New Year's Eve 277922 223810826 2008-07-05T22:44:01Z Plasticup 2666389 clean up, Replaced: January 1st → [[January 1]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{for|other articles with similar names|New Year (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox Holiday | |holiday_name=New Year's Eve |image= |caption=Sydney is well known for its New Year's Eve celebrations |nickname=[[Hogmanay]] ([[Scotland]]), [[Silvester]] ([[Austria]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Germany]], [[Hungary]], [[Israel]], [[Poland]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Ukraine]]), [[Réveillon]] ([[Brazil]]) |observedby=People around the world |date=[[December 31]], climaxing at midnight |celebrations=Reflections, Late-Night Partying, Family- Gatherings, Feasting, Present Exchanges, Fireworks |type=International |significance=The final day of the [[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]] year |relatedto=[[New Year's Day]] and [[Christmas Day]] }} [[Image:London fireworks.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Fireworks marking the new year in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]]]] '''New Year's Eve''' is on [[December 31]], the final day of the [[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]] year, and the day before [[New Year's Day]]. New Year's Eve is a separate observance from the observance of [[New Year's Day]]. In modern [[Western culture|Western]] practice, New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight. Many cultures use [[fireworks]] and other forms of noise making in part of the celebration. Some of the cities most well-known for their celebrations include [[Edinburgh]], [[Sydney]], [[Toronto]], [[Moscow]], [[Tokyo]], [[Hong Kong]], [[London]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Berlin]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Paris]], and [[New York City]]. New Year's Eve is a public non-working [[holiday]] in the following countries, among others: [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[Mexico]], [[Greece]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Venezuela]]. ==Localized celebrations== ===Australia {{flagicon|AUS}}=== {{seealso|Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve Fireworks}} Each major city around [[Australia]] holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. [[Gloucester Park]], a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]. In [[Brisbane, Queensland|Brisbane]] 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the [[Brisbane River]] in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at [[South Bank, Queensland|Southbank]].<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Sydney New Year Fireworks-1-.jpg|thumb|right|New Year Fireworks In [[Sydney]] [[Australia]]]] --> The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]]. In [[Sydney]] the celebrations are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and effects on the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]]. Over 1.5 million people gathered around [[Sydney Harbour]] for the 2007-08 celebrations, making it the largest yet. The firework display was lauched from 7 barges on the water, 10 city buildings, the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]] and the [[Bradfield Highway]]. The display streched over 6km and lasted around 14-16 minutes making it the largest New Year's Eve firework display on the planet. Melbourne's New Year's Eve waterworks are set on from the Yarra river and from city rooftops. There is an average attendance of around 500,000 people. There was a game of poker occuring in Melbourne's Crown Casino where the loser of each round received a pie in the face. ===Brazil {{flagicon|BRA}}=== New Year's Eve (''Véspera de Ano Novo'') is one of the most exuberant holidays in Brazil. In most Brazilian cities, even those of medium size, there is a massive display of fireworks after midnight, and special musical shows. The most famous celebration is at the Copacabana Beach in [[Rio de Janeiro]], which has an average attendance of 2,500,000 people. The fireworks display last from 15 to 25 minutes and is followed by music shows set on several stages throughout the beach. In recent years, a display of fireworks has also been set-up in the [[Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas]] district. The city of [[São Paulo]] also has a famous worldwide event: the [[Saint Silvester Marathon]] (''Corrida de São Silvestre''), which traverses streets between Paulista Avenue and the downtown area. It is contested by athletes of many countries, including such Olympic stars as the [[Kenyan]] runner [[Paul Tergat]], who won it five times. ===Canada {{flagicon|CAN}}=== In Canada, New Year's traditions and celebrations vary from region to region. Generally, New Year's Eve (also known as New Year's Eve Day) in Canada is a social holiday, as in the neighbouring [[United States]]. In major metropolitan areas such as [[Toronto]], major celebrations with music and [[fireworks]] are often held at Midnight. In some areas, such as in rural Quebec, people ice fish and drink with their friends until the early hours of [[January 1]]. Traditions from other countries are also common due to Canada's cultural makeup. ===Denmark {{flagicon|DEN}}=== The [[Danish people|Danes]] usually celebrate New Year's Eve, or ''nytårsaften'' in [[Danish language|Danish]], with their families or, more commonly nowadays, with their close friends, with fireworks and champagne. The evening meal on New Year's Eve is often more exclusive, and often consists of three courses; traditional desserts include [[Marzipan]] ring cake (''Danish: kransekage, lit.: ring cake''). Danes often watch the Queen's New Year's Speech on television. The climax is when the clock on the [[Copenhagen City Hall]] reaches twelve, and the thousands of gathered people at the city square cheer and set off their fireworks. As in Germany the national television station [[DR1]] broadcasts [[Dinner for One]] (''in Danish: 90 års fødselsdagen (lit.: The 90<sup>th</sup> birthday))''. ===Ecuador {{flagicon|ECU}}=== Ecuador celebrates a unique tradition on the last day of the year. Elaborate effigies, called Años Viejos (Old Years) are created to represent people and events from the past year. Often these include political characters or leaders that the creator of the effigy may have disagreed with. The dummies are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes, with papier-mâché masks. Often they are also stuffed with fire crackers. At midnight the effigies are lit on fire to symbolize burning away of the past year and welcoming of the new year. The origin of the tradition is unknown, but is similar to that of the British [[Guy Fawkes Night]]. It is possible the tradition began after a yellow fever epidemic left many dead. The corpses were then disposed of by burning. Another well known tradition is the “[[Widow]]” who is usually a man dressed up as the widow of the Old Year effigy who has to make people laugh by pretending to cry. Then the people around will give this “widow” some sort of charity for her dying husband. Other rituals are performed for the [[health]], [[wealth]], [[prosperity]] and protection of each member. These [[rituals]] are the following: Twelve grapes: Each person eats twelve grapes before midnight, making a wish with each grape. Yellow underwear: One of the most popular traditions, yellow underwear are said to attract positive energies for the New Year. Suitcase: Walking around the block with the suitcase will bring the person the journey of their dreams. ===France {{flagicon|FRA}}=== The French call New Year's Eve ''la Saint-Sylvestre''. It is usually celebrated with a feast called ''le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre''. This feast customarily includes special dishes like [[foie gras]] and drinks like [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]]. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (''une soirée dansante''). On ''le Jour de l'An'' (New Year's Day), friends and family exchange [[New Year's resolutions]] and sometimes gifts. The holiday period ends on [[January 6]] for the [[Epiphany (Christian)|Epiphany]]. On this day, they traditionally enjoy a type of cake that varies depending on where you are in France. ===Germany {{flagicon|GER}}=== The Germans call the New Year's Eve ''Silvester''. Since 1972, each New Year's Eve, German television has broadcast a short video, ''[[Dinner for One]]'' in English. A punch line from the comedy sketch, "same procedure as every year", has become a catch phrase in Germany.<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/12/30/bvdinner30.xml | title = Gesundheit to an old favourite | author = Peake, Mike | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date= [[2006-12-30]] | accessdate = 2007-01-01 }}</ref> In Berlin the largest New Year's Eve celebration in all of Europe is celebrated by more than 1,000,000 people attending the festivities each year. A huge firework is started at the [[Brandenburg Gate]]. The Germans spend much money on firecrackers each year. ===Hong Kong {{flagicon|HKG}}=== In China, although the celebrations of the [[Lunar New Year]] are not until a few months into the new year, celebrations of the Gregorian New Year are still held in some areas. The [[Times Square (Hong Kong)|Times Square]] shopping mall in [[Hong Kong]] also holds their own send-off to the ball drop held at the [[Times Square]] in [[New York City]]. ===India {{flagicon|IND}}=== [[Image:Fireowrks India.JPG|thumb|right|New Year's Eve fireworks in India]] Most celebrations take place in the larger cities of India like [[Bangalore]], [[Delhi]], [[Chennai]], [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] and [[Mumbai]]. Events such as, live concerts and dances by [[bollywood]] stars, Families often get together to celebrate the New Year. ===Indonesia {{flagicon|INA}}=== Indonesian people often celebrate New Year's Eve spectacularly. The Local Government of [[Jakarta]] often holds a music show, a new year's countdown, and fireworks party in New Year's Eve celebration. The events often held in [[Monumen Nasional]], [[Taman Impian Jaya Ancol]], and [[Taman Mini Indonesia Indah]]. In [[Bandung]], people celebrates New Year's Eve in Dago openfield and Pasupati Bridge, with their families, siblings, or their friends. Trumpet and [[Fireworks]] is the most important things for Indonesian people to celebrate their new year's eve. ===Ireland {{flagicon|IRL}}=== [[Dublin]] has a big New Year's celebration. The display is along the [[River Liffey]]. Fireworks are launched from boats in the Liffey or alongside the river. Other major cities in Ireland such as [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Limerick]], [[Galway]] and [[Waterford]] have large New Year's celebrations. [[Tallaght]] has a major un-organised display for New Year's Eve. ===Japan {{flagicon|JPN}}=== {{main|Ōmisoka}} The day is a preparation day to welcome ''toshigami'' (年神), new year's god. Therefore, traditionally, people clean their home and prepare [[Kadomatsu]] and/or [[Shimenawa]] to welcome the god before New Year's Eve. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times <ref name=telegraph/> on midnight, during 31 December to 1 January. This bell rings are called as ''joya no kane'' (除夜の鐘) in Japanese which means "bell rings on new year eve's night." Each bell rings represent 108 elements of ''bonnō'' (煩悩), defilements, or [[Kilesa]] in [[Sanskrit]], which is said people have in their mind. The bells are rung to repent 108 of the ''bonnō''. On TV, the [[Kōhaku Uta Gassen|Red and White Year-end Song Festival]] is an over 50-year-old tradition involving a singing contest between male and female teams of celebrity singers. ===Lebanon {{flagicon|LBN}}=== In Lebanon, people celebrate the New Year's Eve by the use of firearms, and by watching or going to expansive celebrations where singers are present. Family meetings are also organized. People also go to clubs, restaurants and bars.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} ===Mexico {{flagicon|MEX}}=== Mexicans down a grape with each of the twelve chimes of the bell during the New Year countdown, while making a wish with each one. On New Year's Eve, those who want to find love in the new year wear red underwear and yellow if they want money.<ref name=telegraph/> Other traditions include sweeping the dirt out, taking luggage outside as a symbol of future trips, hanging sheep dolls (mainly made out of wool) in the doorknob for prosperity, among others. The celebrations are very similar to those of Spain (see below). They make dolls out of old clothes ===New Zealand {{flagicon|NZL}}=== [[Auckland]] is 496.3 kilometres west of the [[International Date Line]] and thus is the first major city to see the beginning of the new year, however it is [[Gisborne]] that is the first city in the world to see the first sun rise for the year. In common with many other places it celebrates this with large street parties and fireworks displays. Elsewhere in [[New Zealand]], local councils usually organise parties and street carnivals and fireworks displays. In recent years however, liquor bans have been imposed on many of the more popular areas due to disorder, vandalism and other anti-social behaviours. During the day of New Year's Eve, in recent years, [[New Zealand cricket team|The Black Caps]] have played a One Day International cricket game in [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]]. ===Philippines {{flagicon|PHI}}=== [[Filipino people|Filipinos]] usually celebrate New Year's Eve with the company of family and close friends. Traditionally, most households stage a dinner party named ''Media Noche'' in their homes. Typical dishes include [[pancit]], ''Hamon'' and if the family could afford it, [[Lechon]], which is usually considered as the centerpiece of the dinner table. Barbecued food is also an integral part of the menu. Most [[Filipino people|Filipinos]] follow a set of traditions that are typically observed during New Year's Eve. Included among these traditions is the customary habit of wearing clothes with circular patterns like polka dots, this signifies the belief that circles attract money and fortune. Traditions also include the serving of circularly-shaped fruits, shaking of coins inside a metal casserole while walking around the house, jumping high which is believed to cause an increase in physical height and making loud noises to drive away "evil" spirits among others. Households also spend money to buy [[firecracker]]s and [[pyrotechnic]]s that would be ignited at the strike of midnight. Cities in [[urban areas]] are usually host to many New Year's Eve parties and countdown celebrations which are usually hosted by the private sector with the help of the local government. Notable parties include [[GMA Network]]'s party at the Plaza Sulayman of Baywalk in [[Manila]]. These parties usually display their own fireworks spectacle. ===Russia and Former Soviet Union {{flagicon|RUS}}=== In Russia and former Soviet Union, New Year has the same cultural significance as Christmas has in the United States, but without the religious connotations. Russian and Ukrainian families traditionally install at home [[spruce]] trees, the equivalent of a Christmas tree. In Eastern European beliefs the parallel of Santa Claus, there is the [[Ded Moroz]], who looks similar to Santa Claus, except he wears robes, and instead of reindeer, he is pulled by a ''troika'' (i.e. a three-horse drawn [[sled]]). Families gather eating a large feast and reflecting on the past year. They have a large celebration, make toasts, and make wishes for a happy New Year. Presents are given on New Year's Eve to those the family knows, even if not close to the family. This is due to Russians being a closely-knit community, and it is seen as a taboo to not give presents to those the family associates with. Children stay up until midnight, waiting for the New Year. Also, during these celebrations many Russians tune to special New Year shows, which have become a long-standing tradition for the Russian TV. New Year is often considered a "Pre-Celebration" for the Eastern Orthodox living in Eastern Europe, primarily in Russian and Ukraine, since Christmas is celebrated on January 6 according to the Eastern Orthodox tradition. ===Spain {{flagicon|ESP}}=== [[Image:Nochevieja puertadelsol 2006.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The ''Puerta Del Sol'' in 2005 New Year's Eve]] Spanish New Year's Eve (''Nochevieja'', or ''Fin de Año'') celebrations usually begin with a family dinner, traditionally including [[shrimp]] and [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] or [[turkey (bird)|turkey]]. Spanish people believe that wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve brings good luck. The actual [[countdown]] is primarily followed from the [[clock]] on top of the [[Casa de Correos]] building in [[Puerta del Sol]] square in [[Madrid]]. It is traditional to eat [[Twelve Grapes|twelve grapes]], one on each [[chime]] of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in [[Alicante]] thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and [[toast (honor)|toast]] with [[sparkling wine]] such as [[cava]] or [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]], or alternatively with [[cider]]. After the family dinner and the grapes, many young people attend New Year [[party|parties]] at [[pub]]s, [[discotheque]]s and similar places (these parties are called ''cotillones de nochevieja'', after the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word ''cotillón'', which refers to party supplies like [[confetti]], [[party blower]]s, [[party hat]]s, etc.). Parties usually last until the next morning and range from small, personal celebrations at local [[bar (establishment)|bars]] to huge parties with guests numbering the thousands at [[hotel]] [[convention room]]s. Early next morning, party attendees usually gather to have the traditional winter [[breakfast]] of ‘’chocolate con [[churro]]s’’ ([[hot chocolate]] and [[frying|fried]] [[pastry]]). ===Sweden{{flagicon|SWE}}=== In [[Sweden]], New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with families or with friends. People usually eat a nicer dinner, often three courses. From the age of 18, Swedes are allowed to buy fireworks, though firecrackers have been banned. The tradition is to light the fireworks at midnight and celebrate it with champagne and a [[skål]] (eng. ''cheers''). ===Taiwan {{flagicon|ROC}}=== [[Image:2008TaipeiCityNewYearCountdownParty Firework Taipei101.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Taipei 101]] New Year's fireworks, 2008, it is the rare fireworks on a [[skyscraper]] in the world, [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]].]] Many people in Taiwan celebrate the end of the year with concerts in most of the cities and recently using a big screen on the stage to communicate with cities around the island by shouting Happy New Year to each other. The most crowded city is the capital [[Taipei]] where most people gather around [[Taipei 101]] located in the shopping and financial area. People gather around the roads around [[Taipei 101]] and together they shout from 10 to zero. With each number they count, one of the layers of Taipei 101 (eight floors per layer) lights up until zero, the fireworks shoot out from the top of each layer (8 layers excluding a layer under the antenna) in different directions. ===Turkey {{flagicon|TUR}}=== Numerous decorations and customs traditionally associated with [[Christmas]] and [[Bayram]]s find a secular translation in [[Turkey|Turkish]] New Year's Eve celebrations, where homes and streets are lit up in glittering lights, ornamented trees, and garlands as well as various traditional Turkish aesthetic practices. Small gifts are exchanged, and large family dinners are organized with family and friends, featuring roast [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]], a special [[Zante currant]]-[[pimento]]-[[dill]] [[pilaf|iç pilav]] dish, [[dolma]], hot [[börek]], [[hummus]], [[musakka]] and various other [[Turkish cuisine|eggplant dishes]], topped with warm [[pide]], [[salep]] and [[boza]]. Television and radio channels are known to continuously broadcast a variety of special New Year's Eve programs, while [[Municipality|Municipalities]] all around the country organize fundraising events for the poor, in addition to celebratory public shows such as concerts and family-friendly events, as well as more traditional forms of entertainment such as the [[Karagöz]] and [[Hacivat]] [[shadow theatre|shadow-theater]] and even performances by the [[Mehter]] - the [[Janissary]] Band that was founded during the days of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Public and private [[party|parties]] with large public attendances are organized in a number of cities and towns, particularly in the largest metropolitan areas such as [[Istanbul]], [[Ankara]], [[Izmir]], [[Adana]] and [[Antalya]], with the biggest celebrations taking place in Istanbul's [[Taksim]], [[Beyoğlu]], [[Nişantaşı]] and [[Kadıköy]] districts and Ankara's [[Kızılay Square]], which generally feature dancing, concerts, laser and lightshows as well as the traditional countdown and fireworks display. ===United Kingdom {{flagicon|GBR}}=== In Scotland it is customary to wait until the cannon is fired at Edinburgh Castle, this is a sign that the new year has begun. There are also major celebrations across [[Scotland]] where it is known as [[Hogmanay]]. The traditional song [[Auld Lang Syne]] was written by [[Robert Burns]], a Scottish poet. There are large street parties held in the major cities and [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]] are particularly renowned for their celebrations. The Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party is attended by people from all over the world. [[London]]'s celebrations are the world's most covered, claimed by many to be the greatest public display of all the world's new year celebrations, with a £10 million firework display and pyrotechnics event, seen across the entire city. Since the construction of the [[London Eye]], it has been the centre-point of a huge ten-minute fireworks display each year, illuminated with coloured lasers. At the start of 2005, fireworks were launched from the wheel itself for the first time. Other large cities in Britain such as [[Liverpool]], [[Leeds]], [[Manchester]], and [[Birmingham]] all have large celebrations. ===United States {{flagicon|USA}}=== [[Image:Day122ccountdownbb.JPG|right|thumb|230px|Countdown 2006 in NYC]] In the [[United States]], New Year's Eve is a major social [[holiday]]. One of the top destination cities for New Year's Eve from 2003 to 2006 has been New York, according to hotwire.com. [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-26-2006/0004496716&EDATE=] Las Vegas is also attracting a large number of New Year's Eve party goers with the famous Las Vegas strip being closed to vehicles and buses. In the past 100 years the "[[Times Square Ball|ball dropping]]" on top of [[One Times Square]] in [[New York, New York|New York City]], broadcast to all of America (and rebroadcast in many other countries), is a major component of the New Year celebration. The 1,070-pound, 6-foot-diameter [[Waterford crystal]] ball located high above [[Times Square]] is lowered, starting at 23:59:00 and reaching the bottom of its tower at the stroke of midnight (00:00:00).This is repeated for all four time zones in the continental US. It is sometimes referred to as "the [[big apple]]" like the city itself; the custom derives from the time signal that used to be given at noon in harbors. [[Image:Newyears2000.jpg|right|thumb|230px|5 seconds to 2000]] From 1981 to 1988, New York City dropped an enlarged apple in recognition of its nickname. Since 1972, [[Dick Clark (entertainer)|Dick Clark]] has hosted [[television|televised]] coverage of the event called ''[[Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve]]'', shown on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. From 1956 to 1976 on [[CBS]], [[Guy Lombardo]] (who died in 1977) and his Royal Canadians serenaded the United States from the ballroom of the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] on [[Park Avenue (Manhattan)|Park Avenue]] in [[New York, New York|New York City]]. The Royal Canadians continued on [[CBS]] until 1978, and '''''Happy New Year, America''''' replaced it in 1979, continuing until 1995. The song [[Auld Lang Syne]] has become a popular song to sing at midnight on New Year's Eve. ====Communities==== '''Religious Communities.''' Many religious communities have a tradition of New Year's Eve being known as "Watch Night." The faithful of the community congregate in worship services commencing New Year's Eve night and continuing past midnight into the new year. The Watch Night is a time for giving thanks for the blessings of the outgoing year and praying for divine favor during the upcoming year. Though held by some to have begun in the [[African American]] community, watch night can actually be traced back to a sect of [[Christianity|Christians]] known as the [[Moravian Church|Moravians]] who held the first Watchnight Service in [[Herrnhut]], [[Saxony]], in 1732. The practice was later adopted by [[John Wesley]], the founder of [[Methodism]]. Watch Night did take on special significance to [[African Americans]] on New Year's Eve 1862, however, as slaves eagerly awaited the arrival of [[January 1]], [[1863]] -- the effective date of the [[Emancipation Proclamation]]. This particular New Year's Eve became known as "Freedom's Eve."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/watchnight.asp |title=Watch Night |publisher=[[Snopes.com]] |date=[[2006-12-14]] |last=Mikkelson |first=Barbara |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> '''Singles Communities.''' Singles often feel very depressed and left out on New Years, because New Years is ''usually'' a couples event. Singles who attend traditional New Years Eve parties don't have anyone to dance with or to hug or kiss at midnight. Single ladies, for this reason, may find it convenient to go to the bathroom at this time rather than feel embarrassed.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ====Local celebrations==== Many cities in the [[United States|United States of America]] have their own local version of the celebration, even while keeping an eye on New York, and the New York-centric aspect of the holiday is diminishing. Many cities, echoing the New York tradition of [[ball drop]], also descend or lower an object (or an enlarged representation of an object) For example, big balloon drops are traditional at the Professionals Guild singles New Years Eve parties in Sacramento and in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can see the balloon drop at the end of [http://youtube.com/watch?v=S8ijndbRbZI this video.] In some communities the objects dropped have special local significance. [[Orange County, California]], [[Orange County, Texas]], and [[Orange County, New York]], both drop large [[Orange (fruit)|orange]]s ([[Orange County, Florida]], tried it briefly, but has since ceased doing so). There are also examples of things going up. In [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]] the countdown is done by raising the [[Space Needle]]'s elevator and launching fireworks up the side of the tower until both reach the top at midnight. {{further|[[List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve]]}} New Year's Eve is a major event in [[Las Vegas metropolitan area|Las Vegas, Nevada]], where the [[Las Vegas Strip]] is shut down as several hundred thousand people party. New Year's Eve is traditionally the busiest day of the year at [[Walt Disney World]] in Florida and [[Disneyland]] in California, where the parks stay open late and the usual nightly fireworks are supplemented by an additional New-Year's-Eve-specific show at midnight. In [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], another of the most popular New Year celebration venues in North America, similar crowds of hundreds of thousands gather in the [[French Quarter]], particularly on [[Bourbon Street|Bourbon]] and [[Canal Street, New Orleans|Canal Street]], to celebrate the New Year. Many cities also celebrate [[First Night]], a non-alcoholic family-friendly New Year's Celebration, generally featuring performing artists, community events, parades, and fireworks displays. First Night began in Boston in 1976 and is now found in over 60 cities nationwide. A similar celebration is [[Providence, Rhode Island]]'s [http://www.brightnight.org Bright Night Providence],and an artist run arts celebration that started when Providence's First Night went bankrupt in 2003. ====Random gunfire and unapproved fireworks use==== In several areas of the U.S., particularly major [[urban area]]s, New Year celebrations are punctuated by random [[celebratory gunfire]] which could potentially cause injuries and/or deaths. [[Police department]]s in many cities, aided by [[gun safety]] organizations, have attempted to crack down on this practice through technology [http://www.govtech.net/magazine/story.php?id=95683&issue=6:1996] [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2000/04-03shotspotter.mspx] and stiffer penalties {{waybackdate|site=http://www.bradycampaign.org/press/release.php?release=615|date=20050301214812}} [http://www.spss.com/dirvideo/richmond.htm?source=dmpage&zone=rtsidebar]. A New Year's Eve tradition in [[Hawaii]] and other areas is the un-condoned use of [[fireworks]] by local residents. Local governments have begun to severely limit this practice in recent years for numerous reasons, including its effect on people with breathing problems, thrill-seeking but dangerous twists on fireworks use (e.g. hanging fireworks from power lines), and unintended fires. [[Legislation]] approved by the [[Hawaii State Legislature]] has implemented a system of permits for fireworks use, yet this system is still frequently circumvented by locals. ====Songs==== There are a few popular songs associated with New Year's Eve and it is common to hear them on the radio on, or shortly before, December 31. *"[[Auld Lang Syne]]" by [[Guy Lombardo]]. *"It Was A Very Good Year" by Frank Sinatra. *"It's Just Another New Year's Eve" by [[Barry Manilow]]. *"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" recorded by various singers, most of them female. *"Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg *"[[Happy New Year (song)|Happy New Year]]" by [[ABBA]] *"The New Year" by [[Death Cab For Cutie]] *"A Long December" by [[Counting Crows]] ===Venezuela {{flagicon|VEN}}=== In Venezuela, many of the traditions are very similar to the ones from Spain, with an over-emphasis in traditions who supposedly will bring good luck in the year forthcoming. Those who want to find love in the New Year are supposed to wear yellow underwear on New Year's Eve; those who want money must have a bill of high value when toast, those who want to travel must go out home while carrying some luggage, and so on. Usually, people listen to radio specials, which give a countdown and announce the New Year according to the legal hour in Venezuela, and, in [[Caracas]], following the twelve bells from the Cathedral of Caracas. During these special programs is a tradition to broadcast songs about the sadness on the end of the year, being popular favorites "Viejo año" ("Old year") by [[Gaita]] group [[Maracaibo 15]] and "Cinco pa' las 12" ("Five minutes before twelve") who was versioned by several popular singers like Nestor Zavarce, Nancy Ramos and [[José Luis Rodríguez El Puma]]. The unofficial hymn for the first minutes of the New Year is "Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva" ("New Year, New Life"), by the band Billo's Caracas Boys. ==See also== {{portalpar|Holidays|Snowflake icon.gif}} {{commonscat|New year celebrations}} {{wikinews|World celebrates new year for gregorian calendar}} {{wiktionarypar|Happy new year}} * [[New Year]] * [[New Year's Day]] * [[Chinese New Year]] * [[Norouz|Persian New Year]] * [[Ōmisoka]] (Japan) * [[Áramótaskaupið]] (Iceland) * [[First Night]] * [[Hogmanay]] * [[Malanka]] (Ukraine) * [http://thhe.dk/video.htm New Year Timelapse from Denmark] * [http://www.thecountdownclock.com/new-years-eve.asp New Year's Eve Countdown Clock] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:New Year celebrations]] [[Category:December observances]] [[Category:Winter holidays]] [[ca:Nit de cap d'any]] [[cs:Silvestrovské oslavy]] [[da:Nytårsaften]] [[de:Silvester]] [[es:Nochevieja]] [[eo:Silvestro]] [[fr:Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre]] [[id:Malam tahun baru]] [[it:Notte di San Silvestro]] [[he:סילבסטר]] [[ku:Sersal]] [[nl:Oudejaarsavond]] [[ja:大晦日]] [[nrm:Tchu dé l'An]] [[pl:Noc sylwestrowa]] [[simple:New Year's Eve]] [[sl:Silvestrovo]] [[fi:Uudenvuodenaatto]] [[th:วันสิ้นปี]] [[tr:Yılbaşı]] [[vls:Oudejoar]] [[zh:西曆除夕]]