New Year's Eve is Thursday 31 December 2026. New Year's Eve is the last evening of the Gregorian year, marked in much of the world with a late dinner, a midnight toast and fireworks. Many countries have a set dish or drink for it, from lentils in Italy to grapes in Spain and soba noodles in Japan.

Source: New Year's Eve.

Also known as Silvester, Hogmanay, Nochevieja, Réveillon, Ōmisoka.

What people eat for New Year's Eve

Twelve grapes (las doce uvas)

Spain

Spaniards eat one grape for each chime of the clock at midnight, a custom said to bring luck and prosperity for the year.

Source: New Year's Eve.

Black bun
Photo: IMBJR, CC BY-SA 3.0

Black bun

Scotland

A dense fruit cake given as one of the first-footing gifts when the first guest crosses the threshold after midnight at Hogmanay.

Source: Hogmanay.

Bolo Rei

Portugal

A round fruit-topped cake with a hole in the middle, a Portuguese tradition at the turn of the year, with champagne.

Source: New Year's Eve.

Where to celebrate it 1

Our city guides where it is celebrated

VeniceVeniceItalyBolognaBolognaItalyVeronaVeronaItalyRomeRomeItalyFlorenceFlorenceItalyPalermoPalermoItalyMilanMilanItalyNaplesNaplesItalyCagliariCagliariItalyTurinTurinItaly

New Year's Eve dates

YearWhen
2026Thursday 31 December 2026
2027Friday 31 December 2027
2028Sunday 31 December 2028
2029Monday 31 December 2029

More holidays

Every holiday and what people eatFood holidaysFood festival calendar