Customs for expressing New Year’s greetings vary enormously from country to country and culture to culture. While we have just entered 2026 according to the civil calendar, the festivities you have observed around the world are incredibly diverse. This variety is not a coincidence: it is the result of a complex mix of astronomy, religion, history, and geography.
In Europe
France
New Year’s Greetings: We kiss under the mistletoe at midnight, toast with champagne, and exchange greeting cards in January.
Typical greeting: « Happy New Year! Health, happiness, and prosperity! » »
Spain
The 12 grapes: At midnight, 12 grapes are eaten, one for each of the 12 strokes of the clock, each grape representing a month of the coming year.
Wishes: “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!”
Italy
Lentils and grapes: Lentils (a symbol of wealth) and grapes are eaten for good luck.
Wishes: “Buon Anno!” »
Germany
Fireworks and lead: Fireworks are set off, and molten lead is poured into water to predict the future (Blei gießen).
New Year’s greetings: « Frohes Neues Jahr! »
Greece
Hanging onion: An onion is hung on the door on New Year’s Eve, a symbol of rebirth.
In Asia
Japan
Joya no Kane: Buddhist temples ring their bell 108 times at midnight to banish sins.
New Year’s greeting cards (Nengajō): Sent for the New Year, often featuring animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Wishes: « 明けましておめでとうございます (Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu) »
In China
Lunar New Year: The house is cleaned to ward off bad luck, red envelopes (hóngbāo) containing money are given, and symbolic dishes (such as dumplings) are eaten.
In China New Year’s Greetings: « 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) »
Thailand
Songkran: The Thai New Year (mid-April) is celebrated by splashing each other with water for purification and good fortune.
In America
United States
Midnight Kiss: People kiss at midnight for good luck. Resolutions: Making New Year’s resolutions is very popular.
New Year’s Greetings: « Happy New Year! » »
Brazil
Offerings to Yemanjá: Flowers and gifts are thrown into the sea for the water goddess. New Year’s greeting: « Feliz Ano Novo! »
Mexico
Suitcase and underwear: People walk around the block with a suitcase, and wear red underwear for love or yellow underwear for wealth.
In Africa
Ethiopia
Enkutatash: The New Year (September 11) is celebrated with songs, dances, and flowers.
South Africa
Braai: Barbecues are held with family or friends for New Year’s Eve.
Other unusual traditions
In Denmark: Dishes are smashed against friends’ doors to ward off evil spirits.
In Colombia: People run around the block with a suitcase to travel during the year.
In Russia: A wish is written on a piece of paper, burned, and the ashes are placed in a glass of champagne to drink.