Old New Year’s Day
Old New Year's Day sparks excitement with its unique blend of tradition and nostalgia. Celebrated on January 14 by countries still using the Julian calendar, like Serbia and Russia, it echoes the charm of historical customs.
Tap into cultural nostalgia and diaspora communities by positioning Old New Year's Day as a bridge between tradition and modern celebration, driving food, hospitality, and experiential spending.
- Lucky foods for prosperity: black-eyed peas & pork recipes for Old New Year feasts
- DIY celebration ideas: sparklers, noisemakers & countdown parties for January 14
- Cultural heritage spotlight: how Orthodox & Julian calendar communities celebrate differently
- Virtual countdown events: join global Old New Year celebrations from home on your schedule
Old New Year’s Day has a rich history intertwined with changes in calendars and regional traditions. Originally, New Year’s Day was not fixed to January 1.
The early Roman calendar, crafted by Romulus, began the year in March. It later evolved with Numa Pompilius adding January and February to the calendar. By Julius Caesar’s time, the Roman calendar had drifted significantly from the solar year.
To address this, Caesar, consulting with astronomers, introduced the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., setting January 1 as New Year’s Day, honoring Janus, the god of beginnings.
However, various regions, including parts of Europe, continued to recognize March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year until well into the medieval period.
This practice persisted until Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582, standardizing January 1 as New Year’s Day globally. Yet, this change was gradually accepted over centuries, with some areas maintaining old traditions.
Countries that continued to celebrate the Old New Year did so due to their adherence to the Julian calendar, which is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. This discrepancy leads to the Old New Year being celebrated on January 14 in the Gregorian calendar.
Primarily observed in regions with significant Orthodox Christian populations, like Russia and Serbia, this day retains cultural importance.
Sparkler Showdown
Who says sparklers are just for the Fourth of July? Grab a bunch of sparklers and light up the night! It’s a sparkling way to add some shine to Old New Year’s Eve, perfect for all ages to enjoy together. It’s like giving the old year a bright farewell and welcoming the new with a glimmer of hope and joy.
Feast of Fortunes
Dive into a feast that promises prosperity! Incorporating foods like black-eyed peas or pork could add a tasty twist to your celebration. These foods are thought to foretell good fortune, so why not set your year up for success from the first bite?
Countdown Reboot
Who needs midnight? If staying up late isn’t your thing, countdown to Old New Year at a more convenient time. You can choose a city celebrating New Year’s at an earlier hour and join in their countdown via a live stream. Celebrate on your own schedule—because any time is a good time for a fresh start!
The Great Noisemaker Bash
Time to make some noise and start a new neighborhood tradition! As the Old New Year rings in, grab some pots, pans, or any fun noisemakers and step outside. Whether you clank, bang, or toot, it’s all in good fun to chase away the old vibes.