The traditions: In order for the New Year's celebration to be truly Japanese, the locals honor ancestral customs focused on reflection and renewal. Many tokyots celebrate the jewel-no-kanea bell ceremony in temples to clean the spirit, while the tradition of eating Toshikoshi Soba – long fide of Sarracene wheat – symbolizes longevity and resistance. After midnight, many go to Hatsumodethe first visit of the year to a sanctuary, to ask for good luck. And on January 2, the crowds meet in the Tokyo Imperial Palacewhere the emperor makes a rare public appearance, greeting supporters in one of the Newsst New Year's Traditions from Japan.
Athens, Greece
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The perfect scenario: In Athens, acropolis becomes the center of attention while fireworks paint the sky over its old silhouette. The streets are filled with energy when the locals and visitors sing, dance and encourage to enter the New Year, while innumerable parties light the city. Among them, the Cultural Center of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation stands out for its spectacular annual gala, in which classical music concerts, ballet representations and renowned artists. For the rest, restaurants with Michelin stars like Hytra and Spondi serve exquisite tasting menus, which mix the Greek tradition with modern culinary mastery, offering a luxurious way to welcome the New Year.
The traditions: From the basil plant that is placed at the entrance door to scare away evil spirits to the festive banquets that follow it, the Greek new year is full of symbolic rituals and cheerful celebrations. The table is filled with roasted meats, Melomakarona (honey bathed cookies) and Koubiedes (almond sweets), while the culminating moment of the night is to cut the Vasilopitaa cake with a hidden currency. It is said that the lucky person who finds the currency in their portion of Vasilopita You will receive good luck for the coming year. Upon midnight, families break a grenade at the door of their homes: the outbreak of the grains symbolizes prosperity, and the more disorderly the explosion is, the more luck it will be the year.
Orlando, United States
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The perfect scenario: Orlando, headquarters of Walt Disney World, completes our list of the best places to celebrate the New Year 2025. Do you need to say more?
The traditions: It is «the happiest place in the world», so how are the Walt Disney World New Year celebrations magical? Although some pavilions celebrate mini parties, the main attraction is the fireworks show in Cinderella's castle. There are two time stripes: at midnight and a more childish option at 6:30 p.m.
Article originally published in AD Middle East.