When does the New Year begin?
The countdown ends at 00:00 on 1 January in your device’s local time zone.
Live time from your device
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The countdown ends at 00:00 on 1 January in your device’s local time zone.
Quick, clear answers
New Year date and countdown
Calendar days and live time
The New Year page shows the calendar-day gap as well as a live countdown to midnight at the start of the date.
It follows your local time
Everything is calculated in your browser using your device date and time zone. No personal date is sent to the server.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Celebrations build on 31 December, but the new calendar year begins at midnight as 1 January starts.
History and UK traditions
New Year and Hogmanay traditions
The UK welcomes the year with fireworks, music and distinctive Scottish Hogmanay customs.
Auld Lang Syne closes the year
The song associated with Robert Burns is traditionally sung just after midnight, often with linked hands.
Hogmanay is especially important in Scotland
Edinburgh’s celebrations are famous, while first-footing brings a symbolic first visitor into the home after midnight.
Big Ben marks midnight
The Westminster clock chimes are broadcast across the country and lead into London’s New Year fireworks.
A fresh start shaped older customs
Cleaning the home, settling debts and making resolutions all express the idea of entering the year with a clean slate.
Plan without the rush
Planning for New Year
1
A month or more ahead
Set a realistic budget and note the bookings or purchases needed for New Year.
2
A couple of weeks ahead
Confirm travel, deliveries and plans with the people involved.
3
In the final days
Keep only essential tasks and leave room to enjoy the occasion.
Frequently asked
New Year: questions and answers
Yes. It reaches zero at the start of 1 January according to your local device time.
Yes. New Year’s Eve is 31 December; New Year’s Day begins at the following midnight.
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year celebration, associated with gatherings, music and first-footing.
It uses the local time zone configured on your device and shows it alongside the result.
Yes. The next valid date is calculated automatically, so the same page continues to work in future years.
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