How to celebrate the New Year in different countries

Everyone is used to celebrating the New Year in their own way, with their own traditions and customs. In this post, we will tell you about how the New Year is celebrated in different countries of the world.

How to celebrate the New Year in Turkey

In Turkey, the New Year is celebrated on January 1. The tradition of celebrating the New Year in Turkey is quite common. Turkey is a secular state and it is not forbidden to decorate a Christmas tree there, but for religious reasons it is not accepted. Basically, the winter holiday is celebrated only in the big cities of Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and others.)

You will not find olivier or a fur coat on the New Year's table in Turkey, they prepare mainly traditional dishes such as kebab, sujuk, pilaf, kokorech, kefte, sliced vegetables, fruits and various sweets.

How to celebrate the New Year in China

The Chinese New Year, or, as it is also called, the Lunar New Year, lasts for the first fifteen days of the Chinese lunar calendar, begins between January 21 and February 21. The traditional New Year on January 1 is not celebrated in China. The holiday includes a lot of street decorations, parades, traditions and festivities. A few days before the new year, the Chinese clean houses, welcoming the spring holiday.

The bell is a Chinese tradition, a symbol of the Chinese New Year. New Year's Chinese dinner is a family reunion time. Fish is usually served on the table, in some other regions dumplings, tofu and soy curd.

How to celebrate the New Year in America

In America, the New Year is traditionally celebrated on January 1st. Americans like to celebrate the New Year with their family, as well as in restaurants or nightclubs. At exactly midnight, after the bells ring, fireworks and champagne corks fly into the air. Shouts of joy and car horns announce the arrival of the New Year.

Americans decorate the Christmas tree on November 26 - Thanksgiving Day. Baked meat, turkey and steaks are very often found on the New Year's table in America.

How to celebrate the New Year in Thailand

Thailand celebrates three new years: the traditional European one is celebrated from December 31 to January 3. Thai New Year is celebrated in April, called Songkran. Also, many Thais celebrate the Chinese New Year. For Thais, a winter holiday is a night of festivities and gatherings on the beach.

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated for three days, mainly lasting from April 13th to 15th. This is the most important royal holiday among Buddhists, known as "splashing with water" – the tradition of spraying people with water develops into fascinating water fights.

Thais celebrate the European New Year by decorating a Christmas tree and celebrating with their family. Classic Thai dishes can be found on the New Year's table: tom yam soup, pad thai noodles and many others.

How to celebrate the New Year in the UAE

In the UAE, the New Year is celebrated on January 1 mainly in clubs and restaurants, the winter holiday lasts for the first two weeks of January and begins with a wide feast.

A distinctive feature of the New Year celebrations in the Emirates is a world-class fireworks display with a huge countdown clock projected on the facade of the Burj Khalifa Tower.

There is no single New Year celebration in the United Arab Emirates, everyone celebrates at their discretion, but you need to follow the rules: only tourists are allowed to drink alcohol on the territory of a hotel or restaurant, and even then, not in all emirates. Swimming in the sea after sunset is strictly prohibited!

Celebrate the New Year with your loved ones! Share your impressions and photos from the winter holiday! Happy New Year!🥂