100 Fun New year facts around the world (2023 Edition)

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By: Naveen B

As the clock strikes midnight on the 31st of December and the world celebrates the arrival of the New Year, it is a time of reflection, joy and hope.

The New Year is a time of celebration, and it is an opportunity to look back on the year that has passed, and to look forward to the year ahead. It is a time to reflect on the past, to plan for the future, and to make resolutions for the coming year.

As we look forward to the New Year and all it may bring, it is interesting to explore the various New Year facts and traditions observed around the world. From the ancient Chinese tradition of Chinese New Year to the more modern traditions of fireworks and Auld Lang Syne, there are many fascinating facts about the New Year to be discovered.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the most interesting New Year’s facts from around the world. From the ancient Babylonian traditions to the more modern celebrations in New York’s Square, we will look at the many unique ways New Year is celebrated in different countries, and the unique customs that are observed.

We’ll also look at the traditions and superstitions associated with the New Year, and the various ways people around the world welcome in the New Year. 

So, if you’re looking for something to get you in the New Year spirit, grab a cup of hot cocoa and join us as we explore the many fascinating New Year facts from around the world.

100 New year facts

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The following is a great list of New years facts:

1. The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop has been a tradition since 1907.

The first ball drop was held at the One Times Square building in New York City. The ball drop is now a worldwide tradition, with cities across the world hosting their own ball drops on New Year’s Eve.

2. The Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different day.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This year, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated between January 21 – February 12.

3. In Italy, people eat a spoonful of lentils on New Year’s Eve.

Eating lentils is an Italian tradition to bring prosperity in the new year. Lentils are believed to be a symbol of wealth because they look like coins. Eating a spoonful of lentils on New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck.

4. The earliest known New Year’s resolution was made 4,000 years ago by the Babylonians.

The ancient Babylonians believed that a person’s fate for the coming year was determined by the gods. To appease the gods, the Babylonians would make promises and resolutions to do good deeds throughout the year.

5. The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. It is a two-day celebration that marks the start of the Jewish civil year and the High Holy Days.

6. The most popular New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight and exercise more.

Surveys have shown that these are the two most popular resolutions made each year. Other popular resolutions include quitting smoking, learning a new skill, and saving money.

7. In some countries, people wear masks and costumes on New Year’s Eve.

In countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela, people wear masks and costumes on New Year’s Eve. This is to symbolize the new beginning of the year and to ward off evil spirits.

8. Auld Lang Syne is a popular New Year’s song.

Auld Lang Syne is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. The song is traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. It is a way of saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming in the new one.

9. In Japan, the New Year is marked with a bell ringing ceremony.

The bell ringing ceremony at the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji in Tokyo is one of the most popular New Year’s celebrations in Japan. Thousands of people gather at the temple to ring a giant bell 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins and to wish for their release in the new year.

10. In Thailand, people release sky lanterns on New Year’s Eve.

The tradition of releasing sky lanterns is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. It is a popular tradition in Thailand, where people gather to write wishes and prayers on the lanterns before releasing them into the sky.

Also read: 100+ New year’s trivia questions and answers (2024 Edition)

Fun facts for new years

Here is a list of New years fun facts:

1. In spain, it is believed that if you eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, you will have good luck throughout the year.

2. It is believed that if you make a wish at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and then throw a coin into a fountain, the wish will come true.

3. In Scotland, there is a tradition of “First footing”. They believe that the first person to enter your home on New Year’s Day will determine how the rest of the year will go.

4. In Italy, wearing red underwear guarantees luck and success for the year ahead. 

5. In Denmark, it is believed that if you stand with one foot on the ground and the other on a chair at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, you will have Wealth and properity throughout the year.

Lunar new year facts for kids and adults

Here are some of the Best Facts about lunar new year:

1. The Chinese Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival.

2. The Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated for 15 days.

3. Red is the main color of the Lunar New Year.

4. The Lunar New Year is celebrated in countries like China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.

5. The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new lunar cycle.

6. The Lunar New Year is celebrated with many traditional activities like lion and dragon dances, fireworks, and family dinners.

7. The Lunar New Year is a time for families to reunite and visit with relatives.

8. The Lunar New Year is a time to exchange gifts and give out red envelopes, known as “Hongbao”.

9. The Lunar New Year is a time for cleaning and decorating homes.

10. The Lunar New Year is a time for traditional Chinese games and festivities like Chinese chess, Mahjong, and lantern riddles.

Also read: 500+ New year captions (2024 edition) for Instagram & year end photo dumps

Interesting Facts about new years

These are a few Interesting Facts on new year:

1. The tradition of the New Year’s kiss originated in ancient Rome, where it was believed that the first person one kissed in the New Year would bring good luck for the rest of the year.

2. Champagne is the traditional drink of the New Year, and the traditional midnight toast is said to bring good luck.

3. The Romans named January after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and endings, who looks back into the past and forward to the future.

4. The superstition of finding a penny on New Year’s Day is said to bring good luck in the form of wealth and prosperity throughout the year.

5. In many cultures, the first visitors on New Year’s Day are believed to set the tone for the rest of the year, so it is traditional to invite friends and family to bring good luck.

Facts about new year’s resolutions

Here are some of the Interesting New years resolution:

1. Approximately 40-45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions.

2. The most popular resolutions are to exercise more, eat healthy, save money, and spend more time with family and friends.

3. The top three excuses for not keeping your resolutions are lack of motivation, lack of time, and lack of willpower.

4. It takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit.

5. Only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

6. The most successful resolutions are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.

7. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians.

8. New Year’s resolutions typically last an average of six weeks.

9. There is evidence that suggests that making New Year’s resolutions can lead to increased happiness and life satisfaction.

10. Studies show that people who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to achieve their goals than those who don’t.

Also read: 250+ New year’s resolution ideas 2024 (for kids, adults, family, work, teens)

New year’s history facts

Here are some New year’s eve history facts:

1. The earliest known celebration of the New Year dates back to 2000 BC in Mesopotamia.

2. The Romans celebrated the New Year on March 1 to honor Janus, the god of beginnings.

3. The Julian calendar was used until 46 BC when Julius Caesar introduced the Gregorian calendar.

4. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582 and it is still used today.

5. The Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different date each year and is based on the lunar calendar.

6. In Scotland, the New Year is traditionally celebrated with a celebration called Hogmanay.

7. In the United States, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a ball drop in New York City’s Times Square.

8. The ancient Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year with a festival called Akitu.

9. In Ethiopia, the New Year is celebrated on September 11th and is known as Enkutatash.

10. The Jewish New Year is known as Rosh Hashanah and is celebrated on the first day of the Jewish month of Tishrei.

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Facts about new year’s day

Here is a list of some Good New year’s day facts:

1. In the United States, New Year’s Day is a federal holiday.

2. It is traditional to make New Year’s resolutions on New Year’s Day.

3. Toasts, fireworks, and parades are popular New Year’s Day activities.

4. The world’s largest New Year’s celebration is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

5. In the Philippines, the New Year is celebrated with a parade of lanterns.

6. In Mexico, New Year’s Day is celebrated with a firework display that lasts for 24 hours.

7. In Scotland, New Year’s Day is known as Hogmanay and is celebrated with a traditional first-footing ceremony where the first visitor to enter a home on New Year’s Day is believed to bring good luck.

8. In some parts of India, New Year’s Day is celebrated with a “Kite Festival.”

9. In Ethiopia, the New Year is celebrated on September 11th and is known as “Enkutatash.”

10. In the Netherlands, the New Year is celebrated with a giant bonfire known as “Oud en Nieuw.”

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New year’s eve facts around the world

The following are some New year’s eve facts around the world:

1. In Spain, it’s traditional to eat 12 grapes at midnight, each to represent the 12 months of the year.

2. In the Netherlands, people drop pieces of ice into the water at midnight to symbolize the end of the year.

3. In Japan, the Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times at midnight to symbolize the 108 sins of humanity.

4. In Germany, people open the windows and doors at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in.

5. In the Philippines, people wear polka dots and bright colors to bring luck in the new year.

6. In the Czech Republic, people throw a doll (often made of straw or old clothes) out of the window to symbolize the old year leaving.

7. In Denmark, people jump off chairs at midnight as a symbol of leaving the old year behind.

8. In Russia, people write their wishes down on a piece of paper and burn it to symbolize their hopes for the new year.

9. In the United Kingdom, people often sing the song “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight.

10. In Brazil, people wear white clothing to symbolize peace and hope for the new year.

Chinese new year facts

Here is a list of some interesting chinese new year facts:

1. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival.

2. Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days.

3. The celebration of Chinese New Year starts from the first day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

4. Red is the main color used to decorate and celebrate Chinese New Year as it symbolizes luck and prosperity.

5. The beginning of Chinese New Year is marked with a special dinner that includes fish, dumplings and spring rolls.

6. Firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits during Chinese New Year celebrations.

7. Families exchange gifts and red envelopes filled with money during Chinese New Year.

8. The Lantern Festival marks the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations.

9. The traditional Chinese New Year greeting is “Gong Xi Fa Cai” which means “wish you be prosperous”.

10. On Chinese new year, people avoid washing their hair as it’s believed to wash away good luck.

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Experienced Psychology and philosophy Writer, self-help and relationship Coach and thought influencer. He has 7 years of experience in Personal development industry. His expertise as a self-help and relationship Coach has been highlighted through his articles in medium and substack to name a few. To be updated with his latest work, connect with him by following his social media accounts.

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