New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is the 31st of December. People go to parties with family and friends.
At midnight (12 o'clock) they all kiss and say "Happy New Year!". Then, they hold hands and sing a song called "Auld Lang Syne".

Listen and read the lyrics of this song.



Now, look at this family celebrating the New Year's Day.

Besides, each country has got particular traditions to celebrate this day:

England

People listen to the bells of Big Ben.

There is a very big firework display around the London Eye. It is one of the world's biggest fireworks displays for New Year.

Scotland

The celebration of New Year's Eve is very important. It is called "Hogmanay".

They celebrate 'first footing'. This tradition is for good luck.
When January 1st has started, people wait behind their doors for a person whith dark hair. The visitor carries a piece of coal, some bread, some money and some greenery. These were all for good luck - the coal to make sure that the house would always be warm, the bread to make sure everyone in the house would have enough food to eat, money so that they would have enough money, and the greenery to make sure that they had a long life.

The visitor would then take a pan of dust or ashes out of the house with him, thus signifying the departure of the old year.

In Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, there is a big street party along Princes Street. There are concerts, firework displays, rides...

They also walk through the streets with torches.

USA

Every year, up to one million of people wait in Times Square to watch the ball drop.

Well, these are some traditions for New Year's Eve. Which one is your favourite?