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New Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year with family and friends - enjoy festive feasts, decorations, and a sparkling countdown to an amazing year!

Thursday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 31

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYFederal

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Ring in the New Year with excitement and joy! Celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31 and mark the end of one year and start of a new one. For thousands of years, people all over the world have gathered to celebrate this special day. This is a time for reflection, resolutions, parties, fireworks and much more as we bid farewell to 2020 and look forward to 2021!

DEALS & OFFERS

Past offers

No active deals yet — here’s who’s celebrated before.

Nothing yet for 2026

Brands typically announce offers a week before the date. Check back closer to the day.

8 brands have run a deal

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

TIMELINE

New Year’s Eve Timeline

Julian Calendar Adoption

Julius Caesar, Roman dictator, introduces the Julian calendar with January 1 as the start of the year, set in accordance to a solar calendar instead of lunar.

Scotland Accepts January 1

Scotland becomes one of the first countries to start celebrating New Year on January 1, reaching alignment with the widely accepted Gregorian Calendar.

British Adoption of Gregorian Calendar

Britain and its colonial lands including America finally adopt the Gregorian calendar, officially recognizing January 1 as the start of the New Year.

First Times Square Celebration

The first New Year's Eve celebration at Times Square in New York City takes place, starting a tradition of celebrations that persists today.

Times Square Ball Drop

The first Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop takes place, becoming a signature event known worldwide.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"

The first "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" is broadcasted on television, quickly becoming an annual event associated with New Year's Eve celebrations.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Throw a party

Gather your closest friends and family, decorate your house or apartment, make some tasty snacks, and dance the night away!

Go to a concert

Find out who is playing in your area on New Year's Eve and get tickets to the show! It will be a great way to celebrate with friends and hear some of your favorite tunes.

TAKE

Take a trip

Whether you want to go somewhere close by or far away, plan a trip for New Year's Eve. It could be anything from a road trip or camping adventure to an exotic vacation.

VISIT

Visit another city

Take advantage of the holiday season by visiting another city for the evening. Check out their downtown area or local festivities.

STAY

Stay in and relax

If you're looking for something low key, have a cozy night in with some hot cocoa and watch the ball drop from the comfort of your own home.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love New Year’s Eve

It’s full of possibilities

Aside from being full of fun and festivity, New Year's Eve is something else entirely: Optimism. As another year begins, we have so much potential for what's ahead, so let this special day remind you never to give up hope for achieving whatever dreams you may have.

New Year's Eve is a chance to start fresh

The new year presents an opportunity for us all to reflect on the past twelve months and set goals for the future. It’s a time of renewal and a chance to make resolutions that will improve our lives in some way - be it health, work, or relationships - so we can move forward with intention.

It’s a chance to celebrate

What better way to kick off the new year than by having friends over and throwing a festive party? Enjoy good food, drinks, music and company while also counting down to midnight with your loved ones!