History of New Year's Eve in Timeline
New Year's Eve, observed on December 31st, marks the last day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated globally with festivities like dancing, feasting, and fireworks. Some Christian communities hold watchnight services. The celebrations often extend past midnight into New Year's Day, January 1st.
1907: First Times Square Ball Drop
The first New Year's Eve ball drop took place in Times Square, New York City, in 1907.
1909: Popularization of the Twelve Grapes Tradition
The tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve in Spain gained wider attention in 1909 when it was promoted by grape growers in Alicante.
April 1912: Birth of Kim Il Sung
Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea, was born on April 15th, 1912, a date that would later become significant in the North Korean calendar.
1918: Introduction of New Year's Eve in Israel
Israel adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918, leading to the observance of New Year's Eve, termed "Silvester" to differentiate it from the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
1919: Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1919, although the Serbian Orthodox Church continued to follow the Julian calendar, resulting in two New Year's celebrations.
1925: First Saint Silvester Road Race in São Paulo
São Paulo held the first Saint Silvester Road Race, a 15K run through the city center, in 1925.
1928: Abolition of Religious Holidays in the Soviet Union
In 1928, the Communist Party in the Soviet Union abolished Christmas and other religious holidays.
1929: Guy Lombardo's New Year's Eve Broadcasts Begin
Guy Lombardo and his band, the Royal Canadians, began their tradition of New Year's Eve broadcasts from New York City in 1929.
1934: Attempted Ban on Silvester Parties in Tel Aviv
In 1934, the Tel Aviv municipal council attempted to ban Silvester parties, deeming them incongruent with Zionist values, though these efforts were largely unsuccessful.
1935: Promotion of New Year as a Secular Holiday
Soviet officials, including Pavel Postyshev, began promoting New Year's Day as a non-working holiday in 1935, adapting Christmas traditions in a secular manner.
1945: Suppression of Religious Holidays in SFR Yugoslavia
After World War II in 1945, the communist government of SFR Yugoslavia discouraged religious holidays and promoted New Year's Day as a secular holiday.
1951: First Broadcast of Kōhaku Uta Gassen
The inaugural broadcast of Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a renowned music competition in Japan, took place on New Year's Eve in 1951.
1953: BBC Scotland Begins Hogmanay Specials
In 1953, BBC Scotland began airing televised specials for Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year's Eve celebration, which were broadcast across the UK.
1956: Guy Lombardo's New Year's Eve Broadcasts Move to Television
Guy Lombardo's New Year's Eve broadcasts transitioned from radio to CBS television in 1956.
1956: Launch of Romanian Television's New Year's Eve Broadcast
Romanian Television launched its annual New Year's Eve broadcast in 1956, coinciding with the network's anniversary.
1958: Founding of Nos Galan Road Races
The Nos Galan Road Races were founded in 1958 by Bernard Baldwin in Wales. They commemorate the Welsh runner Guto Nyth Brân.
1959: Start of Kōhaku Uta Gassen's Regular Broadcast on December 31st
Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the popular Japanese music competition, began its consistent broadcast on December 31st in 1959, solidifying its presence as a New Year's Eve tradition.
1962: First Televised New Year's Eve Celebration from Puerta del Sol
Televisión Española (TVE) first broadcast the New Year's Eve celebration from Puerta del Sol in Madrid in 1962.
1963: Dinner for One Recording
The version of "Dinner for One" commonly broadcast on German television for New Year's Eve was originally recorded in 1963. Its popularity led to it being used as filler programming by NDR before becoming a New Year's Eve fixture.
1968: The Party Broadcast Tradition in Germany
Since its release in 1968, the film "The Party" has become a New Year's tradition in Germany, broadcast after midnight on January 1st.
1968: Premiere of "Bye Bye" on Radio-Canada
The sketch comedy special "Bye Bye" premiered on Radio-Canada, the CBC's French network, in 1968.
1972: Dinner for One Gains Popularity in Germany
The British comedy sketch "Dinner for One" became a New Year's Eve tradition in Germany starting in 1972. The popularity of the 1963 recording led to it becoming a regular part of New Year's Eve programming.
1973: Premiere of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" premiered on NBC in 1973.
1975: "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" Moves to ABC
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" moved to ABC in 1975, where it became a mainstay of New Year's Eve programming.
1976: Guy Lombardo's Final New Year's Eve Broadcast
Guy Lombardo gave his final New Year's Eve broadcast in 1976. His signature performance of "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight cemented its association with the holiday.
1980: Dinner for One Broadcast Tradition Begins in Germany
Since 1980, with the exception of 1985, the German comedy sketch "Dinner for One" has become a New Year's Eve tradition, broadcast at 23:45, just minutes before the new year.
1984: First "New Year's Eve Concert for Peace" and "Midnight Run" in New York City
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan hosted the inaugural "New Year's Eve Concert for Peace," founded by Leonard Bernstein, in 1984. The same year, the New York Road Runners held their first "Midnight Run" in Central Park, featuring fireworks and a race.
1985: BBC Scotland Ends UK-Wide Hogmanay Specials
After the poorly received "Live into 85" program, the BBC stopped broadcasting Hogmanay specials across the UK in 1985. However, BBC One Scotland continued to air a local Hogmanay special.
1985: Disruption in "Dinner for One" Broadcast
The annual tradition of broadcasting "Dinner for One" on New Year's Eve in Germany was disrupted in 1985.
1989: Memorable "Skattmann" Sketch on Áramótaskaupið
A 1989 sketch on Áramótaskaupið, Iceland's New Year's comedy special, portrayed then Minister of Finance Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson as a Batman-like superhero called "Skattmann" ("Taxman"). This sketch became a part of local popular culture.
1989: New Year's Eve Celebrations in Post-Revolution Romania
After the Romanian Revolution of 1989, people began gathering in Bucharest's University Square to celebrate New Year's Eve.
1989: International Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis and First World Congress of Azerbaijanis
In 1989, two significant events for Azerbaijanis occurred on December 31st. Firstly, residents of the Nakhichevan ASSR dismantled the Soviet-Iranian border to reunite with Iranian Azerbaijanis. Secondly, the first World Congress of Azerbaijanis was held in Istanbul, addressing issues concerning Azeri expat communities.
1992: CBC Television Begins Airing "Year of the Farce"
CBC Television began airing "Year of the Farce," a sketch comedy special produced by Royal Canadian Air Farce, on New Year's Eve in 1992.
1993: "Year of the Farce" Becomes Part of Weekly Series
In 1993, "Year of the Farce" was integrated into a weekly Royal Canadian Air Farce television series.
1993: Times Square Hong Kong Apple Drop Commencement
Inspired by New York City's Times Square ball drop, Hong Kong's Times Square shopping centre initiated a New Year's Eve "apple drop" in 1993, utilizing a 22-meter signage structure.
1996: Johnny's Countdown Premieres
Fuji Television debuted Johnny's Countdown, a live concert featuring Johnny & Associates talents, in 1996.
1997: Revival of "Little Blue Light" New Year's Special
The Russian television channel Russia-1 revived the Soviet variety show "Little Blue Light" with a New Year's special in 1997.
1998: Original Run of "Bye Bye" Concludes
After three decades on air, the original run of the sketch comedy special "Bye Bye" on Radio-Canada concluded in 1998.
1999: Boris Yeltsin's Resignation Announcement
During the 1999 New Year's Eve address in Russia, President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation.
1999: Launch of NPO Radio 2's Top 2000 Countdown
In 1999, to celebrate the new millennium, NPO Radio 2 in the Netherlands began broadcasting an annual countdown of the top 2000 greatest songs of all time, as voted by listeners. The countdown starts on Christmas Day and continues until New Year's Eve.
2000: Ban on Individual Fireworks Sales in Chile
Chile implemented a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public in 2000, restricting firework displays to organized events.
2000: Dick Clark Hosts "ABC 2000 Today"
Dick Clark anchored "ABC 2000 Today," a special program celebrating the new millennium.
2001: First New Year's Eve MMA Event at Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena hosted its first New Year's Eve MMA event in 2001, establishing a tradition of combat sports spectacles.
December 2004: Dick Clark Suffers Stroke
In December 2004, Dick Clark suffered a stroke, leading to Regis Philbin guest-hosting the 2005 edition of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."
2005: Regis Philbin Guest Hosts "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"
Regis Philbin stepped in as guest host for the 2005 edition of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" after Dick Clark suffered a stroke.
2006: Last Broadcast of Kōhaku Uta Gassen as Part of the 20th Century
2006 marked the last time Kōhaku Uta Gassen aired within the 20th century, continuing its legacy into the new millennium.
2006: Ryan Seacrest Becomes Host of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"
Ryan Seacrest took over as host of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" in 2006, succeeding Dick Clark, who continued making occasional appearances until his death.
2006: "Bye Bye" Revived by Rock et Belles Oreilles
The Québécois troupe Rock et Belles Oreilles revived the sketch comedy special "Bye Bye" in 2006.
2007: Yarennoka! MMA Event
Former Pride executives organized Yarennoka!, a New Year's Eve MMA event, in 2007 after Pride's dissolution and subsequent sale to the UFC.
2007: Japan Record Awards Move to December 30th
The Japan Record Awards, previously airing on December 31st, shifted to December 30th in 2007.
2008: Final "Year of the Farce" as Part of Weekly Series
The 2008 edition of "Year of the Farce" coincided with the final episode of the weekly Royal Canadian Air Farce television program.
2008: Controversial Edition of "Bye Bye" Airs
The 2008 edition of "Bye Bye," hosted by Véronique Cloutier, drew criticism for its sketches, which some viewers considered offensive.
2008: Two International Finance Centre Countdown and Fireworks Debut
Hong Kong, in 2008, inaugurated a 60-second LED and pyrotechnic countdown on the Two International Finance Centre facade, culminating in a fireworks display synchronized with the Symphony of Lights.
2008: Catchphrase Popularized by Áramótaskaupið
During the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis, a sketch on Áramótaskaupið, the annual New Year's Eve comedy special, popularized the catchphrase "Helvítis fokking fokk!" This phrase became widely known in Iceland.
2009: Malta's First New Year's Street Party
In 2009, Malta held its first New Year's Eve street party in Floriana. The event was met with controversy due to the closure of a major street.
2009: Times Square Ball Displayed Year-Round
Since 2009, the Times Square ball, with its Waterford Crystal panels and LED lighting, has been on permanent display atop One Times Square.
2010: Fireworks Display with Musical Soundtrack at London Eye
In 2010, an estimated 250,000 people gathered to watch an eight-minute fireworks display synchronized to music at the London Eye for New Year's Eve.
2010: National New Year's Celebrations in Valletta
Malta held its first national New Year's Eve celebration in St. George's Square, Valletta in 2010.
2011: Shanghai's Bund Light and Sound Show Premiere
A captivating light and sound show was introduced in 2011 at The Bund in Shanghai, commencing shortly before midnight to celebrate the Gregorian New Year.
2011: Willkommen New Year's Eve Broadcast from Brandenburg Gate
Since 2011, German broadcaster ZDF has hosted a live New Year's Eve broadcast called "Willkommen" from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, featuring musical guests and centered around the midnight fireworks display.
2012: Death of Dick Clark
Dick Clark, a prominent figure in New Year's Eve broadcasting, passed away in 2012.
2012: Lagos Countdown Inauguration
In 2012, Lagos launched its first year-end festival, Lagos Countdown (later renamed One Lagos Fiesta), to develop tourism-oriented New Year's celebrations similar to those in other major cities.
2012: Record Participation in the San Silvestre Vallecana Race
The San Silvestre Vallecana, a 10km race held on New Year's Eve in Madrid, saw a record 40,000 runners participate in 2012.
2012: Final Dream MMA Event at Saitama Super Arena
The year 2012 witnessed the final Dream MMA event held at Saitama Super Arena, marking the end of an era for the promotion.
2013: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Countdown and Extended Fireworks
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre took over the countdown in 2013, while the fireworks and Symphony of Lights show were extended to eight minutes.
2013: Serbian New Year Becomes a Public Holiday
The Serbian New Year (celebrated according to the Julian calendar) was reinstated as a public holiday in Serbia in 2013.
2013: Low-Key New Year's Eve Celebrations in Israel
In 2013, data from wearables manufacturer Jawbone indicated that a relatively low percentage of Israelis were awake at midnight on New Year's Eve, reflecting historically modest celebrations compared to other countries.
2013: First New Year's Eve Fireworks Display in Pyongyang
Pyongyang held its first New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2013, marking a relatively recent tradition in the city.
2013: World Record Attempt for National Anthem Singing
During the 2013-2014 New Year's Eve celebration in Kyiv, Ukraine, amidst the Euromaidan movement, there was a world record attempt for the largest simultaneous singing of a national anthem.
December 2014: Report on New Year's Eve Celebrations in Israel
In December 2014, Jawbone released a report highlighting that only 67.4% of Israelis were awake at midnight on New Year's Eve in 2013, with most going to bed by 12:45 am IST.
2014: Inaugural New Year's Celebration in Grand Park, Los Angeles
Los Angeles held its first major public New Year's celebration in Grand Park in 2014, featuring food trucks, art, and a projection mapping show on City Hall.
2014: Russian Annexation of Crimea
Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
2014: Sound and Light Show at the Arc de Triomphe
Since 2014, Paris has hosted a sound and light show with video mapping on the Arc de Triomphe for New Year's Eve, culminating in a midnight fireworks display. The event is broadcast live on television. This tradition was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2014: Final Times Square Hong Kong Apple Drop
The Times Square shopping centre in Causeway Bay held its final "apple drop" event in 2014, discontinuing the tradition after 21 years.
2015: Boycott of Russian Films in Ukraine
In 2015, Ukrainian broadcaster STB pulled the Russian film "The Irony of Fate" from its New Year's Eve programming as part of a boycott of Russian films following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
2015: Rizin Fighting Federation's Inaugural Event
Rizin Fighting Federation launched its first event on New Year's Eve in 2015, continuing the tradition of combat sports events on the occasion.
2015: Discontinuation of the Times Square Hong Kong Apple Drop
The Times Square Hong Kong apple drop event was discontinued in 2015, replaced by alternative holiday season events.
2016: Ban on New Year's Celebrations in Saudi Arabia
Until 2016, public New Year's celebrations were banned in Saudi Arabia by the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV). The religious police enforced this ban based on a religious edict, and violators could face fines, and New Year's related products could be confiscated.
2016: Reforms in Saudi Arabia Impact New Year's Celebrations
Mohammed bin Salman's 2016 reforms in Saudi Arabia led to the reduction of the CPVPV's authority. The country shifted to the Gregorian calendar for public sector salaries, impacting the celebration of events like New Year's.
2016: First "Chi-Town Rising" in Chicago
Chicago launched its New Year's Eve event, "Chi-Town Rising," in 2016.
2017: CBC Television Launches New Year's Eve Countdown Special
CBC Television debuted a new New Year's Eve countdown special with localized broadcasts for each time zone in 2017, marking the beginning of Canada's sesquicentennial year.
2017: End of "Pitbull's New Year's Revolution" Broadcasts
Fox's broadcast of "Pitbull's New Year's Revolution," featuring concerts from Miami's Bayfront Park, ended in 2017–18.
2017: Massive Fireworks Display on Copacabana Beach
In 2017, more than three million spectators were expected to gather on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for one of the world's largest New Year's Eve fireworks displays, ushering in 2018.
2017: Burj Khalifa Replaces Fireworks with Light and Sound Show
Instead of the usual fireworks display, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai hosted a multimedia light and sound show for New Year's Eve 2017-2018. This show set a Guinness World Record for the largest of its kind on a single building.
2018: Millions Celebrate New Year's Eve on Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro was filled with millions of revelers enjoying the summer weather and celebrating the arrival of 2018.
2018: Record Viewership for Áramótaskaupið in Iceland
In 2018, an estimated 75% of Iceland's population watched Áramótaskaupið, the annual New Year's Eve comedy special, making it the country's most-watched television program of the year. The broadcast reached 98% of all televisions in Iceland.
2018: Taipei 101 New Year's Fireworks Show Enhanced with LED Display
In 2018, the New Year's Eve fireworks show at Taipei 101 was enhanced by a new LED display system installed on the building's north face. This change facilitated digital animation effects and reduced reliance on firework shells to minimize pollution.
2018: New Year's Eve Concert and Drone Show in Pyongyang
Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang hosted a concert featuring the Moranbong Band, fireworks, and a drone show to ring in the 2018-2019 New Year.
2019: Riyadh Season and New Year's Festivities
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, hosted the first edition of Riyadh Season, a winter entertainment festival, in 2019. This festival included New Year's Eve festivities centered around Boulevard Riyadh City, featuring fireworks and concerts.
2019: Return of Fireworks at Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa's traditional fireworks display returned for New Year's Eve 2019, complementing a multimedia presentation.
2019: Final "Year of the Farce" Reunion Special
The Royal Canadian Air Farce continued to produce annual "Year of the Farce" reunion specials until 2019.
2020: Survey on Novy God Awareness in Israel
A 2020 survey revealed that while 72% of Israelis recognized Novy God, 54% did not consider it integral to Israeli culture, highlighting the evolving perception of the holiday.
2020: Cancellation of Sound and Light Show at the Arc de Triomphe
The annual sound and light show at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: First Drone Show Added to London Eye Fireworks
A drone show was incorporated into the New Year's Eve fireworks display at the London Eye for the first time in 2021.
2021: CBS Begins Televising Nashville's New Year's Eve Festivities
CBS started broadcasting Nashville's New Year's Eve celebrations, featuring country music performances and a music note drop, as part of its "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash" special in 2021.
2021: New Year's Eve in the Philippines
In the Philippines, New Year's Eve 2021 was a special working holiday.
2021: Cancellation of Sound and Light Show at the Arc de Triomphe
Similar to 2020, the sound and light show at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was canceled again in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Record Viewership for "Bye Bye"
The 2021 edition of "Bye Bye" was watched by a record 4.862 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts in Quebecois history.
2022: Scaling Down of New Year's Eve Festivities in Ukraine
Following the 2022 Russian invasion, New Year's Eve festivities in Ukraine have been scaled down.
2022: New Year's Eve in the Philippines
Similar to 2021, New Year's Eve 2022 was observed as a special working holiday in the Philippines.
2022: Last Year of Using East Asian Age Reckoning in South Korea
South Korea used the East Asian age reckoning method until 2022, where individuals added a year to their age at midnight on New Year's Eve.
2023: Attacks on Emergency Responders in Berlin on New Year's Eve
Berlin experienced a series of attacks on emergency responders during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2023. The fire department reported 38 incidents, including ambushes and assaults with fireworks and projectiles. The unexpected aggression resulted in injuries to 15 emergency responders and 18 police officers.
2023: End of East Asian Age Reckoning in South Korea
The South Korean government officially ended the practice of East Asian age reckoning in 2023.
2023: Westernization of Christmas and New Year's Celebrations
With the unification of Christmas celebrations to December 25th in Ukraine, beginning in 2023, the holiday season has seen a blend of Western and local traditions.