Table of Contents
New Year is one of the most long-awaited holidays for children and adults. This magical time brings us an atmosphere of joy and impatience.
As a child, we sincerely believe that with the New Year coming, a fairy tale is rushing to us, with its real miracles and the fulfillment of all desires. It is crucial to feel like this now, especially since New Year’s holidays can be unforgettable, the main thing is to plan everything correctly! Make a wish, and the last days of the outgoing year as well as the first days of January will give you great joy and unbelievable fun.
Related: “The Best Places to Vacation This Winter“
Our New Year’s Eve article is about the best place to celebrate New Year 2023 with fun and pleasure!
New Year’s Traditions From Around the World
What a magical time New Year’s Eve is! The streets are ready to celebrate the winter holiday, Christmas trees delight the eye with bright decorations, and children and adults are looking forward to New Year’s holidays and gifts from Santa Claus.
New Year and Christmas are holidays that the whole world loves. However, each country has its traditions, which may seem unusual and funny to us.
Below, we have collected eight interesting facts about the celebration of New Year and Christmas in different parts of our planet.
Italy: Out with The Old Stuff!
In Italy, it is believed that entering the New Year, it is necessary to get rid of all old and unnecessary things. On New Year’s Eve, temperamental Italians throw old things right out of the windows of their houses. In the past, even broken furniture flew into the streets. Nowadays, you can be “bombarded” with old papers and small debris.
Sweden: Breaking Dishes and Dwarf
In the north of Europe, in Sweden, gifts are brought to children by a short bearded old man and a dwarf named Jultomten. Different animals, trolls, fairies, a prince with a princess, and even a Snow Queen help him.
Besides, Swedes are very fond of various fortune-telling. On New Year’s Eve, they smash plates on the neighbors’ doors. The smaller the fragments, the more happiness will come in the new year.
Japan: Pine Decorations and a Rake
Traditionally, all Japanese people diligently prepare for the New Year. They send postcards to family and friends, buy gifts, clean up the house, and visit holy places.
The main symbol of the Japanese New Year is the kadomatsu pine decoration. It is placed at the entrance to the house to protect it from evil spirits. The Japanese certainly decorate their homes with bamboo rakes, so they can rake in success, wealth, and happiness.
Korea: Christmas is The Time for Lovers
In Korea, locals celebrate a new year weekend and Christmas differently than in other countries. There is no tradition to gather the whole family at a festive table. Celebrating Christmas here is more like Valentine’s Day. Many people spend this time with their significant other, not with relatives: they go on dates in parks, cinemas, restaurants, or attractions. Singles mainly celebrate this holiday with friends or at home watching movies.
On a much larger scale, locals celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar — the period after the winter solstice. It starts in late January or early February. These days, Koreans remember ancient customs. They worship their ancestors, play national games, eat local cuisine, and even dress up in traditional hanbok costumes.
Turkey: Red Pomegranate on The Doorstep
On New Year’s Eve, the Turks smash a pomegranate on the doorstep — a local symbol of abundance. They also give this fruit to each other. The locals believe that luck will accompany them for the whole coming year.
All around on the streets on New Year’s Eve, you can see a lot of women in red clothes. For Turkish women, this old custom is a way to attract romance into their lives with the advent of the New Year. Those, who do not risk appearing in red in public, wear red underwear. It is believed that the red color will bring good luck for the whole next year.
Brazil: Make a Wish — Jump Into The Wave
In Brazil, summer is also in full swing at the end of December. Thus, locals used to celebrate the New Year on the beach. They are used to make wishes especially.
Brazilians wear white clothes, a symbol of purity, dive into the sea immediately after midnight, and jump over seven waves. With each jump, people make a wish.
Australia: Santa is Racing on a Surfboard
As in Brazil, New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Australia in the summer. Because of the hot weather, Santa does not wear a warm fur coat but wears only red swimming trunks, a beard, and a hat. Reindeer can’t stand the heat either, and you can’t sled without snow, so Santa Claus delivers gifts on a surfboard. Local children and adults greet him on the beach with shouts and fireworks.
Top 5 Places to Celebrate New Year in Europe
Here is a selection of the best place to celebrate New Years in Europe that will give you magnificent emotions and experience!
Italy, Rome
To find the best places to celebrate New Year, go to Italy. The locals love New Year and Christmas very much and celebrate these days on a grand scale. In addition, you can relax in the country relatively inexpensively (if you compare holidays in the Nordic countries).
Popular Italian cities to celebrate the holiday are Milan, Venice and Rome. How to celebrate it? You can spend an unforgettable time in thermal baths and spas, visit medieval castles and villas or go on a cruise. Besides, outdoor enthusiasts can choose ski resorts in Italy.
The weather in Rome on New Year’s Eve is almost always good. At the end of December, the temperature does not drop below +12° C, but it may be rainy. There is no snow in Rome, but one can see it sometimes in the Italian north. During the New Year holidays, you can enjoy sightseeing.
Prague
New Year’s Eve in the Golden City is a beautiful and unique event! If you want to have fun and are not afraid of the hustle and bustle, the famous Charles Bridge is one of the best places to watch the numerous midnight fireworks. The view from Prague Castle is even better. Moreover, remarkable places like large city squares, Wenceslas Square, or the market in the Old Town are popular among foreigners.
Finland
Where to celebrate New Year weekend and Christmas in Europe, if not in the homeland of Santa Claus? At the end of December, it is frosty outside, up to -15°C, and a lot of snow falls.
Modern tourists usually come to Finland to discover solitude and a winter fairy tale. One can rent a cottage and spend the New Year holidays going in for active sports — skiing and snowmobiling. Go to Lapland to see the northern lights there! Besides, here you can taste the local cuisine, and don’t forget to visit the residence of Joulupukki.
Spain
Tourists from all over the world come to Spain all year round, especially on Christmas Eve. The Spanish coast is one of the best New Year’s eve destinations for entertainment and relaxation.
The average temperature of water and air on the mainland reaches +15-18 °C. If you want to swim, go to the Canary Islands, where the real heat reigns. Here, locals and tourists swim in the Atlantic Ocean even in January.
What will you find in Spain? Head to this country and spend days at luxury hotels offering mind-blowing holiday programs with fireworks, exclusive dishes, and exciting entertainment.
The cities of Spain are a great place to walk on New Year’s Eve. Those narrow streets, steeped in the spirit of passion and bullfighting, are decorated with stunning architectural monuments. Here, one can find the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, St. James Cathedral, and the Royal Palace in Madrid. Besides, you will get an unforgettable experience if you visit Port Aventura, the most fantastic amusement park in Europe.
France, Paris
The French capital is beautiful 365 days a year, but on New Year’s Eve, this city turns into a fabulous place! You will remember the New Year with French cuisine and a view of the lights of the Eiffel Tower for the rest of your life. So, choose France as the best places in Europe for New Years celebrations!
Walk around the Champs-Elysees, or book a luxury cruise along the Seine on a themed liner with an evening dress code and an exquisite show program.
Fans of spectacular shows should visit local cabarets — for example, the famous Moulin Rouge to enjoy a first-class show program.
