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Unbelievable new years countdown differences

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Born in Málaga, Spain, Cris has always had a passion for languages; learning English as a second language himself. Cris has worked for in a wide variety of roles for different companies in the ELT space. Cris is a musician, a basketballer and self-professed “gamer”.

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6 October 2020

New Years Eve has come and gone again, and we wanted to take a look at the different ways that the new years countdown is celebrated all around the world.

In other places around the world, people do things a little bit differently. Here's a few of the ways people celebrate New Year's Eve:

USA

New Year's Eve is a big deal in America, and watching the "ball drop" at midnight in New York's Times Square is one of the most seen new year's eve live events worldwide. The countdown starts 60 seconds before midnight and you will always want to have that special person with you to kiss one the new year comes in.

students celebrating in new york — Being in NYC during new years eve it's an amazing experience some of our students are very lucky to live!

Scotland

In Scotland, New Year's Eve is called Hogmanay, The city closes it's doors to a big market festivity, in which people can enjoy different type of spectacles while they drink or eat from the little shops. The countdown is announced every hour and it's retransmitted through big screens all around the big city venue.

Edinburgh hosts one of the world's most famous New Year's Eve celebrations.

Australia

In Australia, they celebrate New Year’s Eve in the summer season!. Fireworks mark the end of the new year, the most elaborate occurring at midnight in Sydney Harbor.

Spain

In Spain, people celebrate by eating a grape with each of the twelve chimes of a clock's bell during the new years countdown. It's really common to end up yelling "Happy New Year" with lots of grapes in your mouth!

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has its own Times Square shopping mall, where they hold their own version of the ball drop that has become famous in New York City.

Italy

In Italy people enjoy celebrating a few ancient traditions, like wearing red underwear. Revellers enjoy a dinner usually made with pig trotters and lentils, and a spoonful is eaten with every chime of the bell at midnight.

It’s time to get planning!