New Year's Eve celebrations around the world
In the past I spent NYE and a good half of New Year's day celebrating with my friends, but I made an exception to welcome 2011 with my family yesterday. It was a quiet affair, we ate dinner and watched The Karate Kid to pass time until it was midnight.
At 12am, we watched the fireworks display held at Sydney Harbour on TV together. The display was amazing as always, with each year showing off a fresh and rejuvinating start to the new year.
Even though everyone celebrates NYE differently I still find it amazing that on NYE people around the world will unite to celebrate for the same cause.
In Austria
At midnight, television and radio stations broadcast the sound of the bells ringing from St. Stephen's Cathedral followed by The Blue Danube.
In Brazil
Copacabana beach displays one of the best NYE fireworks in the world. It is believed that wearing white on NYE will bring you good luck in the new year.
In Canada
Celebration with fireworks at midnight.
In China
Gregorian New Year celebration with fireworks. The Lunar New Year celebrations are held around February each year.
In Denmark
Kransekake/ ring cake is eaten at dinner. At 6pm, television and radio broadcasts the New Year message from the royal family. At midnight, the Town Hall clock in Copenhagen sounds, marking the beginning of 2011.
In England
As The Big Ben just happens to be a clock, NYE in London is centred primarily around it, the clock tower also perfectly symbolises the theme of time and transition into a new year.
In France
Feast on foie gras and champagne with family and friends, or at a ball. Watch the fireworks around The Eiffel Tower.
In Germany
In Berlin, celebrations focus around the Brandenburg Gate.
Image courtesy of Thomas Wolf
In India
Live concerts and gatherings with friends and family. Gateway of India is a popular spot for young people to gather and celebrate.
In Italy
At 8:30pm, televisions broadcast new year's message from the President. At midnight, fireworks are displayed. Traditional new year's rituals include wearing red underwear and throwing old belongings out the window, symbolic of a new beginning.
In Japan
Families gather for dinner and watch the annual New Year's Eve music concert. During the day, the house is cleaned to prepare for a new year.
In Poland
New Year's Eve concert at Krakow Main Market Square and fireworks at midnight. Zakopane ski resort (aka "The winter capital of Poland") is a popular location for people who wish to spend a more peaceful NYE.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia user Micgryga.
In Russia
At 11.55pm televisions broadcast the President's new year's speech or watch popular NYE tv shows. At 12 seconds to midnight, the bells of the Kremlin ringing 12 times are broadcasted on TV and radio. During the 12 seconds people make their new year's wishes
In Switzerland
Generally NYE is spent celebrating with friends while Christmas is spent with family. Celebration with fireworks at midnight.
In Turkey
New Year's eve TV programs are broadcast. Outdoor concerts and family friendly events are held, one of the traditional events being performances by the Ottoman military band.
Image courtesy of Michal Manas
In the USA
At 11:59 a crystal ball (Waterford rather than Swarovski) is lowered from 23m above Times Square, landing on the ground at exactly midnight - a 100 year tradition. During 1981 - 1988 an apple was used instead of a ball.
Image courtesy of Hunter Kahn
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