December 31

Ōmisoka is celebrated on December 31 in Japan as the culmination of the year’s events and preparations for the New Year. Families thoroughly clean their homes in a ritual known as o-souji to welcome Toshigami, the deity of the New Year. At midnight, many people visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples to perform hatsumōde, the first prayer of the year. Traditional foods such as toshikoshi soba are enjoyed to symbolize longevity and good fortune. Television stations broadcast special music and variety programs throughout the day, ending with the famous “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” singing contest. Ōmisoka blends quiet reflection with lively celebration, making it a deeply meaningful annual tradition.

Hogmanay, known as “Auld Year’s Night,” is Scotland’s annual New Year festival, celebrated with music, dancing, and fireworks. The festivities often begin with street parties and torchlight processions, culminating in a massive midnight celebration. A key tradition is “first-footing,” where the first person to cross a home’s threshold after midnight brings symbolic gifts for good luck. Many Scots also sing “Auld Lang Syne,” penned by Robert Burns, to bid farewell to the old year. Across Scotland, cities and towns host concerts and public events that draw both locals and visitors. Hogmanay combines ancient customs with modern revelry, making it one of the world’s most spirited year-end celebrations.