The European country of Belgium celebrates New Year on the date of January 1, i.e. the first date of the first month of the Georgian calendar. People of Belgium call New Year’s Eve with the name of “Sint Sylvester Vooranvond” or “Saint Sylvester Eve”, and New Year’s Day with the name of “Nieuwjaarsdag”. Natives of Belgium consider New Year’s time to be a too prominent time of their year and lives, and thus, they ensure to pass through it with vibrancy, joy, and riveting happiness.

New Year Celebrations in Belgium

In Belgium, preparation for New Year celebrations begins quite a few days before the key day. The most common and popular way to celebrate the arrival of New Year in Belgium is by organizing family parties. These family parties are organized in one’s house on New Year’s Eve. All near and dear ones and those belonging to the friends and family circles mark their presence in it. Other than this, all clubs, bars, hotels, restaurants, and cafes organize special New Year parties, which saw throng of people coming in and celebrating the occasion. Everyone present in the party sing, dance, roar, eat, drink, and party to get part of the celebration cored around saying a goodbye to the old year, and welcoming the New Year.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Belgium

In Belgium, there is an old tradition, as a part of which small children collect money throughout the year to ensure that they can buy beautiful decorated paper. They us decorative papers for writing holiday greetings and wishes for their parents and for God. They also decorate them with motifs, vibrant ribbons, scented garlands, and colorful flowers. On the morning of the New Year’s Day, they excitedly read out their compositions and greetings in front of everyone, while dedicating it to respective addressee. On New Year, farmers in Belgium follow a tradition, as a part of which they wish and bless their animals with good luck and healthiness for the coming year.


As soon as the clock arrives on the point of midnight and rings twelve, all those present in the parties, in their houses, and on the streets hug, kiss, and roar with excitement and passion. Wishes and good luck messages are exchanged with all those present around, and drink toasts are raised in memory of those who are absent. Champagne bottles are opened, and everyone get lost in the mood of celebration. Everyone pray and wish for overall peace and prosperity of everyone in the coming year.

More New Year Traditions