New Year's Day, January 1, marks the beginning of the year on the Gregorian calendar. It is a public holiday in nearly every country in the world.
The January 1 New Year was first established by Julius Caesar's reform of the Roman calendar in 45 BC. Before that, the Roman year began in March. Medieval Christian Europe variously used Christmas Day, March 25, or Easter as the year-start. The Gregorian reform of 1582 standardized January 1 across Catholic countries, with Protestant countries adopting it gradually — Britain only switched in 1752.
Fireworks and bell-ringing at midnight on December 31 are nearly universal. Family meals, parades, and New Year's resolutions are common. In Spain, twelve grapes are eaten one per chime at midnight. In Scotland, "first-footing" (first visitor of the year) brings symbolic gifts. In Japan, the New Year (Shōgatsu) extends over three days with shrine visits and family gatherings.
Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas) in the US South. Twelve grapes in Spain. Cotechino and lentils in Italy. Pickled herring in Scandinavia. Osechi-ryōri in Japan. Long noodles for longevity in many Asian cultures.
"Happy New Year" · "Selamat Tahun Baru" · "Feliz Año Nuevo" · "Bonne Année" · "Frohes Neues Jahr" · "Akemashite Omedetō" · "Xīnnián kuàilè"
Nearly all offices, banks, and government services close. Many countries also observe January 2 (Scotland, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Romania). Public transport often runs holiday schedules on Dec 31 evening and Jan 1.