New Year's Eve History, Fun Facts & Traditions

New Year's Eve is observed around the world on December 31st. Party goers and revelers celebrate with midnight kisses, champagne toasts and rousing renditions of Auld Lang Syne. As you celebrate the end of this year and the anticipation of the next year to come, be sure to read our fun facts, traditions and New Year's Eve history.

The tradition of New Year's is said to have started over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Babylonians. Though their celebration lasted 11 days with a differently themed feast each night, we have just as much fun on December 31st with noisemakers, hats, champagne, dancing, finger foods and local traditions to mark the clock striking midnight.

Read up on these fun facts, history and trivia to round out your New Year's Eve celebrations. You'd be surprised to learn how some traditions began, how other countries celebrate New Year's Eve and some fun trivia to test your knowledge about New Year's Eve festivities.