New Year Traditions Around the World (with Grammar Practice)
- Rose Sensei
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 7
Lucky Foods, Countdown Customs & First-Day Habits
The New Year is celebrated in many beautiful and meaningful ways around the world. While cultures are different, people everywhere hope for good luck, happiness, and success in the year ahead.
In this lesson, you’ll explore New Year traditions around the world, learn useful lifestyle vocabulary, and practise the Present Simple tense to talk about facts and traditions.
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🎥 Watch the YouTube Video:
👉The Perfect New Year's Eve Party + Quiz https://youtu.be/9DPk0VQNbnw
Lucky Foods for New Year Traditions Around the World
In many cultures, people eat special foods on New Year’s Day because they believe these foods bring good luck.
Spain: People eat 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape represents one month of the new year.
Japan: Families eat toshikoshi soba (long noodles). The long noodles symbolise a long life.
Italy: People eat lentils, which look like coins and represent wealth.
China: Dumplings are popular because their shape looks like ancient gold.
👉 These traditions show that food is not just food — it often carries meaning and hope.
⏰ Countdown Traditions at Midnight
The countdown to midnight is one of the most exciting parts of New Year’s Eve.
In New York, people gather in Times Square to watch the famous ball drop.
In Sydney, people watch fireworks over the harbour.
In Brazil, many people wear white clothes for peace and good energy.
In Scotland, people celebrate Hogmanay with music, dancing, and singing.
People usually count down the last 10 seconds together and cheer when the new year begins.
Learn New Year Party Vocabulary
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🌅 First-Day-of-the-Year Habits
What people do on the first day of the year is also very important.
In Japan, people visit a shrine or temple to pray for health and success.
In Denmark, people jump off a chair at midnight to “jump” into the new year.
In many countries, people make New Year’s resolutions to start healthy habits.
Some people clean their homes because they believe it brings fresh energy.
These habits often show what people value in life.
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✨ Grammar Focus: Present Simple for Facts
We use the Present Simple to talk about facts, routines, and traditions.
Examples:
People eat lucky foods on New Year’s Day.
Families celebrate together.
Fireworks light up the sky at midnight.
Many cultures believe food brings good luck.
🔎 Notice:For general facts, we use the base verb or verb + s (for he/she/it).
👉 Learn more about the Present Simple tense for facts and traditions:
✨ Free ESL Worksheet – New Year Traditions
Practise reading, vocabulary, and Present Simple grammar with a printable A4 worksheet designed for adult learners.
📘 Reading Comprehension Questions
Why do people eat special foods during the New Year?
What happens in New York at midnight?
Which country eats noodles for a long life?
What do people often do on the first day of the year?
Which tense is used to talk about traditions?
🧩 Vocabulary Match
Match the word to its meaning.
A. Lentils
B. Countdown
C. Tradition
D. Resolution
E. Fireworks
A plan to change something in the new year
Something people do every year
Bright lights in the sky during celebrations
Small round food that looks like coins
Counting seconds before midnight
Grammar – Present Simple
Complete the sentences.
People ______ (eat) lucky foods on New Year’s Day.
Families ______ (celebrate) together.
Fireworks ______ (light) up the sky at midnight.
Many cultures ______ (believe) in good luck traditions.
✅ Answer Key
Comprehension:
For good luck
They watch the ball drop
Japan
Visit a shrine / make resolutions / clean homes
Present Simple
Vocabulary:A-4, B-5, C-2, D-1, E-3
Grammar:
eat
celebrate
light
believe
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common New Year traditions around the world?
Common New Year traditions include eating lucky foods, watching fireworks, counting down to midnight, and making New Year’s resolutions.
Why do people eat lucky foods on New Year’s Day?
People eat lucky foods because they believe these foods bring good luck, health, and success in the new year.
What grammar tense is used to talk about traditions?
The Present Simple tense is used to talk about facts, routines, and cultural traditions.
Is this lesson suitable for ESL learners?
Yes, this lesson is designed for adult ESL learners at pre-intermediate level and above, with simple explanations and real-life examples.
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