New Year’s Day falls on January 1st, marking the beginning of the calendar year.
In the UK, this day is celebrated as a public holiday.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 Jan | Wed | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Thu | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2026 | 1 Jan | Thu | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Fri | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years’ dates. | ||||
New Year’s Eve across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales is a vibrant celebration filled with joyful gatherings of families and friends.
The festivities are abundant with food and drink, culminating in exuberant cheers and toasts at the stroke of midnight to welcome the New Year.
At midnight, the tradition of singing ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ a Scottish poem set to a folk melody and penned by Robert Burns in 1788, is observed not just in the UK but in English-speaking nations worldwide.
The song, which translates to ‘for the sake of old times,’ symbolizes the act of bidding farewell to the old year and embracing the new with hopes of renewal and good fortune.
Customs have long held that the first day of the New Year influences one’s luck for the year ahead, affected by the first visitor to cross your threshold, the first meal you eat, and the first actions you undertake.
Celebrations include the chiming of town clocks and church bells, and spectacular fireworks displays, particularly over the Thames.
In Scotland, the event is referred to as Hogmanay, and in Wales, as Calennig.
London hosts a New Year’s Day Parade and Festival, featuring competitive displays from various boroughs for the title of the best parade entry.
Historically, the UK has not always observed New Year’s Day on January 1st.
In the middle ages, it was celebrated on March 25th, coinciding with the Annunciation to Mary.
The adoption of the Gregorian calendar from around 1582 onwards shifted New Year’s Day to January 1st, a change that was gradually embraced by different countries over the ensuing centuries.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 Jan | Mon | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Tue | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2023 | 1 Jan | Sun | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Mon | New Year Holiday | National | |
| 3 Jan | Tue | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2022 | 1 Jan | Sat | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Sun | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 3 Jan | Mon | New Year Holiday | National | |
| 4 Jan | Tue | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2021 | 1 Jan | Fri | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Sat | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 4 Jan | Mon | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2020 | 1 Jan | Wed | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Thu | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2019 | 1 Jan | Tue | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Wed | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2018 | 1 Jan | Mon | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Tue | New Year Holiday | Scotland | |
| 2017 | 1 Jan | Sun | New Year’s Day | National |
| 2 Jan | Mon | New Year Holiday | National | |
| 3 Jan | Tue | New Year Holiday | Scotland |
New Year's Day FAQs
New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st of each year.
Some traditional New Year’s Day foods in the UK include:
- Roast Dinner: A classic British roast with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and various meats like beef, lamb, or chicken.
- Mince Pies: These are small, sweet pies filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices, traditionally served during the Christmas season and into the New Year.
- Christmas Pudding: While traditionally served at Christmas, some families also enjoy Christmas pudding on New Year’s Day.
- Black Bun: A type of fruitcake that is a traditional Scottish treat for Hogmanay, which is New Year’s Eve in Scotland.
- Shortbread: A traditional Scottish biscuit often enjoyed during the festive season and into the New Year.
These foods are often enjoyed as part of the New Year’s Day celebration in the UK, reflecting both English and Scottish traditions.
Yes, there are many customs and traditions associated with New Year’s Day, such as making resolutions, watching fireworks, and sharing a kiss at midnight.
New Year’s Day is celebrated in various ways around the world, with each country having its own unique traditions and customs.
Popular New Year’s Day resolutions include exercising more, eating healthier, saving money, and learning a new skill.
The history of New Year’s Day dates back to ancient times, with different cultures celebrating the start of the new year in various ways.
Yes, there are several superstitions associated with New Year’s Day, such as not doing laundry to avoid washing a loved one away.
Family-friendly activities for New Year’s Day include watching parades, playing games, and having a special meal together.
To stay safe during New Year’s Day celebrations, it’s important to drink responsibly, plan for a safe ride home, and be mindful of fireworks and fire hazards.
New Year’s Day activities for kids can include making crafts, having a countdown to noon, and reflecting on the past year.
