Live countdown to January 1, 2027 -- updated every second.
New Year's Day marks the beginning of the calendar year and is one of the most universally celebrated holidays on Earth. Observed in virtually every country, the transition from one year to the next is a moment of reflection, celebration, and renewed hope. People around the world gather with friends and family, attend parties, watch fireworks, and make resolutions for the year ahead. The countdown to midnight on December 31 is one of the most iconic shared moments in global culture.
The celebration of a new year is one of the oldest holidays, dating back at least 4,000 years to ancient Babylon, where the new year was celebrated in mid-March during the first new moon after the vernal equinox. The Romans originally observed the new year in March as well, but in 153 BC, the Roman Senate moved the beginning of the civil year to January 1. When Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BC, he established January 1 as the official start of the year. The Gregorian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and gradually adopted worldwide, retained this date. The month of January is named after Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doorways and transitions, symbolizing the ability to look back at the past and forward to the future.
New Year celebrations take remarkably different forms across cultures. In the United States, the iconic ball drop in New York City's Times Square draws over one million spectators and is watched by billions on television worldwide. The tradition began in 1907 and features a crystal-covered ball descending a flagpole in the final 60 seconds of the year. In Sydney, Australia, a spectacular fireworks display over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House is one of the first major celebrations each year due to the time zone. In Edinburgh, Scotland, Hogmanay celebrations span several days and include torchlight processions, concerts, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." In Japan, Buddhist temples ring bells 108 times at midnight to cleanse the 108 human sins. In Spain, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock, for good luck in the 12 months ahead.
Many cultures have specific traditions believed to bring luck and prosperity in the new year. In the American South, eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck and money. In Denmark, people throw unused plates at the doors of friends and family -- a large pile of broken dishes on your doorstep means you have many loyal friends. In Brazil, wearing white clothing on New Year's Eve symbolizes peace and renewal. In the Philippines, round shapes (round fruits, polka-dot clothing, coins) are believed to attract wealth, as circles represent prosperity. In many Latin American countries, wearing yellow underwear is thought to bring good fortune, while red underwear promises romance in the coming year.
The tradition of making New Year's resolutions dates back thousands of years. The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year. Today, an estimated 40% to 45% of American adults make at least one resolution each January. The most common goals include improving physical health, managing finances better, learning new things, and strengthening relationships. Research from the University of Scranton suggests that only about 8% to 12% of people successfully maintain their resolutions throughout the entire year. Psychologists recommend making resolutions more achievable by being specific (rather than "exercise more," try "walk 30 minutes three times per week"), tracking progress, telling friends for accountability, and starting with small changes that build momentum.
Because of Earth's time zones, the new year does not arrive simultaneously worldwide. The first major population centers to celebrate are in the Pacific Islands. The Line Islands of Kiribati (UTC+14) are the first inhabited places to enter the new year, followed by New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. From there, the celebration sweeps westward through Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The last inhabited places to ring in the new year are Baker Island and Howland Island in the central Pacific (UTC-12), a full 26 hours after Kiribati. This means that at any point during the transition, the new year is being celebrated somewhere on Earth for more than a full day.
Check the live countdown above for the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining until January 1, 2027.
New Year's Day 2027 falls on a Friday. New Year's Eve celebrations will be on Thursday night.
The Line Islands of Kiribati (UTC+14) ring in the new year first, followed by New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. The last places are Baker and Howland Islands (UTC-12), 26 hours later.
January 1 was established by the Romans and retained in the Gregorian calendar (1582). January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions.
Exercising more, eating healthier, saving money, losing weight, learning new skills, and spending more time with family. Only about 8-12% of people keep their resolutions all year.