Australia
Australia is the first country in the world to greet the New Year. Every major city in Australia holds lavish celebrations with fireworks and the like. The largest celebrations are held in the two largest cities; Sydney and Melbourne. There is always a theme in Sydney, the harbour bridge holds a spectacular light show and a symbol of the theme is projected onto the opera house. A stunning firework display lasts for approximately 25 minutes and an estimated two million people attend. They are also treated to music shows on stages across the beach.
Brazil
The New Year celebration in Brazil is one of the country's biggest parties, as they also officially mark the beginning of the Brazilian summer holiday. Copacabana beach is widely regarded as the best fireworks display in the world. The Brazilians all wear white, which is supposed to bring luck for the New Year. A large meal is usually held with family and friends on New Years Eve, either at home, in a restaurant or private clubs, accompanied by copious amounts of alcohol. As well as fireworks; eating grapes, lentils and making offerings to deities are also traditions at New Year.
Denmark
In Denmark, New Years Eve is celebrated with family, friends, fireworks and Champagne. The New Years Eve meal is more lavish than that on Christmas day and consists of 3 courses, the traditional desert being a marzipan ring cake. The Danes watch their Queens New Year Speech, and then all television channels go to the clock on the Copenhagen City hall to watch the arrival of the New Year.
India holds great celebrations on New Years Eve. The larger cities such as Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai hold lavish parties which include live concerts and dancing displays by Bollywood stars. Large crowds gather along the coastline and have beach parties.
Japan
New Years Eve in Japan is quite different from anywhere else. The day is spent in preparation for the arrival of Toshigami, the New Year God. The people clean their homes from top to bottom and prepare special dishes to welcome the God. The Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times, starting at the stroke of midnight. On TV, the nation is glued to the red and white Year-end song festival. This is a long standing tradition where a singing contest is held between teams of male and female celebrities.
Whatever your plans are for New Years Eve, have a great time!