Backpack Europe: New Year's Eve Celebrations in Europe

A friend traveling in Europe recently asked me, “ Where to go for New Year Eve’s Countdown Celebration in Europe?”   I really have no idea now since I have already come back to Malaysia from my backpack Europe trip early Nov'09.

So surfing around the web, I found an interesting article about the New Year’s Eve and the localized celebrations around the world.  Is an informative read especially for those who are traveling abroad during the year end period. Since this blog is about backpack Europe, I have picked out some relevant information related to countries in Europe and pasted below for you to check out yourself.  When you’re done, do come back up and check out this "super saver shipping deals to kick start your for 2010."

Have fun reading and exploring.

Background:

New Year's Eve or Old Year's Night is actually the final day of the Gregorian year. In modern Western practice, New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight. Many cultures use fireworks and other forms of noise making in part of the celebration.

United Kingdom

London's firework celebrations centre around the London Eye. At the start of 2005, fireworks were launched from the wheel itself for the first time. The timing of the new year is usually indicated by the chimes on Big Ben.

In Edinburg, the cannon is fired at Edinburgh Castle at the stroke of midnight and is followed by a large fireworks display.  Scotland celebrates New Year as Hogmanay.

Other cities such as  Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds,Cardiff, Manchester, Aberdeen, Newcastle and Birmingham all have celebrations during the evening.  The celebrations have been televised from London over the last few years by the BBC in England and Wales.

Ireland

The Irish calls New Year's Eve in Irish - Oíche Chinn Bliana.  Celebrations in major cities are modest. The beginning of 2009 was heralded only by the ringing of church bells. This is due to a ban on fireworks.

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France

Popular countdown celebration and fireworks display, near the Eiffel Tower, Paris.  The French calls New Year's Eve "la Saint-Sylvestre". It is usually celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. This feast customarily includes special dishes like foie gras and drinks like champagne. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante).

Spain

Spanish New Year's Eve (Nochevieja or Fin de Año in Spanish) celebrations usually begin with a family dinner, traditionally including shrimp and lamb or turkey. The actual countdown is primarily followed from the clock on top of the Casa de Correos building in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid.

It is traditional to eat twelve grapes, one on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine such as cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider. After the family dinner and the grapes, many young people attend New Year parties at pubs, discothèques and similar places.

Italy

Italians call New Year's Eve Capodanno (the "head of the year") or Notte di San Silvestro (the night of St. Silvestro). Traditionaly there are a set of rituals for the new year, such as wearing red underwear and getting rid of old or unused items by dropping them from the window. Dinner is often eaten with parents and friends. At half past eight pm, the President of the Republic reads a television message of greetings to Italians.  At midnight, fireworks are displayed across Italy.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, New Year's Eve is typically celebrated at a residence with friends. Each commune has its own government-arranged countdown in a public space, accompanied with formal fireworks shows in larger cities.  Alternatives are spending the time with family, or in a night club.

Germany

Germans call New Year's Eve Silvester. Since 1972, each New Year's Eve, several German television stations broadcast a short English theatrical performance titled Dinner for One. A punch line from the comedy sketch, "same procedure as every year", has become a catch phrase in Germany. 

Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe which is attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate and the fireworks at midnight centered around that location. Germans have a reputation of spending large amounts of money on firecrackers and fireworks.

Belgium

Belgian New Year's Eve celebrations are held in all large cities on 1 January. These celebrations are usually accompanied by fireworks.

Netherlands

New Year's Eve is called Oud en Nieuw ("Old and New") or simply  oude jaar savond  ("old year's evening"), and is usually celebrated as a cosy evening with family or friends. On television, the main feature is the oude jars conférence, a performance by one of the major Dutch cabaretiers. In Reformed Protestant families, Psalm 90 is read, although this tradition is now fading away. 

Many people fire off their own fireworks, which are on sale from a few days before; towns don't organise a central fireworks display. Public transport shuts down completely between approximately 20:00 and 01:00. 

Sweden

In Sweden, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with families or with friends. A few hours before and after midnight, people usually party and eat a nicer dinner, often three courses.

New Year's Eve is celebrated with large fireworks displays throughout the country, especially in the cities. People over 18 are allowed to buy fireworks, which are sold by local stores or by private persons. While watching or lighting up fireworks at midnight, people usually drink champagne.

Iceland

In Iceland the biggest New Year events are usually in the greater Reykjavik area.  Fireworks are very popular in Iceland. Bonfires are also set in several places throughout the country and are often accompanied with shows, musical events and sometimes food tables.

Turkey

Numerous decorations and customs traditionally associated with Christmas and Bayrams find a secular translation in Turkish New Year's Eve celebrations. Municipalities all around the country organize fundraising events for the poor, celebratory public concerts and traditional forms of entertainment such as the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow-theater .

Public and private parties with large public attendances are organised in a number of cities and towns, with the biggest celebrations taking place in Istanbul's Taksim, Beyoğlu, Nişantaşıand Kadıköy districts and Ankara's Kızılay Square, which generally feature dancing, concerts, laser and lightshows as well as the traditional countdown and fireworks display.


KISS Nuggets:
If you have some great places to recommend for New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration, we love to hear from you.


Wishing all a wonderful New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration and Happy New Year 2010!