing furniture out the window, and more. Explore all the ways people ring in the new year here.

December 30, 2020

By: Lucy Sherriff

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Europe & the United Kingdom

In Scotland, traditions abound at Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve. First-footing is the tradition practiced where people race to their families and friends to be the first person to cross the threshold in the new year — but they must bring gifts. In addition, when the clock chimes midnight, Scots join hands in a circle to sing Auld Lang Syne, the song which demands old friendships never be forgotten.

Over in Denmark, plates are smashed on friends’ doorsteps in order to bring good luck for the coming year; while in Spain, 12 grapes are eaten each time the clock chimes midnight to bring good luck for the next 12 months.

In Romania, children and adults alike dress up as bears to chase away bad spirits.

North America

In Hawaii, new beginnings are celebrated by the Makahiki Festival in October. The festival consists of three phases: purification and spiritual cleansing; hula dancing, feasting, singing, and athletic competitions; and honoring Lono the god of fertility, music, and rain. On December 22, the Hopi tribe holds the Soyal Ceremony to symbolize the dawn of life and the second phase of creation. The ceremony lasts up to nine days, with a huge feast to conclude the rituals. The Tewa Tribe, also in the American West, holds a turtle dance at the winter solstice, which marks the beginning of three celebrations to welcome in the new year.

In Canada, locals participate in the Polar Bear Swim, an icy dip in the waters of English Bay in Vancouver, which is meant to be cleansing for the mind and soul.

Africa

A bizarre tradition of tossing electrical appliances and home furniture from balconies takes place in Hillbrow, South Africa on New Year’s Eve. Some residents stockpile fridges and microwaves on the roofs of their high rise buildings to throw off when the clock strikes midnight.

In Kilifi, Kenya, a reggae music festival takes place in the coastal town, under 1,000-year-old baobab trees, and culminates in the burning of a giant sculpture.

Asia

In Japan, dried beans are scattered outside the house to drive evil spirits away and bells are rung 108 times in Buddhist temples, one for each bead on the rosary.

The Balinese observe a day of silence, although this year in Bali New Year’s Eve isn’t celebrated until March 14.

In Thailand, Laos, and other parts of Southeast Asia, the new year is marked between April 13 and 15, and in Thailand, is called Songkran. It’s a festival of purification and revolves around everyone carrying a jar of water, splashing others in order to give them blessings.

Oceania

It’s fireworks galore in Australia, when the Sydney Opera House is lit up and accompanied by music, parties, and drinking.

Kiribati and Samoa share the title of welcoming in the New Year first.

In Fiji, locals perform a traditional dance called ‘Meke’, while the country also hosts one of the largest street parties in the South Pacific - the Suva New Year Street Party, where residents of the capital party, set off fireworks, and dance to traditional Fijian music.

South America

In Chile, fire is used to dispose of negative vibes that individuals want to release in the new year. People write down things they’d like to change and burn it.

In other countries, such as Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Ecuador, effigies of politicians are burned in the streets.

In Uruguay, the Guerra de Sidra (the Cider War) festival is held to mark a tradition where water, or in this case, cider and beer as well, is thrown out a door or window to signify renewal. The liquid is supposed to represent a person’s tears and suffering.

Antarctica

On the seventh continent, New Year’s Eve is a rather more solemn affair. As the South Pole sits atop an ice sheet that shifts slightly with the passing of every year, those who work at the South Pole Station have to shift the location of the pole by around 30 feet, with a new marker being installed and flags rearranged around it.

But it’s not all work: at the US’ McMurdo Station, they hold an ‘Icestock’ Festival, where around a dozen artists play all day long, with a barbecue for the costume-wearing festival goers.