Countries That Does Not Celebrate New Near on January 1st

The First day of January is celebrated to welcome New Year’s Day to a large part of the world. Marking the beginning of the calendar with great festivities and enthusiasm. However several other countries celebrate their New Year on different days following their customs, deeply rooted in their traditional and cultural belief system. These celebrations hold profound significance reflecting their country's beliefs and spiritual traditions. Highlighting the diversity of how different countries embrace the concept of New Beginnings.

List of Countries where New Year is not celebrated on January 1

China

Chinese New Year is celebrated in the first week of February. For 2025, the date is from Wednesday 29th Jan to Sunday 2nd Feb. The welcoming of Spring is the Significance of the Chinese New Year. It is one of the most important traditional festivals. Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Colorful dragons, roadshows, lanterns, and fun activities can be seen across the country.

India

New years in India are rich and diverse like its culture, each region and community celebrates based on their respective calendar. People celebrate the new year in its unique style filled with vibrancy and colourful experiences with a deep meaning. It reflects the country's deep-rooted heritage. Every State of India celebrates New Year as per the local calendar. It usually takes place on the 14th or 15th of April but for the year 2025 it's starting around March For eg: West Bengal and Assam celebrate it on the 14th or 15th of April and they are known as Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh) and in Assam as Bohag Bihu whereas Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and few other southern states along with Maharashtra this time will be witnessing New Year on 30th March Sunday and the day is known as Ugadi and Puthandu respectively. In Maharashtra state, it is known as Gudi Padwa.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka celebrates on 14th April. Also known as Sinhalese New Year or Aluth Avurudda, the day marks the end of the harvest season.  Sri Lankans keep their front doors open this day to encourage visits by family and friends and even welcome strangers.  Food is the highlight of the day with local delicacies taking over and giving a taste of actual Sri Lankan cuisine.

UAE, Saudi Arabia, & other GCC countries

Most of the GCC countries celebrate New Year as per the Islamic Calendar. The date for the Islamic New Year or Raʼs as-Sanah al-Hijrīyah changes every year. For 2025, the Raʼs as-Sanah al-Hijrīyah falls on June 27 Friday. The day celebrates the emigration of Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina, known as Hijra.

Korea

Many South-East Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year. In Korea, the celebration is a three-day affair with families offering thanks for a lovely year that passed by. Falling on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, Seollal, or Korean New Year, is a grand affair where the locals wear the traditional dress hanbok and celebrate the day with everyone.

Do you celebrate New Year on the 1st of January or have local dates for the celebration? We are eager to know.