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‘Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.’
(Brad Paisley – American singer/songwriter)
Five, four, three, two, one…Happy New Year !
As each new year approaches, it is a near-universal sentiment to anticipate its arrival with hope and excitement. We collectively yearn for it to be a time filled with the abundance and goodness we feel we’ve earned, and perhaps even more.
Every year, billions of people make hopeful New Year’s resolutions, only to abandon them by the end of January. This cycle continues, year after year.
The tradition of celebrating the New Year has ancient roots, dating back thousands of years. The earliest records of such celebrations come from Babylon (ancient Mesopotamia), where they took place in March at the spring equinox, as they were linked to the agricultural calendar. The festivities, called “Akitu”, lasted eleven days and centred on the rebirth of nature.
In ancient Egypt, the New Year was celebrated during the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius around mid-July. This was a major celebration for the Egyptians, as they owed much of their existence and development to the great river and its annual cycles. However, the tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve as we know it today goes back to the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BC, introducing the Julian calendar and setting 1 January as the start of the new year. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings and transitions, who had two faces: one that looked forwards and one that looked backwards. The Romans began to celebrate the New Year by exchanging gifts, decorating their homes and organising merry feasts.
During the early Middle Ages, the celebration fell out of favour in Christian Europe, but Pope Gregory XIII reinstated 1 January as New Year’s Day in 1582 with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, aligning most European countries with the ancient Roman tradition.
Living in different countries and experiencing the variety of customs and traditions that people uphold as the year comes to a close, fosters an appreciation for cultural diversity and an interest in exploring various social customs.
Every year, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, Europe transforms into a kaleidoscope of cultural traditions. From time-honoured rituals to contemporary celebrations, the continent’s final night of the year is a captivating display of diversity. From the bustling streets of major cities to the quiet villages, each country embraces its own unique way to usher in the new year.
So, join us as we explore the delightful customs that make New Year’s Eve a memorable occasion —or possibly one to forget, if one has indulged in too much of that ‘bubbly’!
In Spain and Portugal, it is customary for people to eat twelve grapes at midnight—one for each month of the new year—as a symbol of good luck. At the stroke of midnight, Spaniards also toast with a glass of Cava, a sparkling wine from the Catalonia region. Some even drop a gold ring into their glass of Cava before drinking, symbolising wealth and prosperity in the year ahead. The first part of the evening is typically spent with family at the table, enjoying traditional Spanish dishes, seafood, ham, and a variety of tapas. Desserts often include Turrón (a nougat-like sweet) and other treats typical of the Christmas season.
In some parts of Spain, it is believed that wearing new clothes on New Year’s Eve brings good fortune. After midnight, many people join in the celebrations in town, which continue until dawn. Traditional dances, such as flamenco in the south or sardana in Catalonia, may be performed in more regional settings. Another highlight of the holiday season in Spain is the El Niño lottery, where many buy tickets in the hope of starting the new year with an unexpected win. In the Canary Islands, it is customary to wear white on New Year’s Eve to attract positive energy, while in Galicia, there is a tradition of throwing a bucket of water out of the window to cleanse the house and wash away the negative energy from the previous year.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, “Hogmanay”—a term deeply embedded in Scottish culture—marks a major three-day festival featuring street parties, concerts, and a spectacular fireworks display. The torchlight procession is particularly iconic, creating a magical atmosphere. Scots eagerly participate in the tradition of “first footing” by visiting friends’ homes on New Year’s Eve, hoping that a tall, dark stranger will bring good fortune for the year ahead.
If you have Danish guests joining you for the New Year’s celebration, don’t be surprised if they begin breaking dishes at your doorstep; this tradition is believed to bring good luck for the year ahead. They also enjoy jumping off chairs at midnight, symbolising the leap into the new year.
Germans tend to be slightly more reserved; rather than wishing to “jump” into the new year, they prefer to “slide” smoothly into it. Their traditional greeting, Guten Rutsch, reflects this sentiment. Additionally, they uphold the tradition of watching the same programme, “Dinner for One,” each year—a British short comedy made in the 1920s, which is now officially the most repeated TV show of all time (according to the Guinness Book of Records). Germans also have a strong affinity for fireworks; they are possibly one of the largest consumers at midnight celebrations. Many wear lucky charms, such as small pigs, mushrooms, or clovers, and they often buy edible lucky charms made of marzipan for good fortune.
If you find yourself in the Netherlands during this time of year, you should try their traditional “Oliebollen,” delightful doughnuts that may also provide you with the energy needed for the next day’s cold swim in the North Sea, known as “Nieuwjaarsduik.” Regardless of the weather, many enthusiastic participants plunge into the frigid waters to welcome the new year.
Italians celebrate with a feast that always includes lentils on the menu, symbolising wealth and prosperity. It is also quite common to wear red underwear for good luck. Additionally, the last person to leave a party is often jokingly blamed for any misfortune in the coming year, resulting in a humorous game where everyone attempts to sneak out unnoticed.
When it comes to food, Romanians will fill your table with an array of traditional dishes, including pork and sauerkraut, a variety of salads, and a special dessert called “cozonac,” which is a sweet bread filled with nuts, raisins, and cocoa. These feasts are complemented by drinks, music, abundant fireworks, and a cheerful atmosphere. Cities often host public fireworks displays and large gatherings. The New Year’s celebrations last until dawn and continue the following day with “Sorcova,” when children wish older individuals a happy new year in exchange for gifts and money.
In Greece, a cake known as Vasilopita is baked each year for New Year’s Eve. This cake contains a hidden coin, and the person who finds the coin is believed to have good luck for the year ahead.
At midnight, Austrian national television broadcasts the sound of the Pummerin bell from the famous Stephansdom cathedral, the largest church bell in the country and the third largest in Europe. This is followed by the beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, while people melt small pieces of lead (Bleigießen) or, more recently, wax, as it is less dangerous and toxic. They then throw the melted material into cold water, creating various shapes and figurines that are said to predict the future. Apparently, Finns have a similar tradition, which is full of fun and always brings lots of giggles!
The Austrian capital is host to the famous “Silvesterpfad”, featuring street parties with live music, food stalls and entertainment leading up to midnight. A most significant event is the traditional New Year’s Concert, held every year on 1 January at noon, when the Vienna Philharmonic performs timeless and beloved classical pieces from the vast repertoire of Johann Strauss and his sons, in Vienna’s resplendent Musikverein concert hall. This event has gained immense popularity over the years and is now broadcast live in over 90 countries.
In Norway, people usually spend the evening with family and friends, enjoying a meal of ribbe (pork ribs) or pinnekjøtt (dried lamb) and plenty of fireworks at midnight.
The Swiss eat “Fondue chinoise”, made of raw meat and blanched vegetables, cooked in a simmering broth and then dipped into a variety of sauces.
Polish people go on sleigh rides known as “kulig”, but only after ensuring all debts are paid and cupboards are stocked up for a prosperous new year.
Hungarian New Year’s Eve traditions include burying straw dolls to ward off winter and making lots of noise to scare away evil spirits. People also enjoy a meal of virsli (Viennese sausages) and lentil soup or korhelyleves, a sauerkraut soup with meat, believed to cure hangovers.
Swedes traditionally celebrate New Year’s Eve by partaking in a smorgasbord (buffet-style meal) and watching the ‘Sveriges Television’ programme in the company of friends and family.
In Turkey, New Year’s Eve, or “Yılbaşı”, is traditionally marked by a sumptuous feast featuring stuffed grape leaves, pilaf, and baklava. The exchange of gifts and cards is customary, particularly among close friends and family. Some people incorporate lucky charms, such as coins or pomegranate seeds, into their celebrations to attract prosperity in the new year.
A charming tradition comes from Belgium, especially from Flanders, where children write Nieuwjaarsbrieven, beautifully decorated New Year’s letters, with good wishes to their parents, godparents or grandparents, which they then read to them on New Year’s Day, as a sign of affection. People carry gold coins or jewellery in their pockets to attract prosperity in the coming year. Traditionally, rabbits, lentils or cabbage are eaten, considered symbols of wealth and luck. In large cities, especially in Brussels and Antwerp, people attend New Year’s Eve balls and gala dinners, formal events with good food and live music, which last until the small hours.
In France, “Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre” is celebrated with lavish dinners, often featuring oysters, foie gras and a variety of seafood. As the clock strikes midnight, it is traditional to toast with selected French champagne, wishing “Bonne Année” to everyone. It is also still customary to send New Year’s cards to family and friends, often accompanied by small gifts or tokens of appreciation. In Paris, there are public celebrations with fireworks and parties, especially along the Champs-Élysées, where massive crowds gather to celebrate into the early hours of the morning.
In fact, Europe hosts some of the most famous New Year’s parties worldwide, each with its own unique flavour. Berlin’s New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate is one of the largest in the world, attracting over a million people each year. With live music, DJs, fireworks and a vibrant atmosphere, it is broadcast on German television and is a must-see for party enthusiasts.
London’s spectacular fireworks display over the Thames, near the London Eye, draws huge crowds each time. Amsterdam attracts many to Dam Square, where there is certainly something for everyone. Similarly, Madrid’s iconic Puerta del Sol is a major draw.
Piazza del Popolo in Rome is the centre of the New Year’s celebrations in the Italian capital. It is a great place to enjoy traditional Italian food and immerse oneself in the festive cheer.
Many European countries also observe specific religious ceremonies around this time of year. In the UK, Watch Night services are held on New Year’s Eve, featuring prayers, hymns, and reflections on the past year, as well as hopes for the year ahead.
In Italy, it is common to attend a special mass on New Year’s Day to give thanks and seek blessings for the year ahead. In Greece, 1 January is a significant religious holiday, when the faithful go to church and bless their food.
In Ireland, some follow traditional Celtic customs, with rituals to honour ancestors and seek blessings for the new year.
Some Eastern Orthodox countries, such as Moldova, Serbia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Russia, still celebrate New Year’s Eve on 13 January, according to the Julian calendar, known as the Old New Year.
No matter how and when the first moments of 2025 are celebrated, let us hope that it will be a year full of laughter, accomplished dreams, good health, and peace.
The enchantment of starting anew is one of the most delightful experiences.
Happy New Year to one and all!
alexandra.paucescu@europe-diplomatic.eu
