When is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is always December 31. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, December 31, 2026, and in 2027 it's on Friday, December 31, 2027. When this page was last updated, on October 12, 2026, there were 80 days to go, which is about 11 weeks and 3 days. The counter at the top keeps ticking down in real time on your device, so it's always current.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | December 31 | Thursday |
| 2027 | December 31 | Friday |
A little history
New Year's Eve parties go back centuries, but the Times Square ball drop started in 1907, after fireworks were banned there. Today about a million people pack Times Square, and many more watch on TV.
How people celebrate
Countdowns, champagne, fireworks, a midnight kiss and noisy parties. Around the world people eat 12 grapes at midnight (Spain), jump off chairs (Denmark) or wear polka dots (the Philippines) for luck. Since time zones are a thing, Kiribati gets to celebrate first and American Samoa last.
Closures and practical notes
It's not a federal holiday, so it's a regular workday, though many offices close early. Ride-share prices spike after midnight; book a ride or plan your way home ahead of time.
Planning tips
It isn't a day off for most people, so the real trick is planning around your normal week. Put a reminder in your phone a week before, and another two days before, so you're not scrambling the night before.
If you're buying anything for it, whether flowers, food, costumes or decorations, shopping a week or two early is cheaper and way less stressful than the last-minute rush.
How the countdown works
We count full calendar days from today's date to the holiday, using the clock on your own phone or computer, so it matches your local time zone. On the day itself the counter switches to the next year's date. Want to count to a birthday or deadline instead? Our days until any date page does that in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
When is New Year's Eve 2026?
Thursday, December 31, 2026.
What day of the week is New Year's Eve in 2027?
It's a Friday (December 31, 2027).
Who celebrates New Year first?
Kiribati's Line Islands, in the UTC+14 time zone, are the first to ring in the new year.