While much of the world celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1, many cultures follow unique calendars rooted in rich traditions and history which travellers can experience through unique festivals or deeply spiritual ceremonies, If you time your visit to these countries during these celebrations, be ready to experience something extraordinary.

Thailand

Thailand celebrates New Year with the famous Songkran festival from April 13 to 15, based on the Thai solar calendar. Songkran is a nationwide water fight symbolizing purification and renewal. Streets become lively battlegrounds where locals and tourists alike joyfully splash water on one another. Chiang Mai is particularly renowned for its Songkran celebrations, with cultural ceremonies and vibrant parades enhancing the experience.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia follows the Ethiopian calendar, also known as the Ge’ez calendar, which runs seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, is celebrated on September 11 (or September 12 in a leap year). This joyous occasion marks the end of the rainy season with blooming yellow daisies symbolizing renewal. Festivities include traditional songs, dances and feasts featuring injera and honey wine. Tourists can join local celebrations in Addis Ababa or the historic city of Lalibela to witness the cultural vibrancy firsthand.

Nepal

Nepal celebrates New Year based on two calendars: Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat. The Nepali New Year (Bisket Jatra) usually falls in mid-April and is marked by colourful street festivals, chariot processions and traditional music. The city of Bhaktapur is the epicentre of these celebrations, where massive wooden chariots are pulled through the streets. Visitors can enjoy the unique blend of religious rituals and community gatherings while soaking in Nepal’s stunning natural landscapes.

Iran and Afghanistan

Iran and Afghanistan follow the Solar Hijri calendar, with Nowruz marking the New Year on or around March 21, coinciding with the spring equinox. Nowruz is a deeply symbolic festival representing renewal and harmony with nature. Celebrations include traditional foods, house cleaning (khaneh tekani) and the haft-seen table decorated with symbolic items. Travellers can witness these traditions in cities like Tehran, Isfahan and Kabul, where Nowruz creates a festive atmosphere filled with joy and renewal.

Japan

Japan observes New Year based on its adapted Gregorian calendar, but Oshogatsu, celebrated from January 1 to 3, retains deep cultural significance. Families gather for traditional meals like osechi-ryori, visit Shinto shrines and watch the first sunrise of the year (hatsuhinode). Tourists can visit Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine or Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha to participate in these time-honoured traditions and experience a serene start to the year.

North Korea

North Korea uses the Juche calendar, based on the birth year of Kim Il-sung. While New Year’s Day follows January 1, celebrations include traditional Korean customs, performances and ceremonies honouring ancestors. Pyongyang hosts impressive public gatherings and firework displays. Tourists on guided tours can witness these celebrations, gaining a rare insight into North Korean culture and traditions.

Taiwan

Taiwan follows the Minguo calendar but celebrates Lunar New Year in sync with the Chinese lunar calendar. Typically falling between January 21 and February 20, Lunar New Year is Taiwan’s most important festival. Streets are adorned with red lanterns, families reunite for feasts and traditional dragon and lion dances fill the air with excitement. Taipei’s historic Dadaocheng district offers tourists an authentic Lunar New Year experience.

India

India celebrates multiple regional New Year festivals based on the Indian national calendar. Festivals like Baisakhi in Punjab, Ugadi in Karnataka and Vishu in Kerala mark the start of the harvest season. These celebrations are accompanied by vibrant music, traditional dances, and feasts. Tourists can visit different regions to experience the cultural diversity that defines India’s New Year traditions.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh celebrates Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, on April 14. The day is marked by colourful processions, traditional music and delicious dishes like panta bhat and hilsa fish. Dhaka’s Ramna Park becomes the focal point of celebrations, with cultural performances and vibrant displays of art. Tourists can join the festivities and experience the warmth and hospitality of Bangladeshi culture.

Israel

Israel follows the Hebrew calendar, and Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, usually falling in September or October. This solemn yet joyful occasion includes traditions such as blowing the shofar (ram’s horn), eating apples dipped in honey and sharing festive meals. Tourists in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv can attend synagogue services, explore bustling markets and witness the cultural significance of this sacred period.

Myanmar

Myanmar celebrates New Year with the Thingyan Water Festival, typically held in mid-April. Similar to Thailand’s Songkran, the festival involves joyous water fights, symbolizing purification and renewal. Streets turn into lively arenas filled with laughter and celebration. Yangon and Mandalay are prime locations for tourists to immerse themselves in the festivities, with music, dance, and traditional performances enhancing the experience.

Egypt

Egypt follows both the Lunar Hijri calendar and the Coptic calendar. The Coptic New Year, known as Nayrouz, falls on September 11 and honours martyrs and saints. Celebrations include church services, symbolic rituals and traditional feasts. Visitors can attend services in Cairo’s ancient churches and learn about Egypt’s rich Christian heritage during this reflective and meaningful celebration.