Festivals of Light , winter celebrations from around the world

Traditional Winter Solstice Celebrations

The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20 or 21 in the Southern. Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence and celebrated the subsequent “return” of the Sun in a variety of different ways. Old solstice traditions have influenced holidays we celebrate now, such as Christmas and Hanukkah. Here are some solstice traditions both new and old to help light your way to longer days.

• Soyal
  
  
  
  
  Kachina dollsBrooklyn Museum, New York, Museum Expedition 1903, Museum Collection Fund (03.325.4653)
  Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona. Ceremonies and rituals include purification, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. At the time of the solstice, Hopi welcome the kachinas, protective spirits from the mountains. Prayer sticks are crafted and used for various blessings and other rituals.
• Yalda
  
  
  
  
  Mithra© Photos.com/Jupiterimages
  The Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran that started in ancient times. It marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar. Yalda is viewed traditionally as the victory of light over dark, and the birthday of the sun god Mithra. Families celebrate together with special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night long to welcome the morning sun.
• Inti Raymi
  
  
  This solstice celebration comes in June rather than December. But for Peru it is a winter solstice, and this Incan celebration is in honor of the Sun god. Originally celebrated by the Inca before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the festivities included feasts and sacrifices, of animals or possibly even children. The Spaniards banned the holiday, but it was revived (with mock sacrifices instead of real ones) in the 20th century and is still celebrated today.
• Saturnalia
  
  
  
  
  Saturn, Temple of
  The Temple of Saturn, among the ruins of the Roman Forum, Rome.
  © stefano.pellicciari/Fotolia
  The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia is perhaps the most closely linked with the modern celebration of Christmas. This festival happened around the time of the winter solstice and celebrated the end of the planting season. There were games and feasts and gift-giving for several days, and social order was inverted—slaves did not work and were briefly treated as equals.
• Midwinter in Antarctica
  
  
  
  
  Palmer Station, AntarcticaChristopher Michel
  Even Antarctica gets its share of solstice celebration, thanks to the researchers staying there over the long, dangerously cold season. While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the most daylight hours, in the Southern Hemisphere they are celebrating Midwinter. Festivities include special meals, films, and sometimes even handmade gifts.
• St. Lucia’s Day
  
  
  
  
  St. Lucia's Day
  A statue of Saint Lucy on display during a St. Lucia's Day celebration, Syracuse, Italy.
  
• 
• 
  St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice. Although it is now meant to honor St. Lucia, a Christian martyr, it has been incorporated with earlier Norse solstice traditions, such as lighting fires to ward off spirits during the longest night. Girls dress up in white gowns with red sashes and wear wreaths of candles on their heads in honor of St. Lucia.
• Dong Zhi
  Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter,” is an important festival in China. It is a time for family to get together and celebrate the year they have had. Based on the traditional Chinese celestial calendar, the holiday generally falls between the 21st and 23rd of December. It is thought to have started as an end-of-harvest festival, with workers returning from the fields and enjoying the fruits of their labors with family. Special foods, such as tang yuan (glutinous rice balls), are enjoyed.

LITERATURE

SCIENCE


LIFESTYLES & SOCIAL ISSUES

Diwali :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/00000144-0a35-d3cb-a96c-7b3d59ac0000

Saint Lucia Day
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy's_Day
https://www.unitedlanguagegroup.com/blog/strategy/five-fascinating-facts-about-st-lucia-day


























Saint Martin Day :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Martin's_Day




















traditional St. Martin Days food

Saint Nicholas Day :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas_Day


True Story – Saint Nicholas


Nikolas was born into a wealthy family, but he chose to be a monk, and later a priest. When his parents died, he chose to give his inheritance away to the needy. He was known for his kindness, especially to children. Eventually, he became the Bishop of Myra, which is now a part of Turkey. He was arrested during the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian for his crime of being a Christian. (Ironically, at the time, the jails were so full of Priests and Bishops; there was no room for robbers and murderers.) After his release he attended the Council of Nicaea. When he died on Dec. 6 325, AD, he was buried in the Cathedral in Myra. It is said that Manna (remember the story of Moses in the desert?) appeared on his grave… and this miracle qualified him for Sainthood.


St Nicholas becomes Santa Claus

Over time, St Nicholas became secularized (transformed from the religious figure to something non-religious by society). His Bishop’s staff became a pipe… and the Bishop’s Miter became just a red hat. St Nicholas Day traditions gave birth to the characters of Santa Claus and Father Christmas. The Clement Clark Moore poem “A Visit from St Nicholas” set up the idea of St Nicholas being a jelly bellied, red suit wearing, jolly man who his arrives in a sleigh loaded with toys for children on Christmas. Later in 1881 German immigrant Thomas Nast , the political cartoonist, reinforced the image by drawing Santa Claus who he based on Belzenickel, who he remembered from growing up in the Palatinian region of Germany. He changed Belzenickels fur suit to Red and White, to make him friendlier. Santa Claus (the derivation of the Sankt niKLAUS) as a jolly looking fat man. Gone was Knecht Ruprecht and his stick, and the bag was now filled with toys!
In Germany, this Santa Claus figure is known as the Weihnachtsman… and he comes on Christmas Eve.
St. Nicholas Companions

In the Netherlands (where he is called Sinterklaas), and areas of Germany near the Dutch border, St Nickolas is accompanied by Zwarte Pieten… or Schwartze Peter (Black Peter), a Moor who would put the bad children in a sack and take them back to Spain (remember, the Moors lived in Spain)
In Bavaria and Austria, St Nicholas travels with Krampus. Krampus is a scary, demonic BEAST who drags bad children back to his lair. Sometimes Krampus travels alone. He is in charge of giving out bundles of sticks (Ruten) for beatings, or coal.
https://germangirlinamerica.com/st-nicholass-companions/
very interesting information on who St. Nicholas travels with .

































Advent :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

Advent Wreath
Lighting one candle for each Sunday till Christmas


Advent Calendar , count down 24 days to Christmas , very useful for children to see time pass.

What Is Advent Season?

Advent Season is a very special time of year that sometimes gets lost in the bright lights of the Christmas season it precedes. The first day of Advent is the first day of a new Liturgical (or church) calendar and begins a four week period of preparation in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s birth in the world as it is today. It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, special music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is. There are many different traditions associated with the four weeks of Advent.

When Is Advent Season Celebrated?

Advent Season starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and leads up to the Nativity of Christ and the second coming of Christ. That means that Advent lasts for around a month in total.

Advent Wreath

The most significant tradition of the Advent season is the Advent Wreath. The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The wreath itself, which is made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

Hanukkah :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm






















Kwanzaa :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa

1. Unity:Umoja (oo–MO–jah)To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
2. Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah)To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
3. Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah)To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
4. Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah)To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
5. Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH)To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
6. Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah)To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
7. Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee)To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Tazaungdaing festival :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tazaungdaing_festival



what can go wrong

Loi Krathong :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong






































Yi Pen Festival

Chaomos
Persian Winter Solstice Festival
The ancient traditions of Pakistan pre-date the Christian era. During winter solstice, an ancient demigod returns to collect prayers and deliver them to Dezao, the supreme being. During this celebrations women and girls are purified by taking ritual baths. The men pour water over their heads while they hold up bread. Then the men and boys are purified with water and must not sit on chairs until evening when goat's blood is sprinkled on their faces. Following this purification, a great festival begins, with singing, dancing, bonfires, and feasting on goat tripe and other delicacies.
(davka)























The Night of the Radish :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Radishes

visual overload! What I get for taking a week off, Schmettering!

soar eyes

Up Helly Aa :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Helly_Aa



































Dongzhi Festival :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongzhi_Festival
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongzhi_(solar_term)

looks like mozzarella balls that last picture or potatoes. Is that how they make vodka? No don't tell me I am not drinking any! Especially not the first sip out of the distillery.

Nice video on a festival over there. another excellent posting, Schmetterling!

man most pictures disappeared again , those are rice balls .

the story behind Dongzhi

While many Malaysians are busy doing their last-minute Christmas shopping, traditional Chinese families are preparing for a different kind of festival – the winter solstice, which falls on Dec 21.
Taking place on the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice festival has been celebrated as early as the Spring and Autumn period (770BC-476BC), during which Chinese astronomers observed that the nights are the longest at this time of the year.
This astronomical event has a cultural significance all around the world, and in East Asia in particular, the winter solstice is observed with the celebration of the Dongzhi Festival.
Dongzhi, which means, “the extreme of winter”, has been commemorated with festivities since the Han Dynasty (202BC–220AD), but variants of this festival are also celebrated by the Koreans, Japanese and Vietnamese.
On this day, Chinese families gather to feast on treats synonymous with the festival. In the north, people chow down dumplings whereas, in the south, glutinous rice balls called tangyuan are served in a hot syrupy soup.
But why all the fuss about the winter solstice in the first place? After all, many people don’t bat an eye as the day comes and goes.
Well, the reason why the winter solstice is an important event in Chinese tradition is tied to the philosophical idea of ‘yin’ and ‘yang’.
According to Chinese belief, ‘yang’ represents masculinity and positivity with ‘yin’ being its feminine opposite. It was the traditional belief that on the night of the winter solstice, ‘yin’ would be at its strongest before ebbing away day by day.

While this happens, ‘yang’ regains its strength, making the winter solstice a day worth celebrating.
Although Dongzhi was first celebrated during the Han Dynasty, it only rose to prominence during the Tang (618AD–907AD) and Song Dynasties (960AD–1279 AD).
This day was declared a public holiday and people would pay visits to each other to exchange gifts of food.
But it was more than just a day of social visits, as families would also offer sacrifices of food at the ancestral altar. Even the Emperor would often leave the comfort of the palace to place his offerings of worship at temples.
In temperate northern China, family feasts are held, with dumplings, wonton and mutton being among the common delicacies served.
It is said that the reason dumplings are the symbol of the festival in northern China is because of their ear-like shape. As the winter gets colder, people believe the consumption of dumplings will protect their ears from frostbite.
There is a legend about this a historical Han Dynasty physician, Zhang Zhongjing (150AD-219AD). It goes as such: Zhang was heading home when he passed through an area stricken with poverty. Many people were suffering from the bitter cold, with their ears frozen solid.
Unwilling to leave them to suffer, Zhang set up a makeshift clinic and ordered his assistants to boil mutton with some pepper and herbs. He chopped all the ingredients up, made dumplings and distributed them to the freezing people.
The dumplings brought the people some badly needed warmth and from then on, dumplings have been eaten to stay warm during the cold winter months.
However, things are different in the south, where the climate is milder. Here, tangyuan and noodles are more commonly associated with the festival and the rice flour balls and the bowls they are served in symbolise family unity.
Given that most Malaysian Chinese are of southern descent, it is not surprising that tangyuan is the staple celebratory dish of the winter solstice festivities here.
But, whatever you choose to eat on this special day, share it with your family. For those separated from their families this year due to Covid-19, find comfort in the belief that one can always count on family to be there for you – especially during these dark and difficult times.
https://www.misspandachinese.com/happy-dong-zhi-festival-冬至快樂-dong-zhi-kuai-le/
this link covers just about everything you might want to know , to bad that most of the videos is in Chinese or other Asian languages.

Hari - Kuyo :
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/73/46/85/7346854a4aa0e0f3c409fc51ffdfaf20.jpg






















Chinese New Year :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

Purim / the Jewish Carnival
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim























Orthodox Jewish Communities :














Dosmoche :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dosmoche



This festival was started by Ladakh royals. Dosmoche is celebrated every year in February with great enthusiasm in Leh, Likir and Diskit monasteries. The courtyard of the chapels below Leh Palace resonate with the sound of drums and thumping steps of masked Lamas from various monasteries performing their sacred dance. It is a two day annual festival where the Lamas from Takthok Monastery (the only remaining Nyingmapa school monastery) who are experts in astrology and tantric practices prepare the complex thread crosses to capture evil spirits.

Last but not least Christmas :
There are so many different denominations of the Christian faith , so many different ways to celebrate Christmas .

Christmas season is a time period of more than 2 months at least for the Catholic church .
The Catholic Church sets aside certain days and seasons of each year to recall and celebrate various events in the life of Christ. In its Roman Rite the liturgical year begins with Advent, the time of preparation for both the celebration of Jesus' birth, and his expected second coming at the end of time. This season lasts until Christmas Eve on December 24.[17]Christmastide follows, beginning with First Vespers of Christmas on the evening of December 24 and ending with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, the end of Christmastide was February 2, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas. This feast recounts the 40 days of rest Mary took before being purified and presenting her first-born son to the Temple in Jerusalem.

https://www.thetravel.com/weird-christmas-traditions-around-the-world-done-in-america/
https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/
https://www.thetravel.com/christmas-tradition-celebration-strange-global-world/
https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/













Christkind ( Christ Child )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christkind

thanks to Martin Luther , in Germany the " Christkind " brings the presents on Christmas , helped by the Angels and the Wheinachts Mann .
the Christmas tree is not put up days before , but is part of the presentation , as in the decorated tree is delivered together with the presents
Christkind is a Christmas gift-bringer in certain European countries. Like its more famous counterpart, Santa Claus, Christkind is said to leave presents for children under the Christmas tree on the night of Christmas Eve.
Christkind may be translated from German to mean ‘Christ-child’. This gift-giver is popular in such European countries as Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Often considered to be the traditional Christmas gift-giver of these countries, the story of Christkind begins in the 16th century.
The Emergence of the Christkind

One of the most significant events in the history of Western Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, took place during this period. This movement was initiated by the German theologian Martin Luther. It was this same Luther who came up with the idea of the Christkind. Up until Luther’s time, German children were told that gifts were brought to them during the Christmas period by Saint Nicholas (a 4th century Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor). Saint Nicholas is said to have brought gifts to children on the 6th of December, which was feast day.

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St. Nicholas "Lipensky" (Russian icon from Lipnya Church of St. Nicholas in Novgorod). ( Public Domain )
For Luther, the Catholic tradition of venerating the saints was regarded as blasphemy, as he argued none other than Christ ought to be idolized. In addition, the idea of a Catholic figure bringing gifts to Protestant children did not sit well with Luther. Therefore, Luther decided to replace Saint Nicholas with another gift-giving figure, Christkind. Whilst Saint Nicholas brought presents to children on his feast day, Christkind delivered his on the 24th of December, which is the last day of Advent, or Christmas Eve.



The concept of Christkind was modelled after the infant Jesus himself, as Luther began telling Protestant children that it was Jesus Christ himself who brought them their Christmas presents. As for the appearance of Christkind, it developed over the years. It has been suggested that Christkind’s form was most likely drawn from the medieval German tradition of Christmas plays.
The central character of these plays was often the angel Gabriel, who brought God’s message to Mary about her unborn son, Jesus. The plays gave the angel Gabriel a corporeal form, and this in turn was the appearance given to Christkind. Therefore, Christkind became depicted as an angelic figure with blonde hair and wings. Each year, the German city of Nuremberg hosts the Christkindlmarkt, and a Christkind is selected. As the Christkind gained feminine features over time, a girl is chosen to play the part of the Nuremberg Christkind.



Christmas lights in London :


Christmas in Paris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07MSqv87p5w


Moscow on Christmas :



Christmas in Budapest :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1nv8OS1XyY


Leavenworth / Washington



Christmas in Prague :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXqCv-R23bA


Christmas in Viena:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiqNA3wwsPA


Christmas in Tokio :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phjzZPQwM70


Christmas around the world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY5_ksGMRIk


Weird Christmas Traditions around the world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7zpKdR7kSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZDvrZwJbhs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ6dCZiCtsM

Naples :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFV7o07zsGQ
over an hour long ,

HAPPY NEW YEAR WORLD :




https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/31/world/new-years-eve

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/31/world/new-years-eve

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/31/world/new-years-eve

New Year’s Eve party is probably the biggest global party and the idea of spending it in some other country excites everyone from the North Pole to the South Pole from East to West. So which of the 11 Best New Year Celebrations around the world is your favourite? What will you wear – a nice dress, a suit, your best pair of shoes? And what about your underwear?

Well, you wouldn’t raise an eyebrow at this question if you were living in Latin America or any Spanish speaking country. People here don brightly coloured underpants to ring in the New Year—red if you’re looking for love, and yellow for money.

Across the world, revellers celebrate the New Year’s Eve in a similar fashion: fireworks and parties. Still, each destination has its unique rituals. Some walk around with suitcases in their houses at midnight, some eat a spoonful of lentils, some eat 12 grapes for 12 wishes for 12 months, some wear white clothes, some throw away their old stuff at neighbours, some predict future with molten lead, some chime a bell 108 times to welcome New Year God, some send hundreds of paper lanterns up into the night sky. The list is endless.

1) Tokyo, Japan

Japan is the first place to welcome the New Year. In Tokyo, festivities start as early as the 29th, with spectacular fireworks displays every night until the 4th Jan. Two great party areas are Shinjuku and Shibuya. New Year’s Eve celebration in Tokyo is both a time of family events as well as lively nightlife experiences. ‘Bonenkai’ (forget the old year) parties are held in December to bid adieu to past problems. A popular ritual called “Hatsumode” is followed where locals visit temples for the first time in the year. Once a temple bell rings 108 times at midnight, the crowds begin to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

Tokyo NYE – At midnight the temple bell is rung for 108 times across all Buddhist temples

2) Sydney, Australia

Sydney has earned a reputation of the New Year’s Eve Capital of the world, thanks to the spectacular fireworks at Sydney Harbour. For a day, Sydney becomes the melting pot for travellers across the world. Revellers start filling up the Opera House forecourt and every inch of open space around the harbour from early morning. The formalities officially kick off at 6 pm, with an aerial show. At 9 pm the family fireworks amaze the kiddies. The main attraction at midnight, the Harbour Light Parade, has made the city famous as a New Year’s Eve destination. This is one show for which preparations start two years in advance. In Sydney, the entire January is dedicated to New Year Celebration – fireworks are held every Saturday at Darling Harbour

New year celebrations around the world: Sydney is called the NYE Capital because of its spectacular fireworks show


3) Singapore

New Year celebrations in Singapore is stunning like the city itself. While the year-end celebrations can be enjoyed all across the island, the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown is one of the city’s largest and grandest celebrations. Packed with a gamut of activities like a giant carnival, art markets, a visual projection showcase and, of course, spectacular fireworks showcase at the stroke of midnight, this is one countdown event that you should not miss at any cost. This year ‘Star Island Singapore’ will bring the celestial-themed spectacle to The Float @ Marina Bay on 31 December 2019 through a 90-minute extravaganza of firework displays and electrifying performances.

However, if you’re unable to get your hands on tickets, there’s always plan B. Head over to the ArtScience Museum™, Ocean Financial Centre or The Fullerton Hotel Singapore — these hotspots are great vantage points to enjoy the breath-taking fireworks.

And, it’s not just the New Year’s Eve that’s special. Art projections will be beamed on the facades of key iconic landmarks around Marina Bay such as the ArtScience Museum™ and The Merlion at Merlion Park from 29-31 December, and onto The Fullerton Hotel Singapore from 26-31 December. The best part about this ‘Build a Dream’ campaign is while you enjoy the projections, someone’s life gets illuminated too – it is a collective effort to support the less fortunate and contribute to their personal growth.

Lastly, if you are travelling with kids, they would certainly love to be entertained by the clowns hailing from the United Kingdom. The Great Circus of Europe will be performing in Singapore from 20 December 2019 to 1 January 2020. Relish the carnival vibe with rides, games, food trucks and roving performers.

4) Reykjavik, Iceland

New Year’s Eve celebration in Reykjavik is unforgettable – a show of fire and ice. Fireworks are quite magnificent but what makes this place unique is – The Northern Lights. Every year global travellers and locals combat polar cold to view this natural phenomenon. The Mars-like landscape of Reykjavik creates a breathtaking backdrop for the lights. New Year’s Eve is a prime time to see Northern lights and this is the only time of the year when fireworks are allowed. Locals have family dinners, attend the local bonfire, watch an annual TV show and at midnight entire population indulges into fireworks. But Iceland is not for the faint-hearted. Go only, if you can bear the extreme cold.

New year celebrations around the world: In Reykjavik, fireworks light up the sky along with Northern Lights

Thanks to the Oktoberfest, Berlin has earned a worldwide tag of a party city and it doesn’t disappoint you on New Year’s Eve. Germans have a tradition of participating in the annual pancake race – Berliner Silvesterlauf. Locals run in fancy dress for 2 to 15 km, flipping pancakes all the way. In the evening, Berlin’s biggest party takes place at the Brandenburg Gate. The 2 km stretch between the Victory Column and Brandenburg Gate is the place to celebrate Silvester (New Year’s Eve in German).

New year celebrations around the world: In Reykjavik, fireworks light up the sky along with Northern Lights

6) Barcelona, Spain

The Spanish eat twelve grapes at midnight, one grape for each chime of the clock. Symbolic of twelve wishes for the twelve months of the year. Eating twelve grapes at midnight and wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck. People gather in town squares eating grapes together, drinking cava (Spanish champagne) and waiting to welcome the New Year. New Years time is a family get together time.

New year celebrations around the world: In Spain, people eat 12 Grapes as a symbol of 12 Months 12 Wishes

7) Vienna, Austria

New Year’s Eve in Vienna is about music, mulled wine, balls, parties, and traditions. The Silvesterpfad (‘New Year’s Eve Path’), an annual grand street party, is the main event. The event lines up several free open-air concerts where you can listen to everything from folk music, waltz, and operetta to pop and rock tunes. Vienna’s best classical orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra perform New Years Eve concerts. At midnight people kiss one another and feast on suckling pigs, which are a symbol of good luck. Future predictions are made by reading the shapes formed by pouring molten lead into the water.

In Vienna, NYE, the ‘Silvesterpfad’ is all about music, mulled wine, balls, parties, and traditions

8) London, England

London is a place that takes pride in marrying modernity with tradition. And the same is reflected in its New Year’s Eve celebrations too. A three-hour extravaganza along the River Thames comprises of performances by thousands of artists, fireworks show at the London Eye, a midnight countdown alongside the chiming of Big Ben, and a massive group sing-along to “Auld Lang Syne.” Until last year this was a non-ticketed event but this year for the first time the event has been ticketed to prevent overcrowding, and tickets cost £10. If you are looking for some good deals on hotels, do check out حجز فنادق لندن (London hotel reservations).

Londons NYE – fireworks show at the London Eye, chiming of Big Ben at midnight and a massive group sing-along to “Auld Lang Syne
canceled this year

9) Edinburgh, Scotland

Sub-zero temperature cannot tone down the enthusiasm of Scots to celebrate the New Year. The ‘Hogmanay’ celebration lasts four days and includes a torchlight parade through the city, concerts, and a massive street party on Princes Street. Scotsman Robert Burns wrote “Auld Lang Syne”, and it is a tradition to sing it on the streets of Edinburgh holding glowing torchlights. ‘Midnight Moment’, the world-famous fireworks light up the skies above Edinburgh from the iconic Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill. The Scots follow the tradition of “first-footing,” in which the first guest of the New Year should bring gifts.

‘Hogmanay’ celebration in Edinburg, Scotland – a torchlight parade, concerts and a massive street

10) New York, USA

Since 1907, the famous ‘ball drop’ – in which a 12-foot-wide crystal ball weighing nearly 12,000 pounds descends atop Times Square in New York on New Year’s Eve. The Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration features star-studded musical performances, balloons, confetti and a colourful pyrotechnic display. Every year, visitors from around the globe write their wishes for the New Year on colourful pieces of official Times Square New Year’s Eve confetti. These wishes are posted on the New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall called “Hopes and Dreams”.

New year celebrations around the world: In New York City the Times Square Ball Drop is a big event

this year

11) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio is the place for the partygoers who love to dance with the sea waves in the summertime of southern hemisphere. The fantastic fireworks are held at Copacabana Beach. People attending the event come dressed in white and bring flowers, which they throw in the water as a ritual offering to the sea goddess. Champagne literally flows like water. Eating grapes and lentils are considered good luck rituals.

New year celebrations around the world: In Rio de Janeiro NYE people dress in white and celebrate on Copacabana beach

There are many more interesting and strange New Year’s Eve rituals like in Ireland Maids place mistletoe under the pillow to find future husbands. In Denmark Dishes and crockery are broken against neighbours’ doors; the bigger the debris, the greater the luck. In the Philippines: Most people wear polka dots and eat round-shaped foods for good luck.

In Ecuador Scarecrows made of wood and newspaper bits are burnt to destroy the past and bring in the new. In Chile New Year is rung in with the dead. People head to the cemetery and start the year at the graves of their departed ones.

By: FE Online January 1 , 2021 3:19 pm

1. 
   New Year 2021 photos: Only a handful of invited guests, including health care workers and others from the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, gathered in New York's Times Square to witness the dropping of the New Year's Eve ball, marking the end of a sobering 2020 and a hopeful start to 2021. It was a subdued celebration from across the world amid coronavirus pandemic. Scores of New Year's Eve events have been similarly curtailed or moved online. Let us take a look at some spectacular fireworks photos from around the world:

By: FE Online January 1 , 2021 3:19 pm

Fireworks explode over a not-too-crowded square with a Christmas tree and and the main mosque during New Year's celebrations in Grozny, Russia.

Fireworks explode over the Kremlin and almost empty Red Square during New Year's celebrations in Moscow, Russia.

This showing a general view of the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris very early on New Year's Day. As the world says goodbye to 2020, there will be countdowns and live performances, but no massed jubilant crowds in traditional gathering spots like the Champs Elysees in Paris and New York City's Times Square this New Year's Eve. The virus that ruined 2020 has led to cancelations of most fireworks displays and public events in favor of made-for-TV-only moments in party spots like London and Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo)

A light show is seen over Tower Bridge in the new year amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

outbreak, in London, Britain.

Musicians watch as fireworks explode over Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate during the New Year Celebrations in Berlin, Germany.

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's day celebrations, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Athens, Greece.

Fireworks explode behind the towers of the Kremlin during New Year's Day celebrations in Moscow, Russia.

Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year's Eve celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Fireworks explode over Pyongyang during New Year's day celebrations in this photo supplied by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 1, 2021.

Fireworks explode over the new suspension bridge crossing the River Nile and named the Tahya Misr (Long Live Egypt) bridge, during New Year celebrations amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Cairo, Egypt.

New Year 2021: This New Year's Eve is being celebrated like no other, with pandemic restrictions limiting crowds and many people bidding farewell to a year they'd prefer to forget. New Zealand and Australia were among the first nations to ring in 2021 due to their proximity to the International Date Line. Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as New Year celebrations begin in Sydney, Australia.

New Year 2021: Fireworks are launched from Auckland's Sky Tower to mark the changing of the year on New Year's eve in Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand and its South Pacific island neighbors have no COVID-19, and New Year celebrations there are the same as ever.

Happy New Year 2021: Fireworks explode over Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, during New Year celebrations. New Zealand and its South Pacific island neighbors have no COVID-19, and New Year celebrations there are the same as ever.

New Year 2021: Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as New Year celebrations begin in Sydney, Australia. A million people would usually crowd the Sydney Harbor to watch the annual fireworks that center on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But this year authorities advised revelers to watch the fireworks on television as the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria battle to curb new COVID-19 outbreaks.

Happy New Year 2021: Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge during downsized New Year's Eve celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Australia.

New Year's Eve: Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge during downsized New Year's Eve celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Australia.

The crowd watch as fireworks explode from the landmark building Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan.

Happy New Year 2021: Dubai celebrates the new year in India by reflecting their national flag on the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to mark New Year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Fireworks detonate from the Taipei 101 building during the New Year's celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan.

2020 -----------> 2021

Fireworks explode on New Year's Eve during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand.

People use their mobile phones as fireworks explode on New Year's Eve, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand.

New Years Eve 2021: Fireworks explode over Chao Phraya River during the New Year celebrations amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fireworks explode on New Year's Eve, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Happy New Year 2021: People wearing face masks gather at a shopping mall as The New Year countdown celebrations and crowded events were banned amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Happy New Year 2021: A woman wearing a mask takes pictures at a shopping mall as The New Year countdown celebrations and crowded events were banned amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand.

New Year's Eve: People watch a light show, as the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks are cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Marina Bay in Singapore.

New Year 2021: A man wears 2021 glasses as a small number of people begin celebrating New Year's Eve at the Sydney Harbour waterfront amidst tightened COVID-19 prevention regulations in Sydney, Australia.

Priests perform 'Ganga Aarti' as people prepare to welcome the New Year 2021, in Varanasi,.

An illuminated Raisina Hill on the eve of the New Year 2021, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.

New Year 2021: A security guard stands on duty as a phoenix is shown on a big screen in Beijing, China.

People pose for a picture next to an installation at a mall on New Year's Eve in Mumbai.

Only people with ticket were allowed to the celebration

New year in Mexico



Epiphany / 3 King day :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)



Puerto Rico :









Mexico :


Celebrating Three King’s Day in Mexico
When I was growing up, Santa Claus wasn’t such a big thing. Families exchanged gifts on December 25th, but the special gifts were brought by los Tres Reyes Magos. In this post, I will share some of my experiences growing up with the Reyes Magos and the gifts they brought.

Photo taken by Charo Pascual found on Flickr.com with Public Domain Mark 1.0

Bearing gifts

According to Christian belief, the three kings (also known as three wise men in some areas) or the Reyes Magos, arrived at Jesus’s birth bearing gifts of oro or gold, incienso or incense, and mirra or myrrh. The three Reyes Magos are an important figure in the story of Jesus’s birth including the Nativity scenes or nacimientos that are common in Mexican households.
It is with this belief that Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar started bringing regalos or presents to children all over the world. Like most religious traditions, Mexico adopted this from Spain. Just like with Santa Claus, children write a letter to the reyes to ask them for certain gifts. In Mexico, some schools organize “sending out” parties where the letters are placed inside balloons. The Mexican postal service can also deliver the letters to the reyes. Children can also leave their letters inside one of their shoes.
And on the night between January 5th and 6th, before going to bed, children must put a shoe out so that the reyes know where to leave the presents. After a very sleepless night, they run to their living rooms to see what the reyes have brought them. January 6th is then a day to play with your new
toys! I remember one year when I was quite young, we were able to take our toys to school and all day we just played and shared our toys. I don’t know what else we did at school, but I do remember being very excited to show my gifts to my friends. More recently, the department of education has extended the Christmas vacations until after the 6th allowing families to celebrate at home.
Rosca de Reyes

As an adult, my favorite part of this tradition is the rosca de reyes which is a delicious bread with fruits.On January 5th, Mexican families have the rosca and hot chocolate or atole for dinner. Inside the rosca, there are several baby Jesus, and, according to tradition, those who get baby Jesus in their slice, are responsible for the next religious party, La Candelaria or Candlemas on February 2nd.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/266055-three-kings-day-celebrated-in-mexico-city








Tens of thousands of Mexicans wolfed down a 1.2-mile long king cake on Thursday, polishing it off in less than half-an-hour during the traditional feast in downtown Mexico City.

The Epiphany pastry weighed almost 9.4 tons and was made with 4.9 tons of flour, 2.8 tons of butter, one ton of sugar and marmalade, hundreds of pounds of candied fruits and more than 43,000 eggs, the city government said.

Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera was among the first people to take a bite from the "Rosca de Reyes," which was placed along tables in the historic Zocalo Plaza. Some 200,000 pieces were distributed.

Mexican families eat the bread in the run-up to the Epiphany on January 6, the day Christians believe the Three Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby Jesus.

A baby Jesus figurine is hidden in the cake and the person who finds it must make tamales -- a corn dumpling -- on February 2, the Day of the Candles, for those who shared the bread.






















Cajititlan :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnxhZLK7a8Y
in Spanish but a beautiful video