New Year's Celebrations Around The World

January 1^st is the New Year,  according to the Gregorian Calendar. For many people, it is a day for family, parties, or rest.

For Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar, the New Year is celebrated on January 14, and is a holy day.

Under the old Roman calendar, New Year's was March 1. In the year 153 B.C., New Year's day was fixed at January 1. But in 525 A.D., Dionysius Exiguus set New Year's as March 25, to commemorate the annunciation of Jesus.

7^th century Druids in Flanders and the Nederlands exchanged gifts during the New Year, based on early Pagan customs. The writer Saint Elgius warned in early 6^th century not to make vetulas (figures of Old Women), or set tables for the house-elf (Puck) or exchange gifts on New Year's or drink beverages.

In 1582, the Gregorian calendar was adopted, and is the calendar used throughout the Western world; indeed, it has been adopted by much of the industrialized world.

January 1^st is also known the Feast of the Circumcision, being the 8^th day after December 25^th.  For Catholics and Prayer Book Anglicans (Episcopalians), celebrants must attend Mass on January 1^st, being the first day that Christ spilled his blood, according to Jewish Law. Orthodox Christians celebrated the Old Style Circumcision on January 14^th, in the 10^th and 11^th centuries.

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Common events held on New Year's Day:

In the US, the Rose Bowl football game garners attendance from a wide TV audience.

In Vienna, the Vienna Philharmonic Symphony holds a special New Year's concert.

Polar Bear Clubs exist in many cities in the Northern Hemisphere. In Boston, men from "L" street in South Boston, known as the "L Street Brownies", jump into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean, from Carson Beach, South Boston. 

God Bless them, one and all. I would never do this.

In New York, the Coney Island Polar Bears Club claims to be the oldest cold-water swimming club in the US, having been in existence since 1903.  But the Boston-based "L Street Brownies page claims it is the oldest Polar Bear Club in the US.

In Philadelphia, the Mummers Parade has been in existence since 1901. This tradition of dressing in costume stems from early Mumming plays in England and Sweden, when citizens shot guns at midnight to welcome the New Year.

A short verse often accompanied the gunfire:

Here we stand at your door,
As we did the year before.
Give us whiskey, give us gin,
Open the door and let us in!
Or give us something nice and hot
Like a steaming hot bowl of pepper pot! (A Philadelphia soup)

Sydney boasts the world's largest fireworks display, being the first developed nation to celebrate New Year's Eve.

In Times Square, the 1,070 pound, Waterford Crystal ball is lowered from the tower, at 11:59 p.m.  Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro and Sydney Harbor also host ball drops.

In Atlanta, a giant Peach ball is dropped, much in the same style as the Times Square ball is dropped.

In many European countries, fireworks and bonfires greet the New Year, being a night to throw out and burn the Christmas Tree.

Canada celebrates the Levee, hosted by  the Governor General of Canada.

In Russia, celebrants set off fireworks and drink champagne at a family celebration. The president of Russia is usually called upon to count down the seconds of the "old year" before the clock chimes in the New Year.  Russians make a wish with each chime of the clock.

In South Korea, people travel to the most Eastern point, where they can be among the fist to see the sun rise.

In Naussau, Bahamas, a street parade known as Junkanoo is held on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. During this parade, groups of costumed people dance from midnight until dawn to the music of cowbells and compete for cash prizes. The James Bond film "Thunderball" included a specially made Junkanoo parade in the film.

In Scotland, Hogmanay is celebrated on December 31st, and is regarded as the origin of the song we know now of "Auld Lang Syne."  Hogmanay originated during the Pagan rituals of the winter solstice, celebrating great merriment of food and drink during the 12 Days of Christmas (between December 25^th and January 6^th).

The Vikings celebrated  Yule during this time, and Scotland knew this time as Daft Days. This winter festival was celebrated until the 15^th century, and did not re-emerge until the end of the 17^th century.

These gifts were meant to bring good luck to the household, and was regarded as bringing good luck for the entire year.

The Scottish custom of fireball swinging also originated during Hogmanay. In this custom, flammable balls of chicken wire, tar and paper were made and then attached to a non-flammable rope or wire. 

These were then set fire, whereby men would swing these around their heads while walking through village streets.  Fireballs still burning would then be cast into the harbor.

Before 1873, Japan celebrated the New Year  according to the Chinese calendar that Korea, China and Vietnam use, pegging the New Year as the beginning of Spring. After 1873, Japan celebrated the New Year on January 1^st.  Specific soups, fish, rice and dumpling dishes are served on New Year's.

In Switzerland, the final match of the Spengler Cup Ice Hockey Tournament is held on January 1^st. The Spengler Cup is the second oldest ice hockey tournament in the world, after the Canadian Stanley Cup.