New Year is warm-heartedly observed across the whole world by following different traditions and customs, enjoying various foods, displaying fireworks, partying with friends, praying, making resolutions, wearing new clothes, and spending quality time with your loved ones.
But the time in which countries enter New Year is different from each other and here we present you the list of 20 countries celebrate New Year first in entire world that enter New Year first to last!
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1. Kiribati (Christmas Island)
Population – 1.22 lakhs (2021)
Religion – Catholicism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Kiribati honours the new year on December 31st, at 3:30 pm IST which is 18 hours early from the US, 14 hours early from the UK, 9.5 hours early from India, and 6 hours early from China.
Celebration – Kiribati celebrates the new year by specifying their new year resolutions, relishing firework displays at midnight, attending parties in pubs and clubs, and cultural celebrations at local meeting houses.
Food and drink they cook – People in Kiribati eat their traditional Rice, Fish, palusami, chicken, and pork, and drink their most popular palm wine and fresh coconut water.
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2. New Zealand (Chatham Islands)
Population – 48.7 lakhs (2021)
Religion – Christianity.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
New Zealand Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 3:45 pm IST which is 17.5 hours early from the US, 13.5 hours early from the UK, 9 hours early from India, and 5.5 hours early from China.
Celebration – People in New Zealand welcome New Year with fireworks, partying in bars, and small get-togethers with family and friends.
Food and drink they cook – People in New Zealand eat their favourite Fish, chips, chocolates, Sweets, and fruit salad and for drinks, they prefer wine and beer.
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3. Russia
Population – 14.6 crores (2021)
Religion – Christianity.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Russia Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 5:30 pm IST which is 16 hours early from the US, 12 hours early from the UK, 6.5 hours early from India, and 4 hours early from China.
Celebration – Russians celebrate their new year by hosting family dinners and enjoying fireworks at midnight.
Food and drink they cook – – Russian famous New Year food comprises pickled herring, caviar black bread, jams, marinated mushrooms, and salads with vodka and wine.
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4. Australia
Population – 25.9 crores (2021)
Religion – Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Australia marks the new year on December 31st, at 6:30 pm IST which is 15 hours early from the US, 11 hours early from the UK, 5.5 hours early from India, and 3 hours early from China.
Celebration – People in Australia grandly celebrate their New Year on Cruises, Beaches and some like to enjoy barbecues at their houses.
Food and drink they cook – Steak, pork, chicken, Lamb, barbecue, sausage, burger and many more. Mainly people in Australia drink champagne or wine on New Year’s evening.
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5. Japan
Population – 12.5 crores (2021)
Religion – Shinto and Buddhism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Japan Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 8:30 pm IST which is 13 hours early from the US, 9 hours early from the UK, 5.5 hours early from India, and 1 hour early from China.
Celebration – People in Japan like to celebrate their new year with their family while eating some of their traditional sweets. They also like to visit a shrine and eat noodles.
Food and drink they cook – Japanese eat their traditional Ozouni soup on New Year’s evening and also dishes like osechi, gobo, shrimp, black beans, and Datemaki. They also drink spicy medicinal sake known as Toso during the New Year.
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6. China
Population – 1.41 billion (2021)
Religion – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism are some of the significant religions followed in China.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
China observes the new year on December 31st, at 9:30 pm IST which is 12 hours early from the US, 8 hours early from the UK, and 4.5 hours early from India.
Celebration – People in China greet the new year with exquisite fireworks in the sky, firecrackers, wearing red clothes, and embellishing their homes with lights. They love to spend their New Year’s evening by hosting family dinners and paying respect to their elders people. In return, the elders give cash in a lovely red envelope to their kids.
Food and drink they cook – In China, people eat their customary sweet dumplings called yuan xiao which looks like a full moon. Some of the other New Year dishes include chicken, spring rolls, noodles, fruit, rice cakes, and many more. White wine and baijiu are the most consumed drinks in China during the New Year.
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7. Thailand
Population – 7.5 crores (2021)
Religion – The majority of the people mainly follow Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity in Thailand.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Thailand Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 10:30 pm IST which is 11 hours early from the US, 7 hours early from the UK, 1.5 hours early from India, and 1 hour late from China.
Celebration – Some of the people in Thailand desire to spend their new year with family and friends, visit a temple and participate in the temple activities to start their New Year with God’s blessings and prosperity.
Food and drink they cook – Fish, steamed or roasted chicken, rice cakes, and Tom yum Goong are some of the famous Thai dishes cooked during Songkran.
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8. Myanmar (Burma)
Population – 5.49 crores (2021)
Religion – Theravada Buddhism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Myanmar honours the new year on December 31st, at 11:00 pm IST which is 10.5 hours early from the US, 6.5 hours early from the UK, 1 hour early from India, and 2 hours late from China.
Celebration – On New Year’s Day, Burmese splash water on each other to cleanse all the evils committed by them in the past. Burmese women wear traditional attire on that day and wash the hair of the elder generation to pay them respect and gratitude. This water festival is known as Thingyan.
Food and drink they cook – Some of the popular New Year food includes Mont Lat Saung, Shwe Yin Aye, and Mont Lone Yay Paw.
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9. Nepal
Population – 29.8 crores (2021)
Religion – The principal religions followed in Nepal include Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Kirat.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Nepal observes the new year on December 31st, at 11:45 pm IST which is 9 hours 45 minutes early from the US, 5 hours 45 minutes early from the UK, 15 minutes early from India, and 2 hours 45 minutes late from China.
Celebration – The New Year celebration in Nepal Includes fun activities like street dancing, singing, parading, and family reunions.
Food and drink they cook – The traditional food of Nepal during the New Year includes Yomari. The famous New Year drink of Nepal is changkol (Nepali beer).
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10. India
Population – 1.39 billion (2021)
Religion – Around 80% of the people in India follow Hinduism and the rest follow Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, or Jainism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
India Celebrations the New Year on December 31st, at midnight IST which is 9 hours 30 minutes early from the US, 5 hours 30 minutes early from the UK, and 3 hours late from China.
Celebration – During the New Year, people in India wear new clothes, invite friends and family, watch movies and do various enjoyable activities such as dancing, singing, playing card games, and going to bars and clubs at midnight.
Food and drink they cook – In India, every state has a different taste and preference when it comes to food. In some parts of India, people eat plain rice and Dal during New Year whereas some cook 36 different types of food. Some of the famous New Year’s food includes chicken kebab, grilled fish, paneer Tikka, prawns, halwa, and many more.
11. Afghanistan
Population – 40.1 crores (2021)
Religion – Approximately 90% of the population in Afghanistan follows Sunni Islam.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Afghanistan Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 1:00 am IST which is 9 hours 30 minutes early from the US, 5 hours 30 minutes early from the UK, 1 hour from India, and 3 hours 30 minutes late from China.
Celebration – During Nowruz, people in Afghanistan spend time with their close family and friends, wear new clothes and pray to God for a prosperous life.
Food and drink they cook – Afghanistan’s traditional New Year dish is kulcha Naurozee (a special kind of biscuit made with rice flour). They like to enjoy this special dish with a cup of hot tea during the New Year.
12. United Arab Emirates
Population – 9.99 million (2021)
Religion – Islam.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
the United Arab Emirates observes the new year on December 31st, at 1:30 am IST which is 9 hours early from the US, 5 hours early from the UK, 1 hour 30 minutes late from India, and 4 hours late from China.
Celebration – The United Arab Emirates greets New Year with beautiful fireworks across the sky, partying the whole night in bars and clubs, purchasing new clothes, eating scrumptious food, and doing fun-filled activities with their loved ones.
Food and drink they cook – The staple New Year food in the United Arab includes rice, grilled fish, and meat with a bottle of beer or wine.
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13. Iran
Population – 8.5 crores (2021)
Religion – Islam.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Iran Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 2 am IST which is 7 hours 30 minutes early from the US, 3 hours 30 minutes early from the UK, 2 hours late from India, and 4 hours 30 minutes late from China.
Celebration – In Iran, the usual way to celebrate New Year includes bonfires and lighting off firecrackers and fireworks.
Food and drink they cook – Some of the well-known New Year dishes in Iran include chickpea cookies, cucumber salad, fish with herbs and spices, Kuku sabzi, and lots of fresh herbs and vegetables.
14. Greece
Population – 1.3 crores (2021)
Religion – The main religion followed in Greece is Orthodox Christianity.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Greece Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 3:30 am IST which is 6 hours early from the US, 2 hours early from the UK, 3 hours 30 minutes late from India, and 6 hours late from China.
Celebration – Greek New Year activities incorporate fireworks, singing, dancing, hanging onions on the door, playing games, giving and receiving gifts, splashing pomegranates on each other, and praying.
Food and drink they cook – Fruit cake, tomato soup, salad, stuffed cabbage, meat, pork, and pasta are some of the most famous New Year dishes in Greece.
15. Germany
Population – 8.41 crores (2021)
Religion – Christianity and Islam is the main religion followed in Germany.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Germany Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 4:30 am IST which is 5 hours early from the US, 1 hour early from the UK, 4 hours 30 minutes late from India, and 7 hours late from China.
Celebration – Germany’s New Year celebration includes fireworks, firecrackers, parties, and games.
Food and drink they cook – Lentils, seafood, pork, fondue, bread, meat, and pretzels are the main New Year food enjoyed by the people in Germany.
16. United Kingdom
Population – 6.84 crores (2021)
Religion – Christianity is the main religion followed in the United Kingdom.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
the United Kingdom Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 5:30 am IST which is 4 hours early from the US, 5 hours 30 minutes late from India, and 8 hours late from China.
Celebration – In a large part of the UK, New Year is celebrated by displaying majestic fireworks in the sky, partying in clubs, family dinners, and playing games.
Food and drink they cook – UK’s favourite New Year food and drink include beef, pork, pies, cakes, and Eton mess with a glass of champagne.
17. Brazil
Population – 21 53 crores
Religion – Catholicism.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Brazil Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 7:30 am IST which is 2 hours early from the US, 2 hours late from the UK, 7 hours 30 minutes late from India, and 10 hours late from China.
Celebration – In Brazil, New Year’s evening is popularly called Réveillon where people meet close friends and family, exchange gifts, and watch fireworks together.
Food and drink they cook – Brazil’s traditional New Year dish is lentils served with plain rice with pomegranate juice.
18. Dominion of Newfoundland
Population – 5.20 lakhs (2021)
Religion – Christianity is the main religion followed in Newfoundland.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Newfoundland Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 8 am IST which is 1 hour 30 minutes early from the US, 1 hour 30 minutes late from the UK, 8 hours late from India, and 10 hours 30 minutes late from China.
Celebration – Some of the common traditions include meeting families and friends, playing cards, eating delicious food, and making New Year’s resolutions.
Food and drink they cook – Some of the New Year dishes include Jiggs dinner, Cod tongues, scrunch ions, bake-apple, oyster leaves, and many more.
19. Canada
Population – 3.82 crores (2021)
Religion – Christianity is the main religion followed in Canada. Other religions include Hinduism, Sikhs, Islam, and Jews.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
Canada Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 9 am IST which is 30 minutes early from the US, 3 hours 30 minutes late from the UK, 9 hours late from India, and 11 hours 30 minutes late from China.
Celebration – Some Canadian ways to celebrate New Year includes partying all night, ice fishing, family picnic, skating, dancing, or taking a polar bear plunge.
Food and drink they cook – Some of the famous Canadian food and drinks include lentils and pork.
20. United States of America
Population – 33.38 (2021)
Religion – Some of the religions followed in the United States are Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and Muslim.
How early do they celebrate the New Year as compared to the US, UK, India, and China?
The United States of America Celebrations the new year on December 31st, at 9:30 am IST which is 4 hours late from the UK, 9 hours 30 minutes late from India, and 12 hours late from China.
Celebration – Some Americans love to spend their New Year with their family and watch Times Square (New York) New Year’s celebrations broadcast on TV while others enjoy partying at clubs.
Food and drink they cook – Some of the traditional American New Year dishes include pork, meat, cornbread, cow beans, black-eyed peas, and green vegetables.
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