Civil holiday

New Year's Day

ראש השנה האזרחית

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

1 January is the most widely observed public holiday on Earth — nearly every country marks it, including many where the civil year isn't the traditional one. The evening before concentrates the celebration: fireworks over the main squares, a countdown and big crowds.

When & where

New Year's Day by country — 2026

In most countries the date is the same: Friday 1 January 2027. A few move it to the nearest weekday.

Africa

Europe

Oceania

South America

Asia

Caribbean

North America

GreenlandFriday 1 January 2027

North Atlantic

Micronesia

GuamFriday 1 January 2027

For the traveller

How it affects a trip

On 1 January almost everything is shut — museums, banks, shops, and often a thinned-out transport timetable. The morning after New Year's Eve is especially quiet in cities. Make it an arrival or transit day, not a sightseeing one.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

When is New Year's Day in 2026?

Friday 1 January 2027 — the same date in 189 countries.

Which countries observe New Year's Day as a public holiday?

Namibia, Moldova, Palau, Chile, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Guernsey, Uruguay, Angola, Australia, Niger, Peru and 178 more.

What's closed on New Year's Day?

In countries where it's a public holiday: banks, government offices and most shops close, and public transport shifts to a weekend timetable. Museums and attractions vary — check each one.

Is it a good time to travel around New Year's Day?

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Holiday dates: date-holidays · Background: Around the World

How we work