There are special New Year’s traditions all around the world. In the United States we often celebrate the New Year with friends and family. We have a countdown when it gets close to midnight on December 31st of each year and with noisemakers and (normally) embraces, we wish one another a Happy Healthy New Year.

In some locations around the country there are fireworks and other celebratory festivities. Many families share special meals or customs, intended to bring good luck.

Depending on your geographic location and the religion and customs you follow, you may celebrate the New Year at different times of the year and in very different ways. Diwali is the Hindu “Festival of Lights” which celebrates the New Year. It is India’s most important holiday. This holiday falls in either October or November depending on the cycle of the moon.

Songkran is the Thai New Year’s national holiday and is on the 13th of April every year. The Chinese or Lunar New year is an annual 15-day festival in China and Chinese communities around the world that begins with the new moon which occurs sometime between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars.

In the Jewish religious calendar, the New Year begins on Rosh Hashana, the first day of the month of Tishri, which falls between September 6 and October 5.

You can learn more about a variety of cultures and traditions by taking a look at these and other books and electronic resources offered at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

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