Leslie Massey
New Year's celebrations are a global event, with different types of celebrations in different countries. Countries furthest to the west on a UK map are the last to ring in the New Year, with uninhabited islands southwest of Hawaii, such as Baker Island and Howland Island, being the last to see in 2025. The Pacific islands of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati are the first countries to welcome the New Year. In Europe, France and Austria celebrate the New Year before the UK, with Paris being an hour ahead of London. In Austria, New Year's Eve traditions include waltzing, giving good luck charms, and pouring molten lead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Zone | Austria (UTC+1); France (UTC+1) |
| First Country to Celebrate New Year | Kiribati, Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, and Chatham Islands, New Zealand |
| Traditions | Austria: Waltz, Sparkling Wine/Champagne, Fireworks; France: "Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre", Luxurious Dinner, Gourmet Food, Champagne |
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What You'll Learn
New Year's celebrations in Austria
Austria is one of the first countries to celebrate the New Year, along with France. Austrians ring in the New Year with friends and family. At the stroke of midnight, all radio and television programmes operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin, the bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, followed by the Donauwalzer ("The Blue Danube") by Johann Strauss II. Many Austrians dance to this, either at parties or in the street. Large crowds gather in the streets of Vienna, where the municipal government organises a series of stages where bands and orchestras play.
Austria's New Year celebrations also include waltzing, giving good luck charms, and pouring molten lead. At midnight, the bells of every church ring out across Austria, and the majestic “Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss fills the air, played on every radio station, TV channel, and in town squares. The Vienna New Year's Concert is a cultural highlight in the Viennese event calendar, featuring the works of the Strauss family and contemporaries. It is broadcast live and reaches more than 90 countries.
On New Year's Eve, Austrians enjoy a variety of dishes, including roast pork, carp, and lentil soup, which symbolise good fortune and prosperity for the coming year. A traditional breakfast on New Year's Day may include coffee, pastries, and Glücksschwein (marzipan pigs), also symbolising good luck. Austrians often drink champagne or sparkling wine to toast the New Year.
Fireworks are set off by both municipal governments and individuals. Vienna's entire inner city turns into a massive party zone on New Year's Eve, attracting up to one million people yearly. The Silvesterpfad ("New Year's Path") starts at 2 pm on December 31 and ends at 2 am on January 1.
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New Year's celebrations in France
France is one of the first countries to celebrate the New Year, as it falls under the UTC+1 time zone. The New Year's celebration in France begins on the evening of December 31 (le réveillon du jour de l’an) and continues through January 1 (le jour de l’an). It is a time for people to gather with their friends and family and welcome the New Year with excitement and cheer.
If you plan to celebrate New Year's Eve in France, Paris is a popular choice, with its ultimate street parties, light shows, and fireworks displays at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower. It is recommended to make reservations for popular activities in advance as it can get quite busy. Paris also offers a wide range of New Year's Eve dining options, from dinner cruises on the Seine river to famous Parisian cabarets and restaurants.
Other cities in France, such as Montpellier in the south, also offer lively celebrations. Montpellier's historic Old Town comes alive with music, street performances, and a festive atmosphere. It is known for its rich culinary scene, local traditions, and vibrant nightlife, making it a captivating place to ring in the New Year.
While there aren't many unique traditions specific to New Year's Eve in France, kissing under the mistletoe (le gui) and counting down to midnight are considered important ones. At the stroke of midnight, people kiss each other on the cheek two or four times (unless they are romantically involved). They also throw confetti and streamers, blow whistles, and generally make a lot of noise to welcome the New Year.
In terms of food, there is no single tradition for the French New Year's celebration. People may choose to serve anything from a formal meal to a buffet-style spread, but it is sure to be a feast. It is also customary to give monetary gifts called "les étrennes" to certain service workers, such as postal workers and deliverymen, during the holiday season.
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Countries that celebrate New Year first
The first place in the world to celebrate the New Year is Kiritimati, Kiribati, which is two hours ahead of the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, and a whole 13 hours ahead of London, England. The temperature in Kiribati is usually between 25-30 degrees Celsius on New Year's Eve, and people often go snorkelling, swimming, fishing, and golfing. People also gather at the public maneaba (meeting place) and dance, as music is a big part of Kiribati culture.
The next places to ring in the New Year are the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, and Sydney, Australia. Tonga and Samoa also celebrate the New Year before Eastern and Central Australia.
In Austria, New Year's Eve is celebrated with friends and family. At midnight, all radio and television programmes operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin, the bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, followed by "The Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss II, which people dance to in the street.
In France, New Year's Eve is called "Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre", and people celebrate with a luxurious dinner of gourmet foods like foie gras, oysters, seafood, and champagne.
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Kiribati
Located in the Central Pacific, Kiribati is the first country to welcome the New Year. The island nation comprises 33 atolls and reef islands scattered over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean. It is the only country with territory in all four hemispheres—northern, southern, eastern, and western.
The New Year celebrations in Kiribati are simple, heartfelt, and steeped in local traditions. The island's pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and unspoiled natural beauty provide a tranquil setting for reflection. People gather at the public maneaba (meeting place), where they dance and feast. The Kiribati temperature on New Year's Eve is usually between 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 Fahrenheit), which allows for snorkeling, swimming, fishing, and golfing.
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Traditions and customs
In Austria, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with friends and family. Austrians decorate their tables and prepare a variety of dishes, including fondue, soups, salads, and seasonal vegetables. They also drink sparkling wine or champagne. At midnight, all radio and television programmes operated by ORF broadcast the sound of the Pummerin, the bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, followed by "The Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss II. Many Austrians dance to this music at parties or in the streets. Large crowds gather in the streets of Vienna, where the municipal government organizes a series of stages for bands and orchestras to play. Fireworks are set off by both the government and individuals.
Another Austrian tradition is Bleigießen, or "lead pouring," a fortune-telling ritual that has been a part of Austrian New Year's celebrations for generations. Small pieces of lead are melted over a flame and then quickly poured into cold water, where they solidify into unique shapes. Austrians interpret these shapes and spark conversations about what they might signify for the upcoming year.
On New Year's Day, the classical New Year's concert by the Vienna Philharmonic takes place in Vienna and is broadcast live to over 90 countries. The concert features the works of the Strauss family and their contemporaries.
In France, New Year's Eve is known as "Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre" and is a time for joyous gatherings and festive traditions. Families and friends come together for a grand feast featuring delicacies such as oysters, foie gras, seafood, and champagne. The meal often extends into the early hours of the morning. At midnight, people exchange kisses and share warm wishes for the coming year. Some regions of France observe a tradition called "premier pied" or "first-footing," where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts like bread, salt, and champagne, believed to bring prosperity and good luck.
On New Year's Day, the French continue the celebrations with traditional pastries such as the Galette des Rois (King's Cake) and a bûche de Noël. They also embrace the tradition of making New Year's resolutions, focusing on personal and professional goals, health and wellness, and fostering positive changes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati are the first countries to ring in the New Year.
Austria celebrates New Year at midnight according to their local time zone.
Austrians have many New Year traditions, including waltzing, giving good luck charms, pouring molten lead, and drinking sparkling wine or champagne.
Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati are many hours ahead of Austria. For example, when it's midnight in Tonga, it's 4 am in Austria.
France is in the same time zone as Austria, so they celebrate New Year at the same time.
