January 1

New Year’s Day

Public holiday on January 1 marking the start of the new calendar year and celebrated across cultures worldwide.

Yearly Date

January 1

Observed

Introduction

Ring in the New Year with a bang and celebrate New Year's Day on Jan. 1! This holiday has been around since ancient times, when Babylonians would mark the start of a new year with grand festivities. It is also believed that many early civilizations celebrated this special day to honor gods and goddesses who were thought to bring good luck for the upcoming year. On this day we reflect on what we achieved over the past 12 months, create resolutions for ourselves, and look ahead to all that lies ahead.

New Year’s Day Deals

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New Year’s Day Timeline

45 BC

Julian Calendar Introduction

The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, marking January 1st as the start of the new year.

567 AD

New Year Shifts to March

The Council of Tours decided that the year should start on March 25 to coincide with Annunciation (Lady Day).

1582

Gregorian Calendar Adoption

Pope Gregory XIII announced a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) restoring January 1st as New Year's Day.

1752

British Empire Calendar Reform

The British Empire, including American colonies, adopted the Gregorian calendar. January 1st was re-instated as the first day of the New Year.

1904

Times Square New Year's Celebration

The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square, then known as Longacre Square, in New York City.

2000

The Millennium Celebration

New Year's Day 2000 is celebrated worldwide as the beginning of a new millennium.

How to Celebrate New Year’s Day

1 Go to a party

Attend a big New Year's Eve bash and ring in the New Year with friends. Find a local event through an online search or check out your local bars for celebrations.

2 Watch fireworks

Many cities put on a great show and have gorgeous fireworks displays to welcome in the New Year. Check out your city's event website and plan ahead to experience the show.

3 Go to a concert

Many cities and venues offer concerts for ringing in the New Year. Search for concerts in your area and purchase tickets for an unforgettable night of music.

4 Take a road trip

Rent a car and take a few friends away for a fun road trip. It's a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some quality time with your friends.

5 Host a game night

Invite some friends over for an evening of fun games, snacks, and drinks. Try something like charades, Cards Against Humanity, or even bingo!

Why We Love New Year’s Day

It's a New Beginning

At the start of each new year, it's like a giant reset button has been pressed. This is your chance to make resolutions and set goals for what you want to accomplish in the coming year. It's also an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past twelve months, so that you can plan how to maximize your potential moving forward!

There are tons of festivities

Whether it's partying with friends or attending a quiet gathering at home, there are tons of ways to celebrate New Year’s Day. You could go out with your loved ones for dinner and drinks, watch fireworks at midnight, or simply gather around the television to catch all the festivities from Times Square! No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be a memorable night.

New Year’s Day brings hope (& optimism)

With each new year comes newfound hope and optimism that this will be our best yet. There may be trials ahead but they won't define us - instead, let us focus on setting achievable goals and striving towards them until we reach our highest accomplishments. Let's take this fresh start as an opportunity make positive changes big or small in our lives!