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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

Year Weekday Date Name Holiday Type Area
2019 Tue Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2020 Wed Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2021 Fri Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2021 Fri Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2021 Fri Dec 31 New Year's Day (substitute) State Holiday All except GA, MA, MS, NY, RI, TX, WI
2021 Fri Dec 31 New Year's Day (substitute) Federal Holiday  
2022 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All except MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2022 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2022 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2022 Mon Jan 3 New Year's Day (substitute) State Holiday Georgia, Rhode Island
2023 Sun Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2023 Sun Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All except TX
2023 Sun Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday Texas
2023 Mon Jan 2 New Year's Day (substitute) State Holiday All except TX
2023 Mon Jan 2 New Year's Day (substitute) Federal Holiday  
2024 Mon Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2024 Mon Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2025 Wed Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2025 Wed Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2026 Thu Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2026 Thu Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2027 Fri Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2027 Fri Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2027 Fri Dec 31 New Year's Day (substitute) Federal Holiday  
2027 Fri Dec 31 New Year's Day (substitute) State Holiday All except MA, MS, NY, RI, TX, WI
2028 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All except MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2028 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday MA, MS, NY, TX, WI
2028 Sat Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal Holiday  
2028 Mon Jan 3 New Year's Day (substitute) State Holiday Rhode Island
2029 Mon Jan 1 New Year's Day State Holiday All
2029 Mon Jan 1 New Year's Day Federal 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.