New Year Celebrations Around the World
The world is preparing to welcome the start of 2025, with celebrations kicking off in various parts of the globe on January 1. However, it's not just the Western world that marks the beginning of the new year on this day. Many cultures and religions have their own unique dates for the new year, which offers a rich tapestry of traditions and customs.
From the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year to the spiritual reflection of Rosh Hashanah, the start of a new year is a time for renewal and celebration. In Asia, the Seollal (Korean New Year) is a three-day celebration that emphasizes ancestral rituals, games, and family gatherings. Têt (Vietnamese New Year) coincides with Chinese New Year and is marked with colorful festivities and customs. Meanwhile, Nyepi (Balinese New Year) is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation in March, while the Spring Equinox marks the beginning of Spring and is celebrated with traditional food and community gatherings in some cultures.
In the Middle East and South Asia, Nowruz (Persian New Year) is celebrated on or around March 20, symbolizing renewal with home cleaning, visiting loved ones, and cultural festivities. Aluth Avurudda (Sinhala and Tamil New Year) is observed in April in Sri Lanka with traditional food, cultural ceremonies, and community celebrations. Baisakhi (Punjabi New Year) celebrates the harvest season in April with vibrant festivities and cultural events. Ugadi/Gudi Padwa marks the start of the new year in March or April in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Other notable new year celebrations include Puthandu (Tamil New Year), Bihu (Assamese New Year), Vishuva Sankranti (Odia New Year), and Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year). In the Jewish community, Rosh Hashanah is observed in September or October, while the Hijri New Year is marked with prayer and reflection. Diwali, celebrated in October or November, is also considered the Marwari and Gujarati New Year. The ancient Thai festival, Songkran, is celebrated in April with a water festival symbolizing purification and renewal.
In total, around 180 countries will celebrate the start of a new year on January 1, each with its unique traditions and customs. From the stunning fireworks displays in Sydney, Australia, to the Day of the Sun in North Korea, the world will come together to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with hope, renewal, and celebration.
