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New Year's Day 2024 in the United States

New Year's Day falls on January 1 and marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of New Year's Eve celebrations in the United States and gives many Americans a chance to remember the previous year.

Is New Year's Day a Public Holiday?

This is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day.

Aerial view of a large fireworks display over the Chicago.

©iStockphoto.com/chrisp0

What Do People Do?

The start of New Year's Day, at midnight, is heralded by fireworks, parties and special events, which are often televised. Very few people have to work on the day itself. For many it is a day of recovery from the New Year's Eve celebrations the previous night. In some towns and cities, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year's resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year's resolutions are to stop smoking or drinking alcohol, to lose weight, exercise more or to live a healthier lifestyle.

Public Life

Government offices, organizations, schools and many businesses are closed in the USA on New Year's Day. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. Where large public celebrations have been held, traffic may be disrupted by the clean-up operation. In general, public life is completely closed down.

Background

The Gregorian calendar is widely used in many countries such as the United States. This was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Julian calendar that had been in use until then was slightly inaccurate, causing the vernal equinox to move backwards in the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar was not accepted everywhere and some churches, particularly with origins in Eastern Europe, still use other calendars. According to the Gregorian calendar, the first day of the year is January 1.

2020 or 2021: When do decades start?

Symbols

A common symbol of New Year's Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newborn baby, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology, Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year's Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.

About New Year's Day in Other Countries

Read more about New Year's Day.

New Year's Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday TypeArea
2019TueJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2020WedJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2021FriJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2021FriJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2021FriDec 31New Year's Day (substitute)State HolidayAll except GA, MA, MS, NY, RI, TX, WI
2021FriDec 31New Year's Day (substitute)Federal Holiday 
2022SatJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll except MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2022SatJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayMA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2022SatJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2022MonJan 3New Year's Day (substitute)State HolidayGeorgia, Rhode Island
2023SunJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2023SunJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll except TX
2023SunJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayTexas
2023MonJan 2New Year's Day (substitute)State HolidayAll except TX
2023MonJan 2New Year's Day (substitute)Federal Holiday 
2024MonJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2024MonJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2025WedJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2025WedJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2026ThuJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2026ThuJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2027FriJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2027FriJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2027FriDec 31New Year's Day (substitute)Federal Holiday 
2027FriDec 31New Year's Day (substitute)State HolidayAll except MA, MS, NY, RI, TX, WI
2028SatJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll except MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2028SatJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayMA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2028SatJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 
2028MonJan 3New Year's Day (substitute)State HolidayRhode Island
2029MonJan 1New Year's DayState HolidayAll
2029MonJan 1New Year's DayFederal Holiday 

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.