Europe New Year's Eve

1 europe

1.1 albania
1.2 austria
1.3 belgium
1.4 bosnia , herzegovina
1.5 czech republic , slovakia
1.6 denmark
1.7 estonia
1.8 finland
1.9 france
1.10 germany
1.11 greece
1.12 hungary
1.13 iceland
1.14 ireland
1.15 italy
1.16 macedonia
1.17 malta
1.18 montenegro
1.19 netherlands
1.20 norway
1.21 poland
1.22 portugal
1.23 romania
1.24 russia
1.25 serbia
1.26 slovenia
1.27 spain
1.28 sweden
1.29 switzerland
1.30 turkey
1.31 ukraine
1.32 united kingdom

1.32.1 england
1.32.2 scotland
1.32.3 wales

europe
albania

preparations new year s eve in albania start long before 31 december. starts christmas tree in albania known new year s tree or new year s pine . on day, parents, children , relatives gathered spend remarkable moments together. having abundant dinner different kinds of delicious dishes tradition. part of tradition watching lot of comedy shows on night, new year should find people smiling , full of joy.the amazing moment of night last minute of old year , minute come of new year. @ 00:00 toasts , greets each other , lot of fireworks brighten sky of city. wish each other prosperous new year, full of happiness, joy, health , lots of fortune. tradition @ 00:00 people call each other on phone greet 1 or send sms friends. 31 december busiest day of albanian.

austria

in austria, new year s eve celebrated friends , family. @ midnight, radio , television programmes operated orf broadcast sound of pummerin, bell of st. stephen s cathedral in vienna, followed donauwalzer ( blue danube ) johann strauss ii. many people dance @ parties or in street. large crowds gather in streets of vienna, municipal government organises series of stages bands , orchestras play. fireworks set off both municipal governments , individuals.

belgium

in belgium, new year s eve (sint sylvester vooravond ( saint sylvester s eve ) or oudjaar ( old year )) celebrated family parties, called réveillons in french speaking areas. on television, stand-up comedian reviews past year after musical or variety show signals midnight, when kisses, exchanges luck greetings, , toasts new year , absent relatives , friends champagne. many people light fireworks or go street watch them. cities have own fireworks display: famous @ mont des arts in brussels. cities, cafés , restaurants crowded. free bus services , special new year s eve taxis (the responsible young drivers) bring home afterwards.

on january 1 (nieuwjaarsdag in dutch) children read new year s letter , give holiday greeting cards of decorated paper featuring golden cherubs , angels, colored roses , ribbon-tied garlands parents , godparents, on decorated paper.

belgian farmers wish animals happy new year.

bosnia , herzegovina

new year celebrated in bosnia , herzegovina. streets decorated new year s eve , there fireworks show , concerts in larger cities. restaurants, clubs, cafes , hotels full of guests , organize new year s eve parties.

in sarajevo, people gather in square of children of sarajevo local rock band entertains them. several trumpet , rock groups play until morning hours. @ midnight there big fireworks show.

czech republic , slovakia

new year s eve (silvestr/silvester) celebrations , traditions in czech republic , slovakia similar. new year s eve noisiest day of year. people gather friends @ parties, in pubs, clubs, in streets, or city squares eat, drink, , celebrate new year. fireworks popular tradition; in large cities such bratislava, or prague, fireworks start before noon , steadily increase until midnight. in first minutes after midnight, people toast champagne, wish each other happy new year, fortune , health, , go outside fireworks.

in both countries major tv stations air entertainment shows before , after midnight countdown, followed national anthem of each country. presidents of republics gave new year speech in morning - new czech president miloš zeman renewed tradition of christmas speeches. in recent years czechoslovak national anthem played @ midnight, in honor of shared history of both nations.

denmark

new year fireworks on copenhagen

people in denmark may go parties or entertain guests @ home. there special evening meal concludes kransekage, special dessert, along champagne. other traditional dishes boiled cod, stewed kale , cured saddle of pork. however, expensive cuts of beef sushi have become increasingly popular.

two significant traditional events broadcast on television , radio on december 31: monarch s new year message amalienborg palace @ 6pm , town hall clock in copenhagen striking midnight. thousands of people gather in rådhuspladsen (the town hall square) , cheer. royal guard parade in red gala uniforms. climax of celebration fireworks launched town hall tower bells chime on stroke of midnight.

estonia

to celebrate new year s eve in estonia, people decorate villages, visit friends , prepare lavish meals.

some believe people should eat seven, nine, or twelve times on new year s eve. these lucky numbers in estonia; believed each meal consumed, person gains strength of many men following year. meals should not finished—some food should left ancestors , spirits visit house on new year s eve.

traditional new year food includes pork sauerkraut or estonian sauerkraut (mulgikapsad), baked potatoes , swedes hog s head, , white , blood sausage. vegetarians can eat potato salad navy beet , pâté. gingerbread , marzipan popular dessert. traditional new year drinks include beer , mead, mulled wine , champagne have become modern favourites.

finland

in finland, new year s eve celebrated family or friends. late supper served, featuring wieners, janssons frestelse, , potato salad. municipalities organize fireworks @ midnight. consumer fireworks popular. finnish tradition molybdomancy - tell fortunes of new year melting tin (actually lead) in tiny pan on stove , throwing in bucket of cold water. resulting blob of metal analyzed, example interpreting shadows casts candlelight. these predictions never taken seriously.

the finnish broadcasting company broadcasts reception of new year @ helsinki senate square. countdown new year helsinki cathedral clock. in afternoon programme, german comedy sketch dinner 1 shown every year. on radio, before midnight, poem hymyilevä apollo (smiling apollo) eino leino read.

france


(video) celebrations in 2014

in france, new year s eve (la saint-sylvestre) celebrated feast, le réveillon de la saint-sylvestre (cap d in northern catalonia). feast customarily includes special dishes including foie gras, seafood such oysters, , champagne. celebration can simple, intimate dinner friends , family or, une soirée dansante, fancier ball.

on new year s day (le jour de l an) friends , family exchange new year s resolutions, kisses, , wishes. people eat ice cream.

the holiday period ends on january 6 celebration of epiphany (jour des rois). traditional type of flat pastry cake, la galette des rois, made of 2 sheets of puff pastry, filled frangipane (almond paste) eaten. cake contains fève, small china doll; whomever finds becomes king or queen , gets wear gold paper crown , choose or partner. tradition can last 2 weeks.

germany

in germany, parties common on new year s eve. fireworks popular, both individuals , @ large municipal displays. december 31 , 3 days leading 4 days of year on fireworks may sold in germany. every year berlin hosts 1 of largest new year s eve celebrations in of europe, attended on million people. focal point brandenburg gate, midnight fireworks centered. germans toast new year glass of sekt (german sparkling wine) or champagne. molybdomancy (bleigießen) german new year s eve tradition, involves telling fortunes shapes made molten lead dropped cold water. other auspicious actions touch chimney sweep or rub ash on forehead luck , health. jam-filled doughnuts , without liquor fillings eaten. tiny marzipan pig consumed more luck. in northern regions of germany (e.g. east frisia) making of speckdicken tradition - people go door door visiting neighbors , partaking in dish. looks similar pancake, recipe calls either dark molasses or dark syrup, summer sausage , bacon in center.

another notable tradition british comedy sketch dinner one, has traditionally been broadcast on german television on new year s eve since 1972. version traditionally broadcast on german television recorded in 1963, , used filler programming ndr due popular demand; in 1972, dinner 1 received traditional new year s eve scheduling. sketch, catchphrase same procedure every year , well-known in german pop culture. dinner 1 broadcast on or around new year s eve in other european countries, although is, ironically, relatively unknown in united kingdom.

greece

new year s eve in greece has many traditions. during day, children sing new year s carols given money or treats. then, time have family lunch or dinner. in evening, people cook pie named king s pie (vassilopita locally) , cake flavored almonds. following tradition, put coin wrapped in aluminium foil inside pie.

during family dinner, hostess puts of jewelry in plate , serves in side of table, symbol of coming year s prosperity. after dinner over, dishes not washed until next day. reason saint vassilis (greek santa claus) awaited during new year s eve , considered common courtesy leave food traveler visits house bring presents during night.

when midnight arrives, families count down , turn off lights , reopen eyes enter year new light . after fireworks show, cut vassilopita , serve it. person gets wrapped coin lucky person of day , blessed rest of year. gifts exchanges may follow.

hungary

new year s eve (szilveszter) in hungary celebrated home parties , street parties, including gathering in downtown budapest. fireworks , firecrackers popular. champagne, wine , traditional hungarian new year dishes—frankfurter sausages horseradish, lentil soup, fish, , roast pig—are consumed. national anthem commonly sung @ midnight.

in budapest, timewheel runs out on new year s eve, , mechanically rotated sand runs through year.

in past centuries, hungarians believed animals able speak on new year s eve, , onion skins sprinkled salt indicate rainy month.

hungarian christian communities focus on celebrating mass on both new year s eve , new year s day.

iceland

new year fireworks on reykjavík, iceland

fireworks popular in iceland, particularly on new year s eve. iceland s biggest new year s eve events in , around capital, reykjavík.

Áramótaskaupið ( new year s comedy ) annual icelandic television comedy special, important part of new year most. focuses satirically on past year, , shows little mercy victims, politicians, artists, prominent business people , activists.

ireland

new year s eve (oíche chinn bliana, oíche na coda móire, or oíche chaille) celebrations in major cities modest, people favouring small parties in home family , friends.

italy

in italy, new year s eve (vigilia di capodanno or notte di san silvestro) celebrated observation of traditional rituals, such wearing red underwear. ancient tradition in southern regions (rarely followed today) disposing of old or unused items dropping them window.

dinner traditionally eaten relatives , friends. includes zampone or cotechino (a meal made pig s trotters or entrails), , lentils. @ 8:30 pm, president reads television message of greetings italians.

at midnight, fireworks displayed across country. followed today tradition consist in eating lentil stew when bell tolls midnight, 1 spoonful per bell. supposed bring fortune; round lentils represent coins.

macedonia

new year s eve celebrated across macedonia. new year s day celebrated day-long fireworks shows. day celebrated family or friends @ home or in restaurants, clubs, cafés , hotels. during day-time celebration children gifts. evening celebrations include food, music, , dancing both traditional macedonian folk music, , modern music. new year s eve celebrated on december 31 , on january 14 according macedonian orthodox calendar.

malta

malta organized first new year s street party in 2009 in floriana. event not highly advertised , proved controversial, due closing of arterial street day. in 2010 there first national celebrations in st. george s square, valletta although professional fireworks popular in malta, totally absent on new year s eve.

montenegro

in montenegro, new year s eve celebrations held in large cities, accompanied fireworks. celebrated family or friends, @ home or outside. restaurants, clubs, cafés , hotels organize celebrations food , music.

netherlands

new year s eve (oud en nieuw or oudejaarsavond) in netherlands celebrated cozy evening family or friends. traditional snack foods oliebollen (oil dumplings) , appelbeignets (apple slice fritters). on television, main feature oudejaarsconference, performance 1 of major dutch cabaretiers (comparable stand-up comedy, more serious, including satirical review of year s politics). historically, in reformed protestant families, psalm 90 read, although tradition fading away. @ midnight, glühwein (bishops wine) or champagne drunk. many people light own fireworks. towns not organize central fireworks display, except rotterdam national fireworks display can seen near erasmus bridge.

norway

in norway new year s eve (nyttårsaften) second biggest celebration of year, after christmas eve. while christmas eve family celebration, new year s eve opportunity celebrate friends.

traditionally, there first feast, commonly consisting of stuffed, roast turkey potatoes, sprouts, gravy , waldorf salad. accompanying beverage traditionally beer (commonly either christmas beer or lager beer). dessert vanilla pudding or rice cream, , there cakes , coffee later in evening - commonly accompanied glass of cognac. then, @ close 12 on new year s day, people go outside send fireworks. fireworks permitted sold general public on days leading new year s eve, , launched night.

due general use of fireworks, more fires occur on new year s eve on other day of year in norway. accordingly, norwegian cities, , many towns, host large, public fireworks display in order discourage private use of fireworks in built-up areas. people congregate in central square or similar watch , celebrate.

poland

in poland new year s eve (sylwester) celebrations include both indoor , outdoor festivities. large open-air concert held in main square in kraków. 150,000 200,000 revelers celebrate new year live music , fireworks display on st. mary s basilica. similar festivities held in other cities around poland.

for not wish spend new year in city, mountains popular destination. zakopane, located in carpathian mountains, popular polish mountain resort in winter.

also, new year s eve (sylwester) celebrations in katowice, near spodek arena.

portugal

in portugal new year celebration taken seriously. tradition drink champagne , eat twelve raisins - 1 each month of year, making wish each. portuguese tradition special cake called bolo-rei (literally: king cake). bolo-rei round cake large hole in centre, resembling crown covered crystallised , dried fruit. baked soft, white dough, raisins, various nuts , crystallised fruit. inside hidden characteristic fava (broad bean). tradition dictates whoever finds fava has pay bolo-rei next year. initially, small prize (usually small metal toy) included within cake. however, inclusion of prize forbidden european union safety reasons. portuguese brought recipe of gateau des rois france in second half of 19th century. day, recipe kept secret.

in lisbon new year celebrated grand concert. new year s concert held @ ccb (centro cultural de belém) on evening of 1 january, featuring prestigious lisbon metropolitan orchestra.

romania

romexpo indoors during vanghelion new year s eve party.

traditional celebrations of new year s eve (revelion) norm in romania. romanians follow centuries-old customs, rituals, , conventions. children sing plugușorul , sorcova , traditional carols wish goodwill, happiness , success.

parties common in evening. since romanian revolution of 1989, romanians have gathered in university square in bucharest. other significant parties occur in piața constituției. new year s eve marked national all-night telecast on romanian television, celebrates anniversary on holiday, having opened doors in new year s eve of 1956.

russia

most russians celebrate new year s eve families , close friends. origin of holiday in russia derives christmas. christmas major holiday in russia until banned, other religious holidays, communist party. compensate absence of christmas, new year s celebrated as christmas was, without religious aspect of holiday , lot of christmas attributes stolen, such christmas tree, became new year tree. after fall of soviet union, new year s still celebrated in russia , has become russian tradition. there old superstition if first visitor (especially unexpected one) on january 1 man, year good. people try start new year without debts.

the kremlin clock chimes , singing of russian national anthem bring in new year (2012).

the celebration starts 1 or 2 hours before midnight. common tradition farewell old year remembering important events of last twelve months. @ 5 minutes midnight people watch president s new year speech on tv , watch popular films or new year tv shows before , after midnight. there tradition listen kremlin clock bell ringing twelve times on radio or on tv, followed national anthem. during these last twelve seconds of year people keep silence , make secret wishes next year. after clock strikes, drink champagne , have rich dinner, watching tv concerts , having fun. people light fireworks outside , visit friends , neighbors. december 30 , 31 working days, lot of people have parties @ work (so-called corporatives ), though december 31 spent @ home or friends. grandfather frost , granddaughter snowmaiden bring presents on new year s eve.

on january 13, of people celebrates old new year , according julian calendar.

serbia

new year s eve in serbia traditionally celebrated extensively. indoors, families celebrate new year s eve abundance of food. serbs decorate trees, novogodišnja jelka, @ new year s eve, rather @ christmas eve. near, or after midnight, santa claus (deda mraz) visits houses , leaves presents under tree, unpacked or, if family asleep, discovered in morning.

serbian new year s celebrations take place in belgrade, , several other major cities such novi sad , niš. of mid-december, cities extensively decorated , lit. decorations remain until way january due influence of julian calendar. throughout region, amongst former yugoslav republics, belgrade popular destination major parties.

on january 13, large part of population celebrates serbian new year , according julian calendar. 1 concert organized in front of either city hall or national parliament in belgrade, while fireworks prepared serbian orthodox church , fired cathedral of saint sava, people gather. other cities organize such celebrations.

slovenia

in slovenia, new year s eve known saint sylvester s day (silvestrovo). streets decorated whole december. in larger cities ljubljana, maribor, celje or koper there concerts, culture programm , countdown followed fireworks. there special programme on national tv. tradition is, family comes , have dinner. @ midnight, people toast champagne, wish each other happy new year, fortune , health. people have decorated christmas tree before christmas , children waiting third man of december - dedek mraz.

spain

madrid s puerta del sol on new year s eve, 2005.

spanish new year s eve (nochevieja or fin de año) celebrations begin family dinner, traditionally including shrimp or prawns, , lamb or capon. actual countdown followed clock on top of casa de correos building in puerta del sol square in madrid. traditional eat twelve grapes, 1 on each chime of clock. tradition has origins in 1909, when grape growers in alicante thought of way cut down on large production surplus had had year. nowadays, tradition followed every spaniard, , twelve grapes have become synonymous new year. after clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other , toast sparkling wine such cava or champagne, or cider. song un año más, spanish group mecano, played.

earlier in evening @ around 8:00, there 10k run called san silvestre vallecana, starts on paseo de la castellana, next santiago bernabéu stadium, , ends @ vallecas stadium. professional runners come madrid 10k.

after family dinner , grapes, many young people attend cotillones de nochevieja parties (named spanish word cotillón, refers party supplies confetti, party blowers, , party hats) @ pubs, clubs, , similar places. parties last until next morning , range small, personal celebrations @ local bars huge parties guests numbering thousands @ hotel convention rooms. next morning, party attendees gather have traditional winter breakfast of hot chocolate , fried pastry (chocolate con churros).

sweden

gothenburg fireworks on new year s eve, 2008.

in sweden, new year s eve celebrated families or friends. few hours before , after midnight, people party , eat special dinner, 3 courses. new year s eve celebrated large fireworks displays throughout country, in cities. people on age of 18 allowed buy fireworks, sold local stores or private persons. while watching or lighting fireworks @ midnight, people drink champagne.

switzerland

in switzerland, new year s eve typically celebrated @ residence friends. there no particular main dishes associated event, although sweets , desserts usual. each commune has own government-arranged countdown in public space, accompanied formal fireworks shows in smaller cities.

turkey

new year s eve decorations in kadıköy, istanbul.



new year s eve decorations in nişantaşı, İstanbul.

numerous decorations , customs traditionally associated christmas , bayrams part of secular new year s eve celebrations in turkey. homes , streets lit in glittering lights. small gifts exchanged, , large family dinners organized family , friends, featuring special turkey dish stuffed zante currant, pine nuts, pimiento , dill iç pilav, dolma, hot börek, baklava, , various other turkish dishes, accompanied rakı, turkish wine, or boza, şerbet, salep, , turkish tea or coffee. though turkish people not celebrate christmas, decorating christmas trees popular tradition on new year s eve in turkey, , turks associate santa claus new year s eve.

television , radio channels known continuously broadcast variety of special new year s eve programs, while municipalities around country organize fundraising events poor, in addition celebratory public shows such concerts , family-friendly events, more traditional forms of entertainment such karagöz , hacivat shadow-theater, , performances mehter—the janissary band founded during days of ottoman empire.

public , private parties large public attendances organised in number of cities , towns, particularly in largest metropolitan areas such istanbul, ankara, izmir, adana, bursa , antalya, biggest celebrations taking place in istanbul s taksim, beyoğlu, nişantaşı , kadıköy districts , ankara s kızılay square, feature dancing, concerts, laser , lightshows traditional countdown , fireworks display.

ukraine

in countries formerly part of soviet union, new year s has same cultural significance christmas has in united states, without religious connotations. ukrainian families traditionally install spruce trees @ home, equivalent of christmas tree. families gather eat large feast , reflect on past year. have large celebration, make toasts, , make wishes happy new year. families give presents friends informal acquaintances. ukrainians traditionally closely knit community, seen taboo not give presents family associates with. children stay until midnight, waiting new year. during these celebrations many ukrainians tune special new year shows, have become long-standing tradition ukrainian tv. , before midnight president of ukraine gives new year s message nation, , when clock strikes 12, national anthem shche ne vmerla ukraina played in tv , radio stations in independence square in kiev , other cities holiday celebrations held.

new year considered pre-celebration greek catholics , eastern orthodox living in eastern europe, in ukraine, since christmas celebrated on january 7.

united kingdom
england


thousands of people gather in central london new year celebrations, including fireworks @ london eye @ midnight

the prominent new year s celebration in england of central london, arrival of midnight greeted chimes of big ben. in recent years, major fireworks display has been held, fireworks launched nearby london eye ferris wheel. on new year s eve 2010, estimated 250,000 people gathered view eight-minute fireworks display around , above london eye was, first time, set musical soundtrack. celebrations in london continued january 1, new year s day parade, held annually since 1987. 2011 parade involved more 10,000 musicians, cheerleaders , performers.

other major new year events held in cities of birmingham, manchester, liverpool, leeds, , newcastle.

scotland



hogmanay fireworks in edinburgh.

in scotland, new year s (hogmanay) celebrated several different customs, such first-footing, involves friends or family members going each other s houses gift of whisky , lump of coal.

edinburgh, scottish capital, hosts 1 of world s famous new year celebrations. celebration focused on major street party along princes street. cannon fired @ edinburgh castle @ stroke of midnight, followed large fireworks display. edinburgh hosts festival of 4 or 5 days, beginning on 28 december, , lasting until new year s day or january 2, bank holiday in scotland.

other cities across scotland, such aberdeen, glasgow , stirling have large organised celebrations too, including fireworks @ midnight.

bbc scotland broadcast celebrations in edinburgh scottish audience, celebrations screened across world. stv covers both worldwide new year celebrations, , details of events happening around scotland.

wales


a mari lwyd c. 1910–1914. traditionally carried door door during calennig in wales

the welsh tradition of giving gifts , money on new year s day (welsh: calennig) ancient custom survives in modern-day wales, though nowadays customary give bread , cheese.

thousands of people descend every year on cardiff enjoy live music, catering, ice-skating, funfairs , fireworks. many of celebrations take place @ cardiff castle , cardiff city hall.

every new year s eve, nos galan road race (rasys nos galan), 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) running race, held in mountain ash in cynon valley, rhondda cynon taf, south wales. race celebrates life , achievements of welsh runner guto nyth brân.

founded in 1958 local runner bernard baldwin, run on 5 kilometre route of guto s first competitive race. main race starts church service @ llanwynno, , wreath laid on guto s grave in llanwynno graveyard. after lighting torch, carried nearby town of mountain ash, main race takes place.

the race consists of double circuit of town centre, starting in henry street , ending in oxford street, commemorative statue of guto. traditionally, race timed end @ midnight, in recent times rescheduled convenience of family entertainment, concluding @ around 9pm.

this has resulted in growth in size , scale, , proceedings start afternoon of street entertainment, , fun run races children, concluding church service, elite runners race , presentations.