The arrival of the new year is one of the most anticipated moments of winter. Between traditions, ideas for celebrating New Year's Eve, and peaceful activities on January 1st, everyone can find their own way to start the year off right.
The history of New Year's Eve: from yesterday to today
The New Year, also called New Year's Eve, marks the first day of the year. In our country, it is celebrated on January 1st.
It is on the evening of December 31st that everyone gathers with friends or family to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Today, New Year's Eve is mainly associated with New Year's festivities: festive meals, fireworks, music… However, this celebration has its origins in ancient traditions, both pagan and Christian, before becoming a secular celebration, present in many cultures around the world.
New Year's Eve is named after Pope Sylvester I, who led the Catholic Church from 314 to 335 AD and died on December 31, 335. This date was chosen to honor his memory.
Among the Romans, as early as 46 BC, Julius Caesar fixed January 1st as New Year's Day, in honor of Janus, god of gates and beginnings.
Later, the reference points changed: under Charlemagne, the year began on December 25th, and for the Capetian kings, it began at Easter.
It was only in 1622 that the New Year was definitively fixed on January 1st.
Having become a public holiday in France in 1810, January 1st naturally reinforced the importance of New Year's Eve on December 31st, now widely associated with celebration and conviviality.
New Year's traditions around the world
While the arrival of the new year is celebrated everywhere, each country has its own, sometimes surprising, customs. From lucky charms and family traditions to meaningful symbols, the New Year gives rise to a wide variety of rituals. Here are a few striking examples.
In Spain: the 12 midnight grapes
A deeply rooted tradition, Spaniards eat twelve grapes in time with the twelve strokes of midnight. Each grape represents a month of the coming year. It is said that if you manage to eat them all in the correct rhythm, good luck will accompany the following months.
In Italy: a touch of red to attract happiness
Red is the lucky color for New Year's Eve in Italy. Many choose to wear it, sometimes very discreetly, to start the year off on the right foot. In some regions, it is also customary to get rid of old objects, symbolically discarded before midnight, to turn the page on the past year.
In Japan: a purified home and mochi prepared as a family
The days leading up to the New Year are dedicated to tidying and cleaning, in order to start afresh. Homes are decorated with traditional items such as kadomatsu and shimenawa, believed to protect the household. Making mochi, the rice cake eaten during the holidays, is a must.
In France: a festive meal and midnight greetings
In our culture, New Year's Eve is usually spent with close friends and family around a special meal. As midnight approaches, we count down the last few seconds before the New Year. Then, New Year's greetings are exchanged in a warm and friendly atmosphere. In some families, the tradition of kissing loved ones under the mistletoe, believed to bring good luck, is still observed.
January 1st: Starting the new year off right
The first day of the year is often synonymous with taking a break, and it's a wonderful opportunity to ease into 2026. After New Year's Eve, nothing beats a quiet moment at home, snuggled under a blanket with a hot drink to gently recover from the festivities. For those who want to get some fresh air, a short walk in the forest or along one of the valley's paths is a great way to recharge and start the new year on the right foot. You could also opt for brunch or a late breakfast, ideal for extending the convivial atmosphere of New Year's Eve. And if you'd like to go out, the Villé Valley offers some gentle activities for this special day: a fun walk in Villé, perfect for families, or the Tourist Office's activity booklet, which offers a trail punctuated with riddles to solve while discovering the village. Everything you need to start the new year with simplicity, nature, and good cheer.