New Year’s Celebrations To Come
Different Cultural New Years After January 1st
New Year’s Celebrations are an all-consuming global event with spectacular firework displays from almost every major capital city in the world, broadcast on TV, signaling the new calendar. A significant part of the world doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar and do not celebrate their new year on the 31st of December, but do so on alternate dates, in line with their own traditions and belief systems. I have outlined 5 well-known alternate new year celebrations below.
Late January To Early February: Chinese And East Asian Lunar New Year
The Chinese New Year is based on the Lunar Calendar and is referred to as the “Spring Festival” in China. It is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. Rooted in the Chinese lunar calendar, its date varies annually. Families gather to honour ancestors, eat traditional foods like dumplings, and watch stunning firework displays. Each year is associated with a different zodiac animal, believed to influence the year’s character, and 2025 will be the year of the snake and starts on January 29th. New Year’s Eve and ends on February the 12th, the Lantern Festival. While China is the origin, countries like Vietnam (Tết) and South Korea (Seollal) also celebrate variations of Lunar New Year.
March 20 or 21: Nowruz (Persian New Year) Based On The Solar Hijri Calendar
Nowruz, translating to “New Day,” marks the Persian New Year and the first day of spring and is based around the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring Equinox. Originating over 3,000 years ago in Zoroastrianism, it is now celebrated by millions across Iran, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Rituals include cleaning homes (spring cleaning), preparing a Haft-Seen table adorned with symbolic items, and visiting family. The holiday embodies renewal, growth, and harmony with nature and is based on the Solar Hijri Calendar.
October/November: Diwali (Hindu New Year in Some Regions) Vikram Samvat Calendar
In certain parts of India, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, the festival of Diwali doubles as the New Year. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Homes are lit with oil lamps, sweets are shared, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. The day after Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar, ushering in hope and positivity.
September 22nd to 24th 2025 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. Celebrated over two days, it is a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal. Traditions include the sounding of the shofar (a ram’s horn), eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey to symbolise a sweet year, and reciting prayers of repentance. Rosh Hashanah is deeply spiritual, focusing on self-improvement and reconciliation. It is celebrated within Jewish populations World-wide.
April 13th to 15th: Songkran (Thai New Year)
Songkran, rooted in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, means “passing” or “approaching” in Sanskrit and aligns with the solar calendar and celebrates renewal. It is most famously known for its exuberant water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck.
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I am a practising HR consultant working with several start-ups on an ongoing and ad-hoc basis in the London and M4 area, and am a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or CIPD. I am the Director of thecareercafe.co.uk; thecareercafe.co.uk is a resource for start-ups and small business. It includes a blog containing career advice, small business advice articles, HR software reviews, and contains great resources such as HR Productivity Apps.