On New Year's Eve, there is always excitement and joyful revival on European streets. Everyone is preparing for the celebration, with family or in fun companies, buying gifts and choosing outfits. Shop windows attract customers with their brightness and discounts. Glance falls on the colorful design: everywhere lanterns, stars, Santa Claus and cute toys.
New Year in Europe is a special time when you can see another world full of magical moments. London is either Paris, Helsinki or Hamburg - everywhere there is a special atmosphere of lightness and miracles.
Where did the tradition to celebrate New Year come from
New Year - the countdown of the next period. The first mention of the New Year tradition was recorded back in 46 BC. e. This day was considered a celebration of gratitude for the coming of another year. When Julius Caesar made adjustments to the traditions and foundations of the state, this also affected the calendar. Regardless of the day of the week, the new year in Europe begins in January. It is recognized as an official holiday.
What is more important in Europe: New Year or Christmas?
In Europe, as in Russia, the New Year is celebrated on January 1. It is preceded by his Catholic Christmas, which is celebrated with his family from December 24 to 25. Christmas emotional atmosphere of fun and joy smoothly flows into the New Year festivities. New Year in Europe (the number of which remained the first of January) is a colorful celebration. In different countries of the European Union they meet him with their national characteristics.
Why did it happen? The tradition of celebrating the New Year has developed from many pagan, ancient Roman and Christian habits and beliefs. As a result, New Year and Christmas in Europe became generalized when all the best remained in this century.
Despite the difference in countries, mentalities and peoples living in the European Union, there is more in common in celebrating the New Year. Even Russians are close: a large spruce with family toys, fireworks and chic fireworks, decorated streets and houses.
Festive Europe
Tourists often want to come here precisely during the period when they celebrate the New Year. In Europe, the beauty of the streets and houses is amazing. I would like to buy all the gifts to friends and relatives, skate and walk, breathing in the fragrant waves of cinnamon and apples. At these moments, tea in the cafe seems special, and strudel - the peak of the bliss of taste.
European cities are famous for their magnificent celebrations when people gather in a huge fun crowd and express enthusiasm, wishing each other happiness. On New Year's Day, it looks especially bright and impressive when thousands of fireworks in bizarre shapes and figures explode in the January night sky.
In which European countries to celebrate the New Year holidays
Each European region has its own traditions and characteristics. Having visited only one of the countries, it is unrealistic to fully understand how the New Year is celebrated in Europe. Of course, I want to see everything that this part of the world boasts of during the colorful winter season. You can travel to one of the countries every year or take a tour, during the New Year week, having traveled to several locations, getting a lot of memorable emotions.
English New Year
On New Year's Eve, the English capital becomes particularly impressive in decoration and decoration. Festive bright lights shimmer throughout the city, and mass festivities are amazing in scale. What a parade with a royal procession is worth! Together with three hundred thousand people and ten thousand artists, you can plunge into the enchanting performance that runs along the Thames. Wonderland in London Hyde Park will be a great alternative to a "fabulous" leisure. And if you want classics in the form of delicious food and pleasant musical accompaniment, then a table in a restaurant or club will be a great option.
New Year’s fireworks are one of the wonders of the New Year’s world, especially when they are observed from the height of the Ferris wheel, the famous London Eye. The beauty of the spectacle is so impressive that people all over the world watch broadcasts with this fireworks even through the Internet. If you meet the onset of the year in London, then the countdown of Big Ben's strikes is simply a necessary action. And then you can sing in the crowd of Auld Lang Syne or enjoy magnificent walks along bridges and promenades, breathing in the air of the “newly made” January.
New Year in Croatian
On New Year's holidays, Dubrovnik is not as popular as in the summer, but in vain. If you want to understand what he is - a real New Year in Europe, then you can safely stop by in Croatia. Fun and joy fill the streets of this city. Mingling with the crowd, you can walk among the celebrating people walking along Old Dubrovnik or the main beautiful Stadun. Salutes and music are found at every turn, and the most fiery dances will be found in the Latin American clubs Fuego, Revelin, Capitano.
New Year's Spain
If someone had already celebrated the New Year in European countries, the Spanish holiday was clearly remembered by his brightness and pomp. Music and performances begin well before midnight. Starting a walk along the streets filled with extravaganza and festive excitement, you can become a member of the mass festival. Special mention should be made of food and drink, which are especially pleasant to try when the atmosphere is literally warm: the January temperature in Barcelona is about + 15 °.
The magic fountain of Montjuic is the beginning of the festive route, it is with it that the fun begins. Both tourists and locals gather there to scream the numbers of the return report, and then loudly greet the beginning of the year to the bright flashes of beautiful fireworks. By the way, the name of the Barcelona night of the holiday is not New Year, but Nocia.
New Year's Eve a la France
Paris is a year-round dream of tourists, and during the New Year holidays the capital of France becomes even more alluring and attractive. A fabulous atmosphere and bright lights immediately immerse into the charm of a fairy tale, giving a memorable experience. If this is your first New Year in Europe, then tours to France as an option for a vacation are very suitable.
Any activity in the midst of December fun is a special pleasure. Together with other tourists and good-natured locals, you can walk along the Champs Elysees, visit the sights. A cruise on the famous Seine will give you romance, a colorful cabaret show will add a twist to your relaxation, and the local cuisine will be remembered for its aromas and delights. For active lovers of clubs in Paris, parties and events are constantly held.
Portuguese holiday
Exotic New Year in Europe? This is also possible. Madeira Islands will be warmly welcomed by warm weather, combined with elegant decoration of streets and buildings. The holiday has been felt since the beginning of December, concerts and events begin to delight guests of the islands, who will be delighted with the atmosphere. You can also go shopping as the Portuguese New Year sales are known outside the country. Madeira - a reason to stay more than one night!
German New Year's Eve
To visit Germany on the eve of the onset of Sylvester (as the celebration is called here) is already a gift! German cities at this time are becoming particularly colorful and attractive. Lights and lanterns sparkle with double power, attracting enthusiastic guests in cafes and shops. Berlin is deservedly famous for its fun parties, conquering the desire to celebrate around the clock. One of the highlights of the New Year series of events is the Festive Mile space. From the Victory Column to the Brandenburg Gate, almost a festival unfolds with many scenes, tents and cafe-pubs. And on the night of 31 to 1, a millionth crowd gathers here to share the joy of meeting the holiday and watch the impressive fireworks. After the nightclubs are ready to meet everyone who is ready to dance until you drop.
Fans of more traditional leisure activities also have something to please themselves. Small areas with neat rows of stalls or noisy fairs with huge corridors, where they invite and invite you to attend evening performances and where hot mulled wine cheers you up. There are most such bazaars in Hamburg. It’s hard not to buy lovely gifts for friends and memorable trinkets home. There is plenty to choose from! A cozy market near the Church of St. Michael, a colorful bazaar in St. Pauli or an original fair at the circus "Roncalli" - everywhere there is something very interesting.
Austrian holidays
One of the cities that preserve the traditions of the Old World is Vienna. In any season, Austria appears to the eyes of tourists in all its glory, and it becomes clear why they love amazing, beautiful Europe. Plus New Year adds fabulousness! On the most important evening, residents and guests fill the central streets to go along the festive route - “New Year's Way”. Caramelized apples and hot mulled wine were especially popular at this time.
Fireworks and bell ringing from St. Stephen's Cathedral at midnight are an integral part of the holiday program. You can choose any option for celebration - from a sumptuous dinner to a street concert viewing in the city center, but without the “pig of luck”, the New Year is not considered to be celebrated. Pork that night is sold in every imaginable form, from pork marzipan to candy.
Prague New Year holidays
The Czech Republic is an amazing, pleasant country for relaxation and one of the best options for the New Year holiday in Europe. Tours to the Czech Republic on a winter weekend are especially loved by Russian travelers. The variety of leisure activities on New Year's Eve is amazing. These are noisy club events and original traditional events.
You can arrange your soul feast by choosing a jazz cruise, or take a tour of the picturesque beauties of castles and hills. At midnight home, the noisiest party gathers in the center. You need to be prepared for everything: Czech fun involves one tradition - breaking as many bottles of champagne as possible.
New Year in Polish
New Year's Gdansk is one of the best options for fans to eat and have fun. After all, there is a belief that the level of happiness and luck for the whole year depends on the amount of food eaten. On New Year's holidays, Polish establishments offer very varied and tasty dishes. Refusing to eat for your happiness is very difficult! The most cheerful streets of the city - Pl. Teatralna and Dluga.
Most choose this option: take plenty of walks along the streets decorated with lights, have a drink for your health, and then continue the hot fun in the club, dancing all night.
Amsterdam and New Year
Need a “loving” New Year in Europe? Where, if not in Amsterdam, which is called the city of romantic entertainment, to go? The atmosphere of general relaxation and fun in a series of small, but provocative parties - this is about the capital of the Netherlands. Organized walks along the main streets will allow you to breathe in the air of freedom, festive fireworks will add happiness and enthusiasm.
This city was created for love and recognition. The best view on New Year's holidays is, of course, from bridges, where the water surface reflects lights and garlands. You can meet the first day of the year in a noisy crowd, or you can buy champagne with local goodies and take a walk in company with loved ones. These holidays will be definitely remembered for their warm atmosphere and wonderful mood.
Sweden. Tradition and fun
Here Christmas is a quiet family holiday, but New Year is a reason to go on the edge. The northern territorial location does not prevent the Swedes from celebrating the whole year on the street all night. Stockholm will leave the warmest memories after such a New Year's Eve in Europe. Where to go this night and what to do? There are plenty of options. A suitable place for romantic quiet walks is Lake Mälaren, for noisy parties - numerous clubs.
At festive midnight, the Swedes go out into the streets in droves, under bright fireworks they wish everyone happiness, they drink champagne cheerfully and even read poetry.
Scotland and New Year's Eve
The Scots call the onset of the year Hogmanai, with great zeal and enthusiasm, celebrating it, especially in the capital. For 4 days, festivities and fun do not stop. Meeting such a New Year in Europe, you can remember it for a long time. An unforgettable sight - a procession with torches and extravaganza on the main street of the city of Princes. For the celebration, the Scots (like the British) have a special song by R. Burns Auld Lang Syne, which is sung by a friendly crowd to the chimes and bright flashes of Edinburgh fireworks.
Scots are masters in maintaining original traditions. For example, the first guest who came into the house on January 1 should definitely come with a small gift. Usually this is a bottle of good whiskey, immediately drunk with the owners of the house. And on January 1 for the Scots - a test for resistance to frost. Gathering at the Fort River at the Queensferry Loony Dook charity, the toughest brave men bathe in cold water.
To start a new round of life in travel is the desire of many of our tourists. Most often, trips to fashionable resorts with pathos are considered winter holidays or New Year holidays. But the climate of Europe, with its mild, almost invisible winter, is suitable for excursions. Rome, Venice or Prague - many cities seem to be waiting to appear in all their New Year's glory. A winter trip at this time can be a wonderful trip, filled with a fabulous atmosphere.