A Brief Look into New Year's Traditions Around the World (Slogging Insights)

Happy New Year HackerNoon readers and writers! I hope 2022 is a great year for all of you. In our fellowship channel, a couple of us shared some insights on how we celebrate the new year in our parts of the world.

This Slogging thread by Limarc, Durand Sinclair, Azeez Akinkunmi, Adam Meadows and Blake Cram occurred in hackernoon's official #fellowship-central channel, and has been edited for readability.

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 7:36 AM

Hey Channel! I'm curious to hear: what are the New Years Eve / New Years Day traditions in your country/city?

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 7:38 AM

In Japan, New Years is a family holiday spent usually at home with your family. People eat Soba noodles on New Years Eve, with the idea that eating long noodles will mean a long life.

On New Years Day. Lunch time is traditionally spent at home eating ossechi which is a kind of extravagant mix of many different dishes which each symbolize something.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/osechi-ryori-japanese-new-year-food/

If you are too lazy and want to buy an ossechi set instead it can cost anywhere from $100 - $300 +

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 7:39 AM

And either on New Years Eve or New Years Day families go to a shrine to pray for a good year

Durand SinclairDec 28, 2021, 8:17 AM

Here in Sydney Australia, we’re one of the first cities to bring in the new year. The government usually puts on a couple of big fireworks displays over the harbour - one at 9:00pm (for families with children), and one at midnight. Both are synced to music played on a radio station, so you can crank up the music and watch the sky explode to the beat. People drive in with folding chairs and picnics from all over the city and find a spot at one of the many parks near the harbour to watch the fireworks from. Families with children leave after the 9:00pm fireworks, and the midnight fireworks are left to revellers who, traditionally, will get utterly sloshed and not wake up until some time in the afternoon on January 1st.

Some may point out that this is a less spiritual way to bring in the new year than, say, Japan. Others will point out, is it though?

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 8:18 AM

That's awesome Durand Sinclair fireworks are huge in Japan, shows lasting 30 minutes to even an hour sometimes.

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 8:18 AM

Are there like food stalls and stuff set up as well?

Durand SinclairDec 28, 2021, 8:19 AM

Limarc No! You’ve just made me realise someone’s missing a huge opportunity to make money off the night!

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 8:20 AM

Ohh hell yes. The food stalls make a killing here during the fireworks shows.

LimarcDec 28, 2021, 8:20 AM

It's a whole event and some people go just for the food stalls

Durand SinclairDec 28, 2021, 8:20 AM

Man, we need more of that type of thinking round here!

Azeez AkinkunmiDec 28, 2021, 12:15 PM

Here in Nigeria, on new year eve, a lot of people go to the church for prayers and thanksgiving.. Then they give a thunderous shout of “HAPPY NEW YEAR” by 12 am Jan 1st. Afterwards everyone goes home for merriment.

People share food and drinks and it is always a jolly moment for every one

Adam MeadowsDec 28, 2021, 3:26 PM

Here, we open the back door and front door to our houses.

Adam MeadowsDec 28, 2021, 3:26 PM

We're essentially letting the old year out and letting the new year in.

Blake CramDec 28, 2021, 10:44 PM

In San Francisco, we do what most American's do on NYE: stay up till midnight, drink and party with friends to celebrate a new year. In the Bay Area though, a lot of folks get oysters and/or seafood as those are accessible and fresh this time of year. And of course you've gotta have some Champagne or a cool Pet nat to go with. This year as the Omicron variant is spreading in SF, a lot of folks are having small gatherings with close friends and family as opposed to big events and parties which are typical for NYE.

LimarcDec 30, 2021, 2:31 AM

Yeah in Tokyo for the younger adults there is a strong party culture around the holiday too if you aren't visiting family. NYE in Shibuya Scramble is an unforgettable event.

LimarcDec 30, 2021, 2:33 AM