New Year’s Eve is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States. Across the country, people gather with family and friends to reflect on the year behind them and welcome the year ahead.
Some people watch fireworks. Others stay home with family and friends, attend community events, or prepare traditional New Year’s meals. There is no single way to celebrate New Year’s in America, and that’s part of what makes the holiday so meaningful.
If you’re curious about American New Year’s traditions, here are seven customs you’ll find across the United States.
1. Watch the Times Square ball drop
One of the most recognizable New Year’s traditions in the United States is the Times Square ball drop in New York City.
The tradition began on December 31, 1907, when the first ball was lowered to welcome the arrival of 1908. Today, more than one million people gather in Times Square each year, while millions more watch the countdown from home.
As midnight approaches, the illuminated ball slowly descends above Times Square. The moment it reaches the bottom, crowds cheer, celebrate, and welcome the New Year together.
For many people, the ball drop represents a shared moment of reflection and celebration as a new year begins.
2. Celebrate with fireworks
Fireworks are a popular part of New Year’s celebrations across the United States.
Major cities host large public displays, while smaller communities often organize local celebrations. In some neighborhoods, families gather outside to watch fireworks light up the sky as the clock strikes midnight.
For many Americans, fireworks are a festive way to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another.
3. Make New Year’s resolutions
Many Americans begin the year by setting New Year’s resolutions.
A resolution is a personal goal or commitment for the coming year. Common resolutions include exercising more, eating healthier, saving money, learning a new skill, or spending more time with family.
January is often a busy time for gyms, planners, journals, and goal-setting apps as people work toward their new goals.
Even when resolutions don’t last all year, many people continue the tradition because the start of a new year feels like an opportunity for a fresh start.
4. Eat lucky New Year’s foods
In many Southern communities, New Year’s Day meals are tied to traditions of luck and prosperity.
Black-eyed peas are often associated with good fortune, while collard greens are said to represent wealth. Cornbread is sometimes included as a symbol of gold.
One of the best-known dishes is Hoppin’ John, a meal made with black-eyed peas, rice, and pork that is commonly served on New Year’s Day throughout parts of the South.
Whether people believe these foods bring luck or not, the tradition remains an important way for families to stay close to their history, culture, and community.
5. Sing “Auld Lang Syne” and share a midnight kiss
As midnight approaches, many Americans sing “Auld Lang Syne,” a song that has become closely associated with New Year’s celebrations.
The song reflects on friendship, memories, and time spent together. Even though many people only know part of the lyrics, it remains a long-standing holiday tradition.
Another popular custom is the midnight kiss. Many people share a kiss with a partner at the stroke of midnight as a symbol of good luck and connection in the year ahead.
Together, these traditions help mark the emotional transition from one year to the next.
6. Watch parades and football games
For many Americans, New Year’s Day is about more than recovering from a late night celebration.
College football games attract large audiences every January 1, including well-known bowl games such as the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl.
The Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, is another New Year’s Day tradition. Elaborate floats decorated with flowers travel through the city while spectators watch in person and on television.
For many families, these events have become annual traditions that bring people together on the first day of the year.
7. Celebrate cultural traditions
One of the most distinctive parts of New Year’s celebrations in the United States is the variety of cultural traditions people bring with them.
Many immigrant communities celebrate New Year’s with customs that reflect their heritage and family history. Chinese American families may celebrate January 1 and Lunar New Year. Filipino American families may enjoy Media Noche and serve round fruits that symbolize prosperity. Some Latin American families continue traditions such as eating 12 grapes at midnight.
These customs reflect the many cultures and communities that make up life in the United States today.
Across the country, families often combine traditions from different backgrounds, creating celebrations that are both personal and uniquely American.
Staying close with family abroad during the New Year
For many people in the United States, New Year’s is also a time to reconnect with family and friends living in other countries.
Some families send money to help relatives celebrate the holiday, cover everyday expenses, prepare for the year ahead, or support important goals. Sending support during the holiday season can be one way to stay close, even from a distance. Whether you want to begin a money transfer online or use an international money transfer app, there are convenient options to send support whenever it’s needed.
Western Union makes it easy to send money internationally from the United States to more than 200 countries and territories around the world. You can choose from several ways to send money, including online, through the app, or at an agent location. If your recipient prefers digital payments, international mobile wallet transfers are also available in select destinations.
Whether you’re helping family prepare for a celebration or sending a thoughtful New Year’s gift, you can even from eligible countries or make domestic US money transfers when support is needed closer to home. Explore the available ways to send money so your support reaches the people who matter most.
Frequently asked questions
Some of the most well-known American New Year’s traditions include watching the Times Square ball drop, attending fireworks displays, making New Year’s resolutions, singing “Auld Lang Syne,” sharing a midnight kiss, and gathering with family and friends to celebrate. In parts of the South, eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day is also a popular tradition.
Many Americans see the beginning of a new year as an opportunity to set goals and make positive changes. Resolutions often focus on health, finances, learning, relationships, or personal growth. For many people, the tradition represents a fresh start and a chance to focus on what matters most in the year ahead.
