About Us
In America, New Year’s Eve typically conjures images of beautiful fireworks, of elegant folk drinking champagne, and the ball dropping in Times Square. Here’s how other countries around the world celebrate the New Year in their own, sometimes quirky ways.
Photo courtesy of Anthony Winning/ Wikimedia Commons
Australia
Sydney has one of the most spectacular fireworks shows in the whole world—seven tons of fireworks are shot up in the air and 52 illuminated boats in the harbor light up the city. Many Aussies also celebrate with a day at the beach where some run into the Atlantic Ocean.
Courtesy of Jack Parkinson/ Wikimedia Commons
China
The custom in China is to clean out one’s house before the New Year to rid oneself of all bad luck.
Courtesy of Bryanmackinnon/ Wikimedia Commons
Japan
People generally gather around the Zojoji Temple in Japan to release wish filled helium balloons. In addition, food is important to the Japanese celebration. People feast on an array of fish cakes, sweetened black soy beans and simmered burdock root.
Courtesy of Chris Sherlock/ Wikimedia Commons
Scotland
“Hogmanay” or the last day of the year is celebrated with a bang. People in Edinburgh like to party; its streets are filled with concerts, a torchlight procession and the world famous, family-friendly street party on Princes Street. At midnight, a cannon is fired from the Edinburgh Castle to kick off a beautiful fireworks display. Scottish people also practice the “first-footing,” where a friend or neighbor enters a home to offer a gift to bring luck in the New Year.
Courtesy of AndreHuppertz/ Wikimedia Commons
Germany
A German custom is to touch a chimney sweep or to rub some ashes on your forehead for health and luck. Germans also practice molybdomancy, when molten lead or tin is dropped into water and the shape that forms is used to predict the future.
Courtesy of Nihko/ Wikimedia Commons
Mexico
In addition to eating grapes, people in Mexico prepare for the New Year by decorating their homes with different colors for what they want for their new year: red for love, yellow for employment, and green for money. Mexicans eat foods such as Rosca de Reyes or Mexican sweet breads that are baked with a coin or charm for luck inside.
Courtesy of Alex Rio Brazil/ Wikimedia Commons
Brazil
Brazilians usher in the New Year by jumping into waves, dressing in white, eating lentil soup, and handing out money.
Courtesy of Carlos Adampol Galindo/ Wikimedia Commons
Ecuador
In perhaps one of the most eccentric traditions, men in Ecuador like to dress in women’s clothing as a way to show the “widow” of the past year. Ecuadorians also tend to burn life-sized dummies to rid themselves of the unfortunate moments of the last year.
School, major and year: A&S, English major and French minor, 2015
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
Favorite Beyonce lyric: "A diva is a female version of a hustla"
