2026 New Year's Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Full List) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year's Day | Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu |
| 2 Jan | Fri | New Year Holiday | Mizoram |
| 31 Dec | Thu | New Year's Eve | Manipur, Mizoram |
2027 New Year's Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Full List) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Fri | New Year's Day | Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu |
| 2 Jan | Sat | New Year Holiday | Mizoram |
| 31 Dec | Fri | New Year's Eve | Manipur, Mizoram |
2028 New Year's Day
| Date | Day | Holiday | States (Full List) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Sat | New Year's Day | Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tamil Nadu |
| 2 Jan | Sun | New Year Holiday | Mizoram |
| 31 Dec | Sun | New Year's Eve | Manipur, Mizoram |
New Year’s Day 2026 – Date, History, Traditions & Celebration Guide
New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the new year on the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated annually on 1 January in most countries worldwide, including India.
From midnight countdowns and fireworks to spiritual prayers and family gatherings, New Year’s Day is one of the most widely observed celebrations across cultures.
Key Facts About New Year’s Day
- Date: 1 January every year (Gregorian calendar).
- Type of observance: Public holiday in many countries; often a bank and government holiday.
- Also associated with: New Year’s Eve on 31 December, which features countdown events and celebrations before midnight.
- Common themes: Fresh beginnings, resolutions, gratitude, and hope for prosperity in the coming year.
History and Significance of New Year’s Day
Many modern New Year’s celebrations are based on the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582, which fixed 1 January as the official start of the civil year.
New Year festivals, however, are much older and exist in many civilizations, often linked to agricultural cycles, seasons, or religious calendars.
Today, New Year’s Day blends secular and religious customs, with people around the world reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the year ahead.
New Year’s Day Celebrations in India
In India, 1 January New Year’s Day is widely observed in major cities, even though different regions also follow traditional New Year dates such as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Vishu, Baisakhi, Puthandu, Pohela Boishakh and others according to regional calendars.
Urban celebrations often include late‑night parties, fireworks, concerts, and special events at hotels and clubs, while many families visit temples, churches, gurdwaras or mosques on 1 January to seek blessings for the coming year.
- Midnight countdowns in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
- Special New Year buffets, brunches and cultural programs at restaurants and resorts.
- Religious visits and charitable activities as a way to start the year positively.
New Year’s Day Around the World
Around the world, New Year’s Eve on 31 December is typically celebrated with parties, fireworks and public countdowns, followed by New Year’s Day gatherings and rest.
Common customs include making resolutions, exchanging greetings, sharing festive meals, and watching televised celebrations from major cities.
- Fireworks displays in capitals and iconic locations at midnight on 31 December.
- Serving symbolic foods believed to bring luck, prosperity or long life.
- New Year resolutions about health, finances, personal growth and relationships.
How to Celebrate New Year’s Day Safely
New Year’s Day celebrations can range from quiet family time to large public events, so planning ahead helps ensure a safe and meaningful start to the year.
- Plan transport in advance if attending late‑night parties on New Year’s Eve and avoid drinking and driving.
- Attend community events, cultural programs or religious services according to your preferences and local guidelines.
- Use fireworks only where permitted and follow local safety regulations.
- Set realistic resolutions and write them down to track progress through the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Year’s Day
When is New Year’s Day celebrated?
New Year’s Day is celebrated on 1 January each year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is the civil calendar used in most countries.
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in India?
Yes, New Year’s Day on 1 January is widely observed as a public holiday in many parts of India, especially for offices, banks and educational institutions, although exact status can vary by state and employer.
What is the difference between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?
New Year’s Eve falls on 31 December and is associated with countdowns, parties and midnight celebrations, while New Year’s Day on 1 January is the first day of the new year and is often spent resting, meeting family and visiting places of worship.
Why do people make New Year resolutions?
People make New Year resolutions to set fresh goals for the coming year, reflecting a symbolic new beginning and a chance to improve health, habits, finances or personal growth.
How is New Year’s Day celebrated around the world?
New Year’s Day is marked worldwide with family meals, greetings, prayers, parades, concerts and cultural rituals, following the night‑long celebrations of New Year’s Eve.
Are there different New Year dates in Indian traditions?
Yes, several Indian communities follow traditional New Year dates based on regional or religious calendars, such as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Vishu, Baisakhi, Puthandu and Pohela Boishakh, in addition to the 1 January New Year.
Is New Year’s Day the same as the start of all religious years?
No, while 1 January is the civil New Year in the Gregorian calendar, many religious and cultural calendars, such as Hindu, Islamic, Chinese and others, begin their year on different dates with their own New Year festivals.