New Year’s Day 2026
The global celebration marking the beginning of a new calendar year
About New Year’s Day 2026
New Year’s Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar. In 2026, this global celebration will mark the beginning of a new calendar year and is typically celebrated with fireworks, parties, and resolutions for the year ahead.
As one of the oldest and most universally observed celebrations, New Year’s traditions vary widely across cultures but share the common theme of reflecting on the past year and looking forward to new beginnings.
When & Where
Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time: 12:00 AM local time (varies by time zone)
Location: Worldwide, celebrated in different time zones as the clock strikes midnight
Major celebrations typically take place in iconic locations such as Times Square in New York, Sydney Harbour in Australia, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. In 2026, New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday, making it part of a potential long weekend for many people worldwide.
Key Celebrations & Events
- New York City’s Times Square Ball Drop – one of the most iconic New Year’s celebrations worldwide
- Sydney’s spectacular fireworks display over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
- London’s fireworks along the River Thames and the London Eye
- Tokyo’s ringing of the bells at Buddhist temples (Joya no Kane)
- Rio de Janeiro’s beach celebrations and fireworks at Copacabana Beach
Interesting Facts
- The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used civil calendar in the world, with New Year’s Day on January 1st, though many cultures celebrate their New Year on different dates.
- The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians who made promises to their gods at the start of each year.
- The iconic Times Square Ball Drop tradition began in 1907 and has been held annually since then, except in 1942 and 1943 due to World War II.
- In Scotland, the New Year celebration is called “Hogmanay” and often involves first-footing, where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings gifts for luck.
- Spanish tradition involves eating 12 grapes at midnight, one with each bell strike, for good luck in each month of the coming year.