Category: New Year Traditions

New Year is one of the most funfilled festivals celebrated at a mass scale throughout the year. This is one of the festivities which provide ample scope to be happy at the fullest level.

There happen to be a series of enchanting plans and programs that thrive within the transition from one New Year to another. As one New Year passes by amidst fun and laughter, the wait for the next year begins.

New Year is celebrated in various ways; the principal elements that add up to the charm of the fete are colorful parties, exchange of gifts and wishing one another for a prosperous New Year. Scheduling New Year vacations to different picturesque lands form another charming aspect of the New Year Season. There are several venues that can be explored by setting a New Year itinerary. One such place is the Hawaiian Islands. It will indeed be a great holiday to spend the New Year in Hawaii.

The tropical paradise of Hawaii will surely offer an exquisite range of pleasure to every traveler who has the penchant to experience a New Year in a different way altogether. The New Year in Hawaii is in true terms a vibrant affair and not only decks up one’s heart with a cherishing memory of the festivities but also provide the excellent chance to explore through the ravishing beauty of the exotic islands.

The celebration of New Year in Hawaii will set one amidst scores of exciting things to do. The Hawaiian archipelago lying at the southern edge of USA constitutes a fascinationg climatic condition during the period ranging from late December to initial days of January.

The wether ramains favorably cool with mild warmth. This assists the travelers to have a very comfortable touring schedule. Although almost all the islands lying within the bounds of Hawaiian archipelago are great places offer exposure to different kinds of New Year activities but still the Oahu and the Big Islands should always be referred as the best among all.

One of the most enamoring aspects of Hawaiian New Year is the elaborate fire work shows. They happen to be one of the most exciting New Year traditions in Hawaii. Apart from that there are thousands other things to do in Hawaii, which will surely make your New Year in Hawaii a unique affair.

“Hau’oli Makahiki Hou”, is the term for bidding “Happy New Year” in Hawaiian language. Start up with this greeting, if you are at Hawaii during New Year. The other ideas about celebrating a smashing New Year in Hawaii can be, peeping into the various island restaurants, bars and pubs and tantalize your taste buds with the sumptuous delights from the Hawaiian cuisine and sip the assortd range of soothing drinks from the island domain. You can also tap your feet with the beating drums and the rhythm of the island music. The various clubs and pubs will give you the opportunity to experience the chic and wild island New Year.

Taking a tour of the islands in a helicopter or indulging in adventure activities, such as, snowboarding, surfing or skiing and lastly booking a island cruise package are also great ways to have a memorable New Year in Hawaii.

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In Greece New Year’s Day is also celebrated as the Feast of Saint Basil who was one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church. Also known by the name of Protochronia, Greek New Year celebrations is a mix of traditional rites and modern frolic.

The morning of the New Year comes alive as children go from door to door singing carols (kalanta) and they are rewarded with a coin in return. The other rites and rituals involving New Year celebrations are as follows –

Playing the Cards:

According to the Greek traditional belief, the New Year is an auspicious time, and it is a custom to participate in rituals that are believed to beckon more luck and prosperity in the coming year. As such it is a common tradition to play cards or roll dices as people participate in games of chance on this day.

Games are organized in pubs, clubs, coffee houses and homes all through the country. Even the State Lottery is played with much enthusiasm during this time of the year and can raise millions of euro on New Year’s Day. In the homes people while away time playing these games as they wait for the clock to announce the midnight. Here betting amounts are generally kept minimal and friendly diversions are offered so as not to upset anyone who is not winning.

First Footing – Kalo Podariko:

Kalo Podariko or the tradition of First Footing is very common custom in Greece on the juncture of the New Year setting in. It is believed that the first person who sets foot inside a home in the New Year determines the kind of luck that the household would experience the rest of the year. It is believed that a First Footer should be a person with a kind and loving heart, and as such, a child is often made a First Footer for their pure, innocent and honest hearts are believed to usher in good omen. After the First Footing takes place, other members of the family then follow by stepping in one by one inside the house. It is believed to be auspicious to put the right foot first while coming in by the First Footer and also by the other members of the family.

 

 

Feasting with an Extra Place Setting:

Feasting is a common phenomenon for New Year celebrations round the world, and the New Year celebration in Greece is no exception. Members of the family gather together to enjoy a sumptuous meal, and on the table it is often the custom to leave an extra place. This place is meant for Saint Basil. Households in Greece consider it auspicious to include their favorite Saint in their New Year celebrations.

Smashing a Pomegranate:

From the ancient times pomegranate has been considered to be a sign of fertility, prosperity and regeneration. It has been the custom since ancient times for Greek households to hang a pomegranate above the main entrance door of the house. Some people also get the fruit blessed at the Church before doing so. A little before the clock strikes twelve marking the advent of the New Year it is the custom to turn off all lights and for the family members to step out of the house. The family members then step in again with their right foot first after the First Footer makes an entry at midnight. The person who enters immediately after the First Footer rolls the fruit holding it in the right hand with force against the door and smashes it open. It is believed that the number of seeds that gets scattered is directly proportional to the amount of good luck the family would be blessed with in the upcoming year.   

Stepping on a Mossy Stone:

People collect stones that are mossy from nearby water bodies like lakes, ponds, rivers of the neighborhood and place them near the threshold of their homes before the New Year. It is considered to be a good omen to step on this stone before entering the house on the New Year’s Day while following the First Footer.

Hanging Squill Bulb or an Onion or something similar:

The Greeks use bulbs of squill or onion or something similar to hang on to their front door on the New Year’s Eve. This tradition is believed to be an ancient one and prevalent even in the times of the celebrated Greek thinker of the 6th century BC Pythagoras. These plants have the quality of growing fast and even surviving when uprooted. As such, since times immemorial the Greeks have designated these to symbolize growth and regeneration. After the New Year sets in, the home owner takes the bulb inside the house and keeps it in the house the rest of the year.

Vassilopita – bread with a precious coin:

Vassilopita is sweet and savory bread that is baked especially for the occasion of the New Year with a coin made of silver or gold put in it. These days’ people often put a euro in it or a plain round button wrapped in a silver or gold foil. On the New Year’s Day it is the custom for the eldest member of the house to cut this cake – one slice is reserved for Jesus, another for Virgin Mary, a third for Saint Basil, and one each for the Church, the House and the Poor. The rest of the cake is then cut and distributed among members elder to the younger. The one who gets the coin in his/ her slice of cake is believed to bring in good luck. The slices kept aside in the names of Jesus, Mary, Saint Basil, Church, Home and Poor are either given to the guests who visit the home or distributed among the needy.

Kali Hera or Kali Xera:

It is a traditional ritual for Greek children to receive gifts of kali (money) during the New Year. This custom stemmed out of the fact that money has never been abundant in the country of Greece, and that too many toy shops or other shops to buy gifts suitable for children were not rampant either. As such, people used to gift their children, nephew, nieces or grandchildren money which was a mark that they are wishing for prosperity for their little ones in the upcoming New Year. Often people accompanied these monetary gifts with sweets or pastries.

Fireworks and Jubilations:

It is very common to find people thronging night clubs, pubs, bars and as well as shopping plazas on the occasion of New Year. Streets get crowded with people and traffic becomes very slow. In keeping with this festive spirit, the various municipal bodies also deck up the main avenues and landmark locations. In many places sponsored musical events too are organized for. In many places throughout Greece elaborate firework displays can be seen that further add on to the mood of festive fervor. People get enthralled by many such entertainment options, and generally enjoy till sunrise the next day.

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New Year is popularly called as Neujahr in Germany. It is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the first month of the Georgian calendar. People in Germany hold lot of fervor and zeal for the New Year celebrations.

Many efforts go into planning to ensure a grand farewell to the old year and much grander welcome to the New Year. New Year Eve is called as ‘Sylvester’ in Germany, as a mark of honor to the Saint Sylvester, who used to live in Germany in fourth century.

Saint Sylvester is credited as the one who mended leprosy, and baptized Constantine the Great, the Roman Ruler. Saint Sylvester is also credited as the only Pope to have met the recognized members of the family of Jesus.

New Year Celebrations in Germany

Majestic parties are thrown all over the Germany in discotheques, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. Throngs of people come in these parties to eat, drink, sing, dance, and celebrate New Year. These jollity parties initiate on the New Year’s Eve and go on the entire night to finish on the next morning. With the arrival of New Year, every one present in the party share wishes with others, and make resolutions for the next year. The most grand and famous parties occur at Brandenburg Tor in Berlin, which saw thousands of people from Germany as well as outside Germany marking their presence to have an extraordinary New Year experience.

 

 
However, not everyone wishes to be a part of these grand social parties, but rather prefer to have a more public celebration, where only friends, families, and close people are invited. As soon as clock at the midnight turns twelve, people exchange wishes, hugs and kisses one another, and open up champagne bottles to illustrate their pleasure for the moment. Lighting up fireworks and crafting them in beautiful sequence is also a major part of New Year celebrations in Germany.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Germany

People in Germany intently abide with their customs and traditions while celebrating New Year. There are many such traditions, with few of them being immensely popular among German people. One such tradition is of foretelling the future of the coming year, which is called as ‘Bleigiessen’. It is performed by falling molten lead in cold water. The shape then formed in the water is considered as the basis of the predictions made for the future of a person. For instance, a heart or ring shaped formation suggests wedding, a ship shaped formation suggests journey or travelling, a pig shaped formation suggests abundance of food, etc.

In Germany, there is a major following for the tradition of leaving a bit of the New Year’s Eve food till the midnight, till the time New Year arrives. There is a traditional belief that doing so confers plenty of food for the entire coming year. Also, a dish of carp or herring (special dish of fish), and carrots and cabbage on the platter, along with champagne raised for a toast on New Year’s Eve is considered to be bring financial stability for the coming year. Also, people share meat and cheese with close friends and family members over the feast. Also, lentil soup with wieners is another popular dish for the evening, which is prepared few days ago before the big day.

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The European country of France celebrates New Year on the day of January 1 of Georgian calendar. New Year day is popularly called as Jour des Étrennes, and le Jour de I’An. New Year day celebrations are referred as ‘Reveillion’.

For the fact, it is counted as amongst the oldest festivals of France, and thus an official public holiday is observed for the day. People in France go and meet their friends and families, to celebrate the special day with mutual solemnity and ecstasy.

A pleasant farewell to the old year and a grand welcome to the New Year is done, with an optimistic hope of success, prosperity, happiness, and peace in the coming time. New Year celebrations begin on New Years’ eve and go on till the 6th January of the New Year. In France, New Year’s Eve is referred as la Saint-Sylvestre.

Traditional Celebrations of New Year in France

On New Year’s Eve, a traditional ceremony is organized in France, as a part of which, a special festive cake with the name of la galette des rois is cut. A special feast, called as le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre is planned, which have traditional dishes such as pancakes and foie gras (flavored duck or goose) on the platter. Also, champagne is served to the visitors. According to French traditions, this special dinner brings in prosperity and good luck to the lives of all those attending the feast. The Southern Western part of France organizes an evening procession, in which masses of people participate. The people participating in the procession sing and dance through the parade, which is headed towards the vinery for mull wine.
 

 

Other New Year Celebrations in France

Going on a cruise ride on the occasion of New Year is increasingly becoming popular in France. A cruise ride on the New Year’s Eve, and the idea of welcoming New Year in the middle of an ocean or sea makes it an extraordinary and unforgettable moment for the destined. From the past some time, there has been an ever-increased demand for the same, and it’s hard to get into the list of final cruise riders. The two day New Year’s parade as organized in Paris is another popular celebration, which people die to be a part of. Thousands of local people along with foreign visitors as well as special artists, singers, dancers, and performers march and perform through the procession, which goes through various streets, before ending up at Trocadéro, under the Eiffel Tower.

Private New Year Celebrations

However, New Year celebrations as made out in France are more of a private affair, and less of a social affair. People prefer to have house parties with only close friends and families invited. A special dinner for the day is prepared, and a ball called as une soirée dansante is organized. The evening saw people celebrating and welcoming the New Year with cheerfulness and festive mood. Apart from partying hard, wishes are made, and gifts are shared with near and dear ones. The tradition of gift giving on New Year is considered to be too significant to be given a second thought. It can be a New Year card, special cookies, cakes, or any of the propitious goods.

Tradition of Poisson d’avril

There is another important tradition of Poisson d’avril, a French word which literally means for an April fish. The tradition begins in the post period of the time, when January 1 was officially declared as the New Year’s Day. Since that time, anyone who does not follow the same is considered to be a fool or an April fish. People started planning pranks around them by sending them fake party invitations and New Year presents. In the present time, the tradition has developed as a fun and entertainment time for young children in France.

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England, a major part of United Kingdom, celebrates New Year on the day of January 1, i.e. the first day of the first month of the Georgian calendar. The date was declared as the New Year in 1752.

Before 1752, England celebrated its New Year on Christmas Day, i.e. 25th December. History of England celebrated different dates as New Year in different time periods.

However, one common aspect is the great vigor and enthusiasm associated with New Year celebrations.

People enthusiastically wait for the time of the New Year to arrive; more so because it offers them a chance to carry forward their celebration mood of Christmas ahead and higher with the New Year celebrations.

New Year Celebrations in England

In the present time, the most common trend is to organize a house party on the New Year midnight where everyone from the family and close friends is invited to be a part of it. Also, special midnight parties organize in discotheques, pubs, clubs, and bars also see crowd passionately participating in it.

New Year day also see lot of theme parties, cruises, troupes, carnivals, live concerts, and salsa dance celebrations occurring in different parts of England. Among these, cruises and theme parties saw a large crowd coming from far distant places including foreign land. The New Year celebrations in England are considered to be incomplete, more specifically without the special cruise ride.

 

 

New Year Arrival

As soon as the clock in the midnight rings twelve, everyone present in the party, on the road, in the house hoot, shout, whistle, and create noise to mark the arrival of the New Year. It is followed by greeting everyone around by hugs and kisses. A drinking toast is raised by everyone in concert to officially get into the celebration grove.

Lavish meals are served, champagne flows in, creative fireworks are done, and everyone gets into the singing and dancing atmosphere on the biggest night of the year. New Year Parade which initiates on the noon of the New Year day saw thousands of people participating in it, with dancers, drummers, acrobats, musicians, and entertainers. The parade moves through the streets of Whitehall, Pall Mall, and eventually concluding at Berkley square.

Traditional Celebrations of New Year in England

In England, there is a traditional belief that whosever first arrives at the threshold of the household will be the one bringing good luck to the lives of the inhabitants of the household living in, for the entire coming year. The tradition is called as ‘First Footing’. As a part of ‘First Footing’ tradition, England people pray for young, healthy, handsome, and a dark haired male to be their first arriver of the New Year. However, a woman, a blonde, or a red colored person is not welcome for the day, as they are considered to bring bad luck for the entire year.

More so, if that person carries coal, money, bread, salt, or holy mistletoe with him, then it is considered to be a sign of a good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year. Traditionally, the first footer is meant to follow and abide by certain customs and traditions. Few of them as mentioned in legends states that the first footer should always enter into the house from the front door, and should exit from the back door. Also, the first footer, without speaking or wishing to anyone or vice versa, should place the fuel (as carried along) on fire, should place loaf on the table, and should pour in water for the head of the household. Tradition also calls for gifting of the mistletoe by the visitor to any household member.

Other New Year Traditions in England

There is also a popular tradition of exchanging New Year gifts while wishing each other. However, with Christmas day falling few days before the New Year day, this tradition of exchanging gifts is now less followed. Then, there is a tradition of ‘burning of bush’, which is considered to be a symbol of burning of all past evils and making a new beginning. Other than this, the New Year morning see young kids waking up early, and then making rounds of neighborhood while singing New Year celebration sings. Traditionally, whosoever does not sings before the noon of the New Year day is referred as a fool.

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The New Year in Egypt is a public holiday that is observed with much fanfare. Although in the present times the date of the New Year is declared much beforehand thanks to the blessings of technology, but as per the traditions the official announcements are made at the mosque only after the sighting of the crescent moon occurs. It is a joyous day for the people of the land to make merry.

Beliefs Related to Egyptian New Year:

Ancient Egyptian culture has always been deeply intertwined with the River Nile which has always held a significant part in every aspect of the Egyptian civilization.

As such, the people of Egypt observed their New Year corresponding with the annual flood of the River Nile.

From the accounts of the Roman writer Censorinus we come to know that the Egyptians calculated their New Year based on the sighting of Sirius, the brightest amongst the stars in the night sky. New Year was declared when Sirius became visible after a period of 70 days absence. This incident was termed as the heliacal rising and it occurred sometime in the middle of the month of July just prior to the annual Nile inundation. This contributed towards keeping the farmland fertile.

This phenomenon was termed as the Wepet Renpet (Opening of the Year), and New Year, as such, in Egypt was a time for marking rebirth and rejuvenation, and was observed with traditional rites, rituals and feasts. The New Year in Egypt is also linked to the legend of the Sun God Ra saving the entire humanity from the clutches of Sekhmet, the war Goddess, who had planned to eradicate the human race, by making her drink till she got unconscious. This new lease of life for the human race is naturally celebrated by the Egyptians with much merriment.

Since majority of the people residing in Egypt follow Islam as their religion, the New Year for them is marked by the Islamic Hijri calendar, and it marks the day on which Prophet Muhammad was born. This day is also referred to as Maulid or Mawlid.

In Cairo, the New Year’s Day is celebrated in a carnival spirit with circus performers, dancers, singers and musicians congregating from all over Egypt to entertain people. Foods and sweets are also sold.

Now let us look at the traditions that are observed in the country to mark a New Year –

 

 

Sighting the Crescent Moon:

In Egypt New Year commences only after crescent moon is sighted. This sighting takes place at the Muhammad Ali Mosque located on a hill top in Cairo. The religious leader known as the Grand Mufti hails the sighting, and then the message is passed on to the others waiting outside the mosque. People wish each other "Kol Sana We Enta Tayeb", and then go on to their families to enjoy the occasion.

Greeting family, friends and neighbors:

In villages, it was often the custom of the heads of the families to go out wishing all the other houses on the occasion of the New Year. They visit one home after the other and in the end visit the home of the Mayor. Today the custom has become compact, and people visit homes of their extended family and friends to exchange greetings. In some places New Year parties are organized here people can come together to meet each other instead of having to visit individual homes.

New clothes:

It is customary for the families to wear colorful new clothes to mark the joyous occasion. Even the women folk who are traditionally seen in black attires are allowed wear other colors on this day.

Feasting:

New Year in Egypt is a happy occasion and feasting is a major part of the celebrations. Most families in Egypt have sumptuous meals on this day that traditionally includes a meat item.

Symbolic Dolls for Children:

Sweets are made in the shape of dolls for children. Girls get sweets made in a shape of a girl in a pretty dress while boys get sweets that resemble the figure of a boy on horseback. The sweets are further adorned with colored paper shaped like an accordion.

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When the New Year knocks at the door, every country celebrates it in its own way, following its own culture and traditions.

They may vary from place to place but the spirit of welcoming the New Year with a bang remains the same. Just like all other countries, the Dominican Republic also follows its own traditions to celebrate the special day of New Year or Ano Nuevo.

Usually, New year celebrations are done at home with family members and close friends. The most important part of the occasion is cleaning the homes before the New Year rolls in. Traditionally, it is believed that New Year brings a new life and hence it should be welcomed in a proper manner by discarding everything that is old. Cleaning every part of their house signifies arrival of good luck for them and they wash away anything that’s old and no more needed.

Every corner of the home is cleaned and every inch of dirt is dusted away before the New Year day. No one touches the broom on the New Year day as sweeping anything on that special day might sweep your luck away.  Some Dominicans also go to the extent of repainting their houses in order to make it look perfect and welcome lucky spirits. Most of the Dominicans burn incense sticks to give the home a divine look.

 

Just at 12 Midnight, on the New Year day, they Dominicans keep their doors and windows open as they believe that the evil spirits will run away giving space to good spirits. They discard the old brooms and purchase new brooms outside the doors which are brought inside the next day for the similar reason. Interestingly, Dominicans hang 12 grapes, each symbolizing a month, to make wishes for the entire year and each every month for the wish come true . Staunch Catholics also call priests to bless their homes with the Holy Water.

 

Colors are given lots of importance during the New Year celebrations. They believe the color of your dress signifies the wish you make for the Year. For example, if you are in Green, you wish to improve your financial condition. If you are in Yellow, your goal is to work far better. In red, you might be seeking a better future and a white dress for you would mean you are in search for a good health above all.

The New Year day is usually celebrated at home with a massive dinner accompanied by dance and music. The entire family comes together during the period and everyone brings gifts wrapped with good wishes for each other. All members of the family sit together and share their old memories or discuss what went wrong in the previous year. They also talk about their New Year resolutions and how they are going to follow them strictly. A new year day celebrated with loved ones not only make the day special but also gives the much needed spirit to live life in a better way all the year round. Isn’t it so?

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The country of Denmark is geographically located in the northern part of Europe. It celebrates arrival of a New Year according to Georgian calendar dates, and thus has January 1 as their date of New Year.

Apart from New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve, few preceding days leading to them are also joyfully celebrated by Danish people with lots of excitement and jollity.

Apart from the modern day parties organized all around the town, Danish people do ensure to concord their celebrations with their traditions and customs. For the fact, any celebrations or festivities, including New Year, as observed by people in Denmark are seen as occasions to promote Danish cultures, traditions, and rich heritage, and as well as pass them on to the next generations.

New Year Celebrations in Denmark

Denmark hosts a lot of modern day social parties on New Year’s Eve. These parties begin at around evening time of December 31st. and go on till the early morning time of the New Year.

Throng of people come in, and have a celebration blast. Special dishes are served, and fine and varied quality of champagne flow all night. Also, as soon as the clock rings twelve at midnight, marzipan ring cake is served to all those present.

People sing, dance, clap, and make noises to reflect their exuberance for the occasion. The list of traditional dishes as served in these parties necessarily includes boiled cod, stewed kale, and pork. Serving them to the people during New Year’s time is considered to confer good luck, prosperity, and happiness in the coming time of New Year.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Denmark

Bursting firecrackers is a very intact part of New Year’s celebration in Denmark. At the mark of twelve, a preplanned show of fireworks is carried out, which illuminates the entire sky and skyline of the town. The dazzling shows of noisy fireworks are most awaited and enjoyed by young children. It is done with an old belief in concern that loud noises of fireworks sway away all the evil spirits and negative energies.

There is another prominent tradition of food saving and throwing. As a part of it, people save some food throughout the year, and then throws it on the threshold of near and dear ones on the occasion of New Year. If one gets to find many old broken dishes at their foyer, then it considered to be an optimistic indication that one has too many good friends and well-wishers, and the coming year will saw pleasant and flourishing relationships with people.

New Year’s time also saw two major and traditional events eagerly awaited and followed by the majority of population of Denmark. One among them is the yearly New Year speech of the monarch, and other is the live broadcast of Town Hall Clock in Copenhagen turning twelve on New Year’s midnight. Both these shows are broadcasted on radio as well as telecasted on television on New Year, and are viewed and listened by millions in Denmark.

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The Central American country of Costa Rica celebrates New Year on January 1. In and around the time of New Year, the natives of Costa Rica prefer to spend quality time with close friends and family.

People make most of the holiday time, and let themselves loose off to relax as well as party hard to celebrate the festive spirit of New Year.

However, spending time to party hard is less preferred, and most of the people rather choose to have private celebrations with only near and dear ones in attendance.

Some other prefer to have New year celebrations on the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, which during the time of the New Year usually witnesses throngs of people and visitors from within the country as well as foreign land. It is the time of the year when natives of Costa Rica like to spend, travel, and celebrate. One would hardly find any vacant rooms in hotels and resorts around the time of New Year. Malls, clubs, and discotheques remain jam-packed with horde. However, one might not find them to be too occupied with the time getting closer to New Year, as everyone in Costa Rica prefers to spend that time in their houses with their close friends and family.

New Year Celebrations in Costa Rica

People in Costa Rica observes New Year as a time when they should look at what all their life have been through in the past, and what all they want it to be like in the coming time. It is considered to be a time of identifying and realizing past mistakes and sins; learning from them to ensure that they don’t get repeated; and drawing future goals for the coming time. While those belonging to a partly upper age bracket believes in concurring their celebrations according to customs and traditions to ensure everything go fine in the coming time of New year, people of young age look around for great party options. Usually, apart from getting along with friends at a popular party hub or discotheque, house parties are also organized by many.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Costa Rica

There is an old and vastly followed New Year tradition of running twice around the house or crossing the neighborhood street with a suitcase or a backpack in the hand or on the back respectively. According to beliefs, doing so ensures travelling in the coming year, and those with any travelling aspirations never miss a chance to do it on December 31. There is another principally followed tradition of cleaning and sweeping the entire house by the women on December 31, as doing so is believed to sway away all the past evils. Another one calls for throwing a pan full of water over one’s shoulder, as doing is believed to sway away all the bad luck of the past year, and confers one with good luck in the coming year.

There are some amusing New Year traditions which are widely practiced among the natives of Costa Rica. One among them is wearing red underwear on New Year with a hope that the coming year will make them meet their spouse or true lover; and wearing yellow with a hope of getting conferred with good luck in the coming time. Eating twelve grapes at midnight, with each one dedicated to one month of the Old Year, and making wish with every grape is also a traditional way of bidding farewell to the past. The feast thrown on New Year’s Eve is necessarily and traditionally required to have pierna de cerdo (a leg of pork) as the main course served.

Termed as the Switzerland of America, Costa Rica offers whole world of options for those who wish to have a gala and unforgettable New Year time. Apart from its rich tradition, the scenic beauty lying in the rain forests, charismatic mountains, and exhilarating beaches of Costa Rica ensures one to have a good time there. With the time of New Year drawing close, once can evidently witness the rich tradition and customs followed by the people of Costa Rica, who believe in celebrating their time with immense fervor.

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The state of Connecticut is located in the New England region of the northeastern part of United States. It is considered as amongst the wealthiest and most developed parts of the United States.

Also, Connecticut has gained immense popularity as a beautiful tourist spot to visit, because of its stunning and diverse landscapes. The wealth and development it has attained over the years, is precisely reflective in the way with which it celebrates New Year. Connecticut celebrates its New Year in accordance with the Georgian calendar on January 1.

New Year Celebrations in Connecticut

Connecticut organizes one of the most amazing and splendid New Year celebrations in United States. Large numbers of parties are organized all over the town, in clubs, hotels, and discotheques. Also, various other programs such as live cultural programs, music concerts, magic shows, stand up shows, etc. are organized in which prominent magicians, music bands, rock bands, dance troupes, and various other artists of Connecticut as well as other places come, participate, and give entertaining performances. Among these, the magic shows remain in the centre of attraction and amusement for small children as well as young people. Different magic and juggling acts as performed are truly stunning and astonishing, leaving every inch of its spectator in awe and amaze. The whole of Connecticut remains in a total celebration mood during New Year’s tie, and one can find people enthusiastically celebrating in their houses, in party places, and almost every corner and street of the city.

Each of these parties is well planned in advance, and is presented sometimes after month long preparations. Most of these parties and shows go on floor on New Year’s Eve, and go on till the wee hours of January 1 of New Year.

Other New Year Celebrations in Connecticut

Other than this, local people as well as tourists also look forward to be a part of the skiing competitions organized during weekends in the beautiful valleys and mountains of Connecticut. One highlighting aspect of New Year celebrations in Connecticut is the traditional Connecticut Opera organized during the time of the New Year, which draw people from far off places. The soothing opera music presented by the orchestra at Connecticut Opera witnesses a packed house every time it is staged. When everyone is busy planning an impressive farewell to the old year and a majestic welcome to the New Year, festivals such as Hat Making Competition, Mask Making Competition, Bushnell Park Campfire festival, etc. offers something extraordinary to do that in style.

The prominent and popular festival of Polar Plunge also offers a good and exciting time during New Year’s time. As a part of this festival, young participants are put through a daring stint as a part of which they are made to cross and swim through the ice cold water at the Long Island of Connecticut. The biggest challenge for the participants is that they are required to do it along with a sailing Gala New Year Cruise beside them. Another equally enthralling and crowd pulling assembly occurs at the Contra Dance party. Apart from these major parties, various schools and colleges organize New Year dance parties and celebrations during the first weekend of the New Year.

Other than this, there is also a Connecticut tradition of calling meetings of citizens at the time of the end of an Old year and arrival of New Year. Their opinions and suggestions are welcomed on various society relevant issues, possible execution of which can help in further development and improvement of the city.

More New Year Traditions