Probably observed on March 1 in the old Roman Calendar, New Year's Day was fixed on January 1 by the period of the Late Republic. Some have suggested this occurred in 153 BC, when it was stipulated that the two annual consuls (after whose names the years were identified) entered into office on that day, though no consensus exists on the matter. Dates in March, coinciding with the spring equinox, or commemorating the Annunciation of Jesus, along with a variety of Christian feast dates were used throughout the Middle Ages, though calendars often continued to display the months in columns running from January to December

Among the 7th-century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year, a pagan custom deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings and Dutchmen, "[Do not] make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks. The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion, Ouen.

Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. The Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 (9 months before December 25), was the first day of the new year in England until the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. The March 25 date was called Annunciation Style; the January 1 date was called Circumcision Style, because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the eighth day counting from December 25

Acording to some traditional Christian beliefs January 1st, New Years Day is the eight day of Christmas of the twelve days of Christmas. Christmas and New Year's Day are linked theologically because the western calendar used in most of the world (A.D. or C.E.) is based on the birth of Christ and the day of the celebration of Christ's birth Christmas Day is on December 25 or just seven days before New Year's Day. It is also only about ten days after the Winter Solstice or shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the Summer Solstice or longest day in the year in the southern hemisphere, thus solar cycles are also linked to New Year's.

Most celebrations take place in the larger cities of India like Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Events such as live concerts and dances by bollywood stars are organised and attended mostly by youngsters. Large crowds also gather at popular spots along the coastline such as the Gateway of India, Girgaum Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach etc. More often than not friends rather than family tend to get together to celebrate the New Year.

Also Pune celebrates the new year very joyfully. Large crowd gather at FC road and MG road in Pune

Many people individually arrange "Puja's" of their respective gods and goddess(especially on 1st of January) to mark the New Year.

Christians do celebrate with prayer and praise to God as come into their church on December 31st night. Most of the churches devote a time for testimony and reflections from its members life remembering the goodness of God. The purpose is to enter the New Year in prayer.

The Melbourne fireworks display as seen from Alexandra Gardens

Each major city around Australia holds New Year’s Eve celebrations, usually accompanied by a fireworks display amongst other events. Gloucester Park, a racecourse in central Perth, is the largest and most recognised display in Perth. In Brisbane 50,000 people annually gather at sites around the Brisbane River in the city to watch a fireworks display while events are held in the city and at Southbank.

The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations in Australia are held in its two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The celebrations in Sydney are usually accompanied by a theme which is displayed in light shows and a large symbol in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 1.5 million people gathered around Port Jackson (Sydney attendance of 2 million people). The fireworks display last from 15 to 25 minutes and is followed by music shows set on several stages throughout the beach.

As one of the first major New Year's celebrations each year (due to time zones), Sydney's fireworks display is often broadcast throughout the world during the day of 31 December.

In Austria, the New Year's Eve is usually celebrated with friends and family. At exactly midnight, the Austrian radiostation "Ö3" is broadcasting the "Donauwalzer" (The Blue Danube) by Johann Strauss II, while the people are outside, watching the fireworks and usually drinking Champagne or other types of sparkling wine.

The Ano Novo (New Year in Portuguese) celebration, also know in Brazilian Portuguese by the French word Reveillon, is one of the country's main holidays, and officially marks the beginning of the summer holidays, that usually end by Carnival (analogous to Memorial Day and Labor Day in the United States).
The beach of Copacabana (in Portuguese: Praia de Copacabana), is considered by many, the location of the best fireworks show in the world. Brazilians usually have a copious meal with family or friends at home, in restaurants or private clubs, and consume alcoholic beverages. They usually dress in white, to bring good luck into the new year. Fireworks, offerings to African-Brazilian deities, eating grapes or lentils are some of the customs associated with the holiday.
The city of São Paulo also has a famous worldwide event: the Saint Silvester Marathon (Corrida de São Silvestre), which traverses streets between Paulista Avenue and the downtown area. It is contested by athletes of many countries, including such Olympic stars as the Kenyan runner Paul Tergat, who won it five times.

''As it is said all the countries without exception celebrate the New Year's Eve and eventually the New year. this is an event that concerns everyone and it is obvious that it is well celebrated!All the countries of the world celebrate in its own manner and the more spectacular it is, the better it is for the eyes of other countries.

Also in Paulista Avenue is a great New Year's Eve, with large fires burning in the midnight. Famous singers in Brazil are in the party. In moving from 2008 to 2009, 1 million people attended the party.

In Canada, New Year's traditions and celebrations vary from region to region. Generally, New Year's Eve (also known as New Year's Eve Day) in Canada is a social holiday. In major metropolitan areas such as Toronto and Montreal, major celebrations with music and fireworks are often held at Midnight. Other common New Year's Eve celebrations such as late-night partying are also major events in these cities and other places around Canada. In some areas, such as in rural Quebec, people ice fish and drink with their friends until the early hours of January 1. Traditions from other countries are also common due to Canada's cultural makeup

The Danes usually celebrate New Year's Eve, or nytårsaften in Danish, with their families or, more commonly nowadays, with their close friends, with fireworks and champagne. The evening meal on New Year's Eve is often more exclusive, and often consists of three courses; traditional desserts include Marzipan ring cake (Danish: kransekage, lit.: ring cake). Danes often watch the Queen's New Year's Speech on television. The climax is when the clock on the Copenhagen City Hall reaches twelve, and the thousands of gathered people at the city square cheer and set off their fireworks. As in Germany the national television station DR1 broadcasts Dinner for One (in Danish: 90 års fødselsdagen (lit.: The 90^{th birthday)).}.