New Year

New Year is the day or period marking the start of a fresh annual cycle according to a particular calendar system. A calendar is a system for counting days, months, and years. Because calendar systems vary, the date of New Year differs across cultures.

In the Gregorian calendar, which is the most widely used for official and commercial purposes globally, New Year falls on January 1. Many countries have declared this day a public holiday. Other traditions—such as those based on lunar calendars or combined lunar-solar systems—observe different dates.

Gregorian New Year

The Gregorian calendar derives from a reform of the Julian calendar. The year ends on December 31 and begins on January 1. Common customs include celebrations and gatherings held on the evening of December 31, and the lighting of lights at midnight. Businesses and government bodies use this time to close their annual accounts.

Islamic Calendar

The Hijri calendar is lunar-based, and its year is approximately ten days shorter than the solar year. The Islamic New Year begins on 1 Muharram. Because the lunar year is shorter, the date shifts earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. Somalia and other Muslim-majority countries observe this date, though it is not marked by celebrations on the scale of January 1.

Other Calendars

Many cultures have their own distinct new year. The Chinese New Year, for example, follows a lunisolar calendar and occurs sometime between late January and mid-February. Nowruz (Persian New Year) is celebrated at the spring equinox. Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church use their own calendar, in which the year begins in the month of Meskerem.

Social Customs and Meaning

The start of the year is typically accompanied by customs marking renewal: personal resolutions, family travel, and financial reports issued by institutions. Governments often use New Year to enact censuses, budgets, or new legislation taking effect on that date.