New Years is practically around the corner and after the mayhem and fun and feasting of Christmas I honestly don’t know if I can handle New Year’s Eve for 2018. But regardless of how we may plan on getting through the New Year festivities they are on their way, well for most of us anyway. However, there are certain cultures around the world that do not hold New Year celebrations on the first of January; this could be for a variety of reasons personal to their cultures. This sparked interest in the Sir Holiday team and therefore we decided to locate some of the cultures that do not hold New Years on the 1^st of January together for your interest. They could also be used as fun facts for when conversation runs dry, you know.

China

In China, their New Year takes place in February on the 8^th instead of in January. Their New Year festivities take place at the same time as the harvest season and therefore they celebrate the spring harvest season at the same time. Not only does this help ease the amount of holidays they have in a year it also means that their New Year traditions are filled with symbolism of the spring harvest and wishes for a good year forward. Talk about duality. The Chinese give gifts of red envelopes filled with money to relatives, neighbours and other special people within their lives. They also have many special foods, such as moon cakes and have many lantern and dragon displays to mark the special occasion.

Bali

The Balinese New Year will take place in March on the 9^th; this particular New Year is very different to the rest of the world’s celebrations. In Bali on New Year’s Day the citizens of Bali choose to spend the day calmly, in an introspective state where they reflect on personal things such as their family, resolutions, and their blessings. It is a true day of rest and tranquillity. However, the night before this rest and relaxation is filled with drama and spectacles. On the New Year’s Eve in Balithere are numerous fire displays throughout the island to mark the bringing in of a New Year.

Iran

The Iranian New Year also takes place in March on the 20^th; the New Year coincides with the beginning of the spring season. But this particular New Year celebration is unique in that it openly involves cleaning; I mean can you imagine cleaning over a holiday – the horror! However, there are trumpets that are played joyously in the morning to herald the coming of a New Year, this is accompanied by beautifully decorated eggs, a delicious bowl of noodle soup and let’s not forgot the all-important scrub down of your house.

Well, there you have a quick insight into a few of the cultures that celebrate New Year’s on different days than January the 1^st. For all of your holiday information and more visit Sir Holiday today.

red lantern

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/29/14/23/chinese-new-year-2693523_960_720.jpg

fire display:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/11/13/20/44/fire-2946777_960_720.jpg

cute kid cleaning

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/05/22/04/kid-2586010_960_720.jpg