New Year’s Eve traditions around the world

People all around the world will ring in 2023 this weekend, which means partaking in their own unique traditions. Here is a glimpse of how citizens of various countries celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. 

Brazil 

On NYE, Brazilians can be seen dressed in white attire to symbolize luck and prosperity in the new year. This tradition came from the Candomblé religion, where people would wear white during rituals seeking peace and spiritual purification. This is followed by a trip to the beach where individuals jump through seven waves. The person who jumps the seven waves will receive spiritual cleansing and strength to overcome obstacles in the coming year. 

Canada 

While many people spend the evening at bars and parties, residents of more rural areas in Quebec spend the night ice fishing with groups of friends.

A Canadian New Year’s Day tradition involves plunging into icy cold waters in the name of charity. The polar bear swim started back in the early 1900s in Vancouver and has now become a tradition across the country. 

Denmark 

In Denmark, it’s traditional to throw old plates and other dishes at friends’ and neighbors’ front doors on New Year’s Eve. The more that accumulates on the doorstep, the better luck you will have in the new year.

Danish citizens also participate in what is called hoppe ind i det nye år or in English, “to jump or leap into the new year.” This involves jumping on furniture. The proper tradition is to climb up on a chair just as the year is drawing to a close and then jump down off of it at the stroke of midnight.  

France 

Although celebrating very similarly to the United States, France does have some unique traditions for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Residents of all ages in France brave the freezing ocean for a dip or un bain des givrés. One of the most popular beaches for this communal swim is that at Malo-les-Bains in Dunkirk. When the clock strikes midnight on NYE, it is tradition for citizens to kiss under the mistletoe.  

Greece 

In Greece, families hang pomegranates on their doors. At midnight the family moves away from the house and after midnight one lucky member, usually, a child, re-enters the house stepping in with their right foot. It is believed that the first person to step foot inside the house will bring good luck to everyone in the house. Another family member smashes the pomegranate. Tradition says that the more seeds that fall on the ground, the more fortune and luck will enter the house.  

Haiti 

Besides the new year, the people of Haiti have another reason to celebrate. January 1^st is Haitian Independence Day, which commemorates Haiti’s declaration of independence from French colonial rule on January 1, 1804.

To celebrate, citizens eat joumou soup – a mix of squash, beef, potatoes, and vegetables – which represents freedom to Haitians. 

Ireland 

Banging bread against walls and doors is a common NYE tradition in Ireland. This is done to ward off evil spirits and protect the home. If bread isn’t available, pots and pans or wooden spoons will suffice. Another Irish tradition involves placing coal inside the house. Having coal in the house is a sign that the new year will be prosperous and filled with wealth and abundance. Coal represents warmth, potential, and opportunity.  

Japan 

In Japan, 108 bell tolls can be heard from Buddhist temples at midnight on New Year’s. This symbolizes the earthly temptations and Buddhist belief to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every citizen.

The Japanese also have a custom of sending New Year’s Day postcards to friends and relatives, similar to the Western custom of sending Christmas cards. 

Philippines 

If you walked into a Filipino’s home on NYE you would see a table with round fruits at its center. This tradition is known as bilog-bilog. In Hispanic culture, round-shape fruits symbolize richness or wealth because their form resembles old-fashioned gold and silver. Besides the round fruits, citizens can be seen sporting polka dot clothing or anything round-shaped. Around an hour before the clock strikes midnight, Filipinos create a lot of noise to ward off bad spirits and negative vibes. Once the new year arrives, citizens jump as high as they can at midnight to bring growth for the new year.  

United States 

Whether in person or in front of the television screen, US residents traditionally ring in the new year by watching the ball drop in New York City’s Time Square. The first ball drop was held on December 31, 1907, and was organized by New York Times owner Adolph Ochs.

It is estimated that one million people watch the NYC ball drop live. The night wraps up with champagne, fireworks, and a kiss.  

Teneo Linguistics Company is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in a variety of customizable language services, in more than 180 languages. The TLC team wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year.