New year’s day celebrations are common in many countries and cultures all over the world, either on the first day of January, or on the first day of the new year based on the calendar in use.

Is new year's day a holy day of obligation?

New year’s day is one of the holy days of obligation for practicing Catholics in the United States but not in England, Wales and Scotland. It is a day set aside to be treated like a Sunday, and is meant for attending mass, praying and staying away from work. The first day of January being a holy day of obligation depends on your diocese and the country of residence.

New year's day events

The way you choose to spend your New year’s day depends on you, as there are many activities one can partake in. You could spend your day indoors or outdoors, with family and friends, you could watch something on Amazon prime, you could volunteer to spend time and help out at a charity center. It is entirely up to you to decide how to spend this day, so just do whatever is fun for you.

New year's day brunch

Food is quite a big deal on new year's day. Sometimes it seems like the day was uniquely made for eating and drinking. A famous new year's routine in the UK is having brunch, and despite the fact that most cafes are shut on that day as they need time to enjoy the celebrations, many would be available to serve the individuals who might want to enjoy the day outside of their home, or individuals ordering food to be delivered at their residence. Brunch is never finished without liquor, and the most notable New Year's Day feast is the Southern tradition of collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. No matter the meal you're having on New year's, make sure to fill your stomach with so much joy.

New year's day parade

Many countries hold parades on new year's day. The London parade which took place for the first time in 1987 is currently the largest street event on New year's. It covers about 3.2 km, down the Parliament Square in Westminster, going on to Parliament Street and Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. It then extends to Cockspur Street and Regent Street, then along Piccadilly, with the parade stopping at Green Park. Now however, it starts at the Ritz Hotel, along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, down Regent Street, along Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, then along Whitehall to Parliament Square.

Customarily, people are allowed to join in their millions, and can also buy seat tickets for some areas on the route. Howeve, due to the restrictions put in place as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the 35th London New Year's day parade will be a virtual ceremony which can be watched live.

Are stores open on new year's day?

Not many stores are open to attend to customers on New year's, as the workers have to enjoy the celebrations with their families too. However you can find convenience stores open for liquor which is excessively significant on new year's, and other new year's day shopping, be it decorations, firecrackers and so on.

Is new year's day a bank holiday?

Bank holidays are public holidays where everybody gets one day of no work, including banks. There used to be just 4 of this in the UK, yet at the present time, there are 8 in England and Wales (Easter Monday, Boxing Day, Whit Monday, First Monday in August, Good Friday, Christmas Day, New year's day and May Day), nine in Scotland, and ten in Northern Ireland. New year's day is a bank holiday in the UK, which means it's a work free day, except if you own a retail store or a business that needs to be open during all the celebrations.

How will you be celebrating New year's day 2021? What will you be eating on new year's too?