New Year means saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new. Many countries have the custom of celebrating the New Year. Currently, most countries in the world use the Gregorian calendar for the New Year. However, due to different religious beliefs and calendars, different countries have different New Year dates and customs. The following introduces the New Year customs of several countries:

The United States. The most lively New Year's event in the United States is New Year's Eve. Some people attend the New Year's Eve feast, while others flock to the local public square to participate in the celebrations. On New Year's Eve, people gather in churches, streets or squares to sing, pray, bless and repent to welcome the new year. North American Indians hold a "bonfire party" on New Year's Eve, where the family sits around the bonfire, singing and dancing.

Russia?. The beginning of January every year is a day of carnival for Russians. To celebrate the New Year, major Russian cities, major squares and landmarks will be decorated with fir trees. On New Year's Eve, Russian families will gather in front of the TV, listen to New Year's greetings, and wait for the New Year's bell to ring from the Spassk Tower of the Kremlin.

Germany?. German New Year customs are similar to the Chinese Spring Festival, and the tradition of setting off fireworks is exactly the same as the Chinese "Nian" legend. December 31st every year is the German New Year. In Germany, people are only allowed to set off fireworks from December 31 to January 1 of the year. For Germans, New Year's Eve without fireworks is simply unimaginable.

Japan. The Japanese pay special attention to the New Year, and December 29th to January 3rd is a national holiday in Japan. At midnight on New Year's Eve, temple bells ring 108 times, symbolizing the expulsion of 108 devils and troubles. Japanese people sit quietly and listen to the "New Year's Eve Bell". The silence of the bells means the arrival of the New Year.

Thailand?. April 13th to 15th every year is the traditional Thai New Year "Songkran Festival". Thai people celebrate Songkran Festival and welcome the New Year with a water-splashing carnival. During the festival, the whole country in Thailand celebrates with joy. People take to the streets and alleys to splash water on each other and welcome the New Year in the joy of carnival.

India. Diwali is held around late October to early November every year. This festival is considered as the festival of Shilashmi, the goddess of wealth. During the festival, every household lights candles or oil lamps, which symbolize light and prosperity. Most family members will wear new clothes and jewelry, visit relatives, friends and colleagues, and give each other sweets.