Have you ever wondered how New Years is celebrated around the world? Well, in this newspaper you’ll find everything.

The US

In the great US, families and friends gather around to have a feast and “Ring in” often with a toast or a song. They also enjoy watching New Year’s festivities at Times Square in New York City. New Year’s Day (January 1st) is a national holiday in the United States. So that’s why 92% of Americans celebrate New Years. Imagine a huge family party, there would be so many people. It would be chaos.

The UK

In the UK, just before midnight on New Years Eve, people hold hands and sing a traditional song called “Auld Lang Syne” They count the seconds to the new year and when it suddenly becomes the new year, people hug and wish each other a happy new year. Others sometimes set off fireworks into the night sky. Would you love to sing in the New Year?

This writer’s home country, Albania

In Albania, we have dinners and have meals like byrek, turkey, salad and others. People stay awake until the new year and count the seconds until the year. When it strikes midnight, people wish each other a happy new year.

On January 1st, people have lunch with other family members like aunts, uncles, cousins and others. This is a real family event.

Canada

Many people start the new year with parties to welcome the year. Those parties are at bars, clubs and homes. However, in rural areas, some people spend the night fishing with groups of friends. Canadian’s favourite dish in the new year is long-noodles to promise a long life just like the long noodles! Fishing at night?! That sounds so strange. What would you think of that?

Spain

In Spain, the streets fill with people, music playing and cars honking their horns to greet the new year. There are also celebrations at bars and clubs. Many hotels organise special New Year Eve celebrations including dinner, dancing and entertainment, and grapes.

The 12 grapes people eat under the table match the 12 chimes which represent the 12 months of the year. Is this how your family celebrates New Years?

Japan

One of the traditional ways to celebrate New Years is Hatsumode or the first shrine visit of the new year. Many Japanese go to visit a shrine on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd to pay their respects and also wish for a happy and healthy year. The shrines get very crowded and families go altogether because everyone wants to have a happy and healthy year. So traditional, what would you think?

There are different ways people celebrate New Years. How do you celebrate New Years? This reporter thinks the clear message is to be with the people you love and who make you happy at this special time.