Not all places in the world celebrate the end of the year on December 31. Here’s a few other celebrations to bring in the New Year.
LUNAR NEW YEAR
Lunar New Year is typically celebrated in China, South Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries. The festivities begin with the first new moon and end with the first full moon 15 days later based on the lunar calendar. Since this changes each year, it usually kicks off between January 21 and February 20 of the Western calendar.
Before Lunar New Year, houses are cleaned to remove bad luck, while family gatherings, dragon dances and fireworks are typical during the celebrations. It culminates with the Lantern Festival, where colorful lanterns are hung and traditional foods are eaten.
NOWRUZ
Nowruz marks the new year for over 300 million people worldwide and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years.
It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, marking the first day of Spring. The word itself means “new day” in Persian.
It is the most important celebration of the year in Iran and it is also celebrated in the Middle East, central Asia, the Balkans, and beyond.
MUHARRAM
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic New Year. The word means forbidden, in reference to war being forbidden during this month.
The exact date changes every year based on the moon, as it is a lunar calendar. This year, it’s expected to fall on Friday, June 27.
ROSH HASHANA
This two-day celebration welcomes the religious Jewish New Year.
Also called the Day of Judgement, this annual celebration calls for Jews to reflect on their relationship with God.
SONGKRAN
In Thailand, Songkran signifies the sun’s passing from the last Zodiac sign (Pisces) to the first (Aries) in mid-April.
The use of water – symbolizing purification and good fortune – is common during this festival, where people often throw water on each other.
The show has begun in New York’s Times Square
Why do we kiss at New Year?💋
That New Year’s Eve kiss carries traditions and superstitions.
Some say that if you don’t kiss your significant other when the clock strikes midnight, then the relationship will be doomed. Others say that no kiss on New Year’s means you’ll be alone all year.
So where does this tradition of kissing on New Year’s Eve come from?
It’s hard to know for certain, but some say the roots might be German traditions. Here’s The New York Times in 1863, talking about celebrations among Germans in the U.S.
“As the clocks ring out the hour of midnight, all this festivity pauses for a moment, to listen, and as the last stroke dies into silence, all big and little, old and young, male and female, push into each other’s arms, and hearty kisses go round like rolls of labial musketry, with the exclamation ‘Prost’s Neujahr!’ (Hail the New-Year!)”
Others say it’s older still, inspired by the ancient Roman celebrations of “Saturnalia,” held annually during the winter solstice. Wine and partying was abundant, and therefore – presumably – lots of kissing!
Meanwhile an ancient fire ritual from northern England – today, and 90 years ago
According to local publication This Is Northumberland, the celebration’s exact origins remain a mystery, with some saying it traces back to pagan burning of effigies to keep evil spirits away during the Middle Ages.
Custom goes, 45 men carry burning barrels filled with tar, sawdust, kindling and paraffin. The result is a both mesmerizing and unconventional New Year’s Eve. Here’s our photographs from Allendale.
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Fireworks from around Europe
LONDON
DUBAI
BRAZIL-RIO
