New Year’s Eve 2025: Top Activities, Celebrations Around the World, and Fun Facts
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- Category: Haute This Issue
- Published on Monday, 15 December 2025 13:05
- Written by A&E Contributing Editor
New Year's Eve is celebrated with excitement and hope throughout the world. People mark the end of one year and the beginning of another with various traditions, parties, and festivities. Here are some of the most popular activities.
A Global Look at How We Ring in the New Year
Firework Displays: Cities worldwide host spectacular firework shows at midnight, lighting up skies to welcome the new year.
Countdown Parties: Whether in bustling city squares, at home, or in clubs, countdown parties are a classic way to celebrate with friends and family as the clock strikes twelve.
Ball Drops: Inspired by New York City's Times Square, many places have adopted the tradition of lowering a ball or other symbolic object at midnight.
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Special Meals and Toasts: Sharing a festive meal and raising a glass of champagne or sparkling cider to "Auld Lang Syne" is a global tradition.
Music and Dancing: Live music, DJs, and dancing are staples of New Year's Eve, with many parties carrying on into the early morning.
Personal Reflections and Resolutions: Many people take time to reflect on the past year and set goals or resolutions for the year ahead.
Watching Special TV Programs: From countdown shows to concerts, televised events help bring people together for the festivities.
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Best New Year's Eve Celebrations Around the World
Each country brings its own flair to New Year's Eve, with unique customs and celebrations:
New York City, USA: The Times Square Ball Drop is an iconic event, drawing millions of viewers both in person and on TV. Live performances, confetti showers, and a countdown to midnight create an electric atmosphere.
London, England: Fireworks over the Thames and Big Ben's chimes mark the new year. Crowds gather along the riverbank, and the city's pubs and clubs host lively parties.
Sydney, Australia: Sydney's harbor fireworks are among the world's earliest and most spectacular, thanks to its time zone. The display is set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Copacabana Beach hosts two million revelers dressed in white for good luck. The festivities include concerts, fireworks, and offerings to the sea for prosperity.
Edinburgh, Scotland: Hogmanay is a multi-day festival featuring torchlight processions, street parties, and traditional Scottish music and dancing.
Tokyo, Japan: People visit temples to ring bells 108 times, symbolizing the removal of human sins. There are also lively street parties and fireworks.
Paris, France: The Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower become gathering points for fireworks, light shows, and champagne toasts.
Dubai, UAE: Known for extravagant fireworks and light shows at the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's New Year's Eve is luxurious and visually stunning.
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Fun Facts About Global New Year's Eve Celebrations
"Auld Lang Syne": The song commonly sung at midnight originates from a Scottish poem by Robert Burns and means "times long past."
Spanish Tradition: In Spain, it's customary to eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each stroke of the clock—to bring good luck for the coming year.
Red Underwear in Italy: Italians often wear red underwear on New Year's Eve to attract love and luck.
Broken Plates in Denmark: Danes throw dishes at friends' doors; the bigger the pile, the more luck you'll have.
Kissing at Midnight: In the U.S. and many other countries, it's believed that kissing someone at midnight ensures affection in the coming year.
First Footing in Scotland: The first person to enter a home after midnight—a "first-footer"—should bring gifts for luck.
Jumping Waves in Brazil: Brazilians jump seven waves at midnight on the beach, making wishes for each wave.
12 O'clock Bells in Japan: Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to cleanse people of evil passions.
Burning Effigies in Ecuador: Ecuadorians burn effigies ("Año Viejo") to symbolically get rid of the bad from the past year.
New Year's Eve is a time of joy, hope, and renewal across cultures. From fireworks to food, and from unique customs to grand parties, these celebrations reflect the diversity and spirit of people worldwide as they look forward to a prosperous new year.
