United States of America

• The United States celebrates their arrival to the new year with a yearly bang, or drop of the ball. The New York Ball Drop has been an end of year tradition since 1907, a massive constructed ball put atop the iconic Times Square section of New York. While the construction of the device began in 1904, it’s legacy would begin 3 years later and it’s an event that millions watch yearly to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. 

Australia 

• From the land of Down Under, the tradition for the New Year isn’t too different to other countries. While they don’t have a massive ball to drop, Australia does begin the new year with a bang of fireworks as a way to welcome a brand new year.

United Kingdom

•  As the United States celebrates with a ball drop and Australia celebrates with fireworks, the United Kingdom celebrates the welcoming of a new year with the singing of the Auld Lang Syne tune. Within the UK, countries such as Scotland and other UK nations have a superstition known as “first footing.” 

South America 

• Within the continent of South America, many of the countries within it have their own traditions the countries celebrate when the new year comes. Some of the more common traditions involve the eating of 12 Grapes, as to represent the 12 months of the New Year and the use of fire. Though it’s use has different meanings in different parts of South America, some use it to burn the bad experiences away with different objects.

Japan

• Compared to the rest of the countries, Japan’s New Year traditions are quite different as one of them takes place a few days before the New Year or New Year’s eve. Deep Cleaning or Oosouji, is the act of cleaning the home days before the new year, as it’s a way to say goodbye to the essence of the previous year as the new one arrives. Another, more personal tradition is the act of visiting a shrine on one of the first 3 days of the New Year, known as Hatsumode. This is for people to be able to pray for a healthy, happy and great new year.

India

• As India celebrates the New Year very similarly to other countries, regions of the country have their own traditions and symbolism to the arrival of the New Year. Regions of the country such as Punjabi and West Bengal celebrate the New Year due to their lands being important to farmers, as the lands are rich and fertile for farming and it also begins the farming season. This is specific to the Punjabi region of India.

China

• A radically different New Year celebration compared to the rest of the world, the Chinese New Year takes place in February of the next year instead of the 1st of January. This is due to China following the Lunisolar Calendar instead of the Gregorian Calendar. As well, traditions such as Yuan Xiao Jie (The Festival of Lanterns) and Jie Cai Ceng (The Welcoming of the Gods’ wealth and prosperity) are done to wish themselves and many other people a good, prosperous year or to entertain fellow new year celebrators.