New Year’s Day

Children along parade route reach up to touch puppet giraffe (© Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News/Getty Images)

How Americans welcome the new year [photo gallery]

All across the United States, Americans greet the new year with parties, parades and other festivities, signaling a joyful, fresh start.
Revelers celebrating in Times Square for New Year's Eve (© Craig Ruttle/AP Images)

‘Auld Lang Syne’: New year, same beloved song

As millions ring in the New Year, they'll be singing "Auld Lang Syne" during the first moments of 2022. Learn about the song's history.
Three champagne glasses filled with grapes (© Larry Crowe/AP Images)

Eat this for good luck in the new year

On New Year's Eve, many people follow traditions and fill up on dishes they hope will bring them wealth and good fortune in the upcoming year.
People wearing red costumes and dancing (© Mary Altaffer/AP Images)

Winter holidays in the U.S. [photo gallery]

Dancing and singing, Americans celebrate winter holidays with joyful tunes. This photo gallery shows moments of jubilation across the United States.
People holding numbers on sticks to form 2021, with sparkler for the 1 (© Kamil Macniak/Shutterstock)

Multigenerational households meet the new year

Many American families are planning toned-down celebrations for the new year in light of COVID-19. Here's more on how they'll spend it — together.
Confetti descending on huge crowd (© AP Images)

How America rings in the new year

Americans celebrate the beginning of the new year with time-honored traditions including special foods, parties, fireworks and midnight kisses.

Everyday conversations: Holiday season in the U.S. [audio]

Practice American English by reading and listening to these real-world everyday conversations. Here, students discuss their plans for the holiday season.

During winter holidays, Americans rejoice, reflect and reach out to those...

American winter holidays are as diverse as the people who celebrate them. But they have a few things in common: reflection and reaching out to the needy.