New Year means to say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new. Many countries have had the custom of New Year. At present, most countries in the world use the Gregorian calendar for the New Year, but due to different religious beliefs and calendars, different countries have different New Year dates and customs. Here are some new year customs in several countries:

America. The most lively New Year in the United States is New Year's Eve. Some people attend the New Year's Eve feast, while others flock to the local public square to participate in the celebration. On New Year's Eve, people gather in churches, streets or squares to sing poems, pray, bless and repent, and welcome the arrival of the New Year together. Indians in North America will hold a "bonfire party" on New Year's Eve, and the family will sit around the bonfire, singing and dancing.

Russia? . Early January is a carnival day for Russians every year. In order to celebrate the New Year, Russian cities, main squares and landmarks will be decorated with fir trees. On New Year's Eve, Russians will gather around the TV to listen to the New Year greetings and wait for the Basque Tower in the Kremlin to ring the New Year bell.

Germany? . German New Year custom is similar to China Spring Festival, and the tradition of setting off fireworks is exactly the same as the legend of "Year" in China. December 31st every year is the German New Year. In Germany, people are only allowed to set off fireworks from December 31st to January 1st. For Germans, the New Year without fireworks is simply unimaginable.

Japan. Japanese people pay special attention to the New Year, and December 29th-January 3rd is a national holiday in Japan. At midnight on New Year's Eve, the bells of temples everywhere rang 18 times, symbolizing the exorcism of 18 demons and troubles. The Japanese sat quietly listening to the "bell except night", and the bell stopped to mean the arrival of the New Year.

Thailand? . April 13th-15th is the traditional Thai New Year Songkran Festival. Thais celebrate Songkran Festival and welcome the new year in water splashing carnival. During the festival, Thailand celebrated all over the country, and people took to the streets, splashing water on each other and welcoming the New Year in the joy of carnival.

India. Diwali is held from late October to early November every year. This festival is regarded as the festival of Hilshmi, the goddess of wealth. During the festival, every household will light candles or oil lamps symbolizing light and prosperity. Most family members will wear new clothes and jewelry, visit relatives and colleagues, and give each other sweets.