New Year's Day

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st. It is the first day of the year on the calendar that most people use. Many people stay up late the night before to watch the clock strike midnight. Families and friends gather to celebrate with food, music, and fireworks. It is a time to welcome a fresh start.

How People Celebrate

People celebrate New Year's Day in many fun ways. Some families watch parades on television, like the Rose Parade. Others eat special meals with loved ones. Many people make resolutions, which are promises to do better in the new year. Fireworks light up the sky in cities around the world.

Bright fireworks sparkle over a giant Ferris wheel on New Year's Eve.
Bright fireworks sparkle over a giant Ferris wheel on New Year's Eve. (Clarence Ji / Wikimedia Commons)

Around the World

New Year's Day is a holiday in almost every country. Different places have their own traditions. In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight for good luck. In the United States, a giant ball drops in New York City's Times Square. Some countries ring bells to welcome the new year.

Fun Facts

  • The ball drop in Times Square has happened since 1907.
  • Times Square's New Year's Eve party draws about a million visitors each year.
  • Many people sing a song called 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight.

Did You Know?

The ancient Romans were among the first to celebrate New Year's Day on January 1st, more than 2,000 years ago.