POLAND
Some Poles simply stay at home on New Year's Eve and celebrate in a small circle with family and friends. Others go to New Year's Eve parties or celebratory balls. Open-air concerts also take place in large cities. In Poland they say that cleaning is not allowed on New Year's Eve, as this could drive away good luck from the house. If the fridge is full that day, then you won't be short of money in the new year. – Anna from Poznan / Poland, New German Literature, FU Berlin
SERBIA
People in Serbia love to party. They love celebrations so much that some celebrate them twice. It's the same with New Year's Eve. In addition to the traditional apartment parties, parties in clubs, restaurants or on a market square, many people also plan in advance what they will do for the 'New Year's Eve reprise' the next evening. In the clubs there is live music, decorations - and the New Year's Eve countdown again (in this case ten seconds before January 2nd). Since January 2nd is also a public holiday in Serbia, for some young people the reprise is even better than New Year's Eve because the atmosphere is more relaxed and entry to clubs is cheaper or completely free. And after the two nights of celebration at the turn of the year, the quieter days come until Christmas, which we celebrate on January 7th. – Bojana, literary studies, University of Belgrade/Serbia
HUNGARY
New Year's Eve is celebrated properly in Hungary. It's not just a simple party evening - older people are also on the streets in large numbers. In the big cities there are street parties and everyone celebrates together. What Hungarians like to eat on the last day of the year: sausage and lentils because it brings good luck for the new year. A popular drink is the so-called 'Bólé', a mixture of sparkling wine, red wine, rum, various fruits and spices. At midnight everyone clinks glasses and the anthem is played. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do this year. Maybe celebrate with old friends in a bar in Budapest. – Gergö, German Studies, University of Szeged/Hungary
RUSSIA
New Year's Eve is one of the most popular holidays in Russia. People all over the country are preparing extensively for this. We usually celebrate not only on December 31st, but also on January 1st. The families come together, celebrate together, then visit friends and relatives - and then continue to celebrate together for the next few days. I love this time, which usually lasts until January 9th or 10th. – Adelya , Logistics, HSE Moscow
SINGAPORE
New Year's Eve in Singapore is a modern celebration that is primarily celebrated by the younger generation. A popular place where people gather, countdown and admire the fireworks is Marina Bay. There are also live performances here. You can also get a great view of the spectacular fireworks display - with the skyline in the background - from one of the many rooftop bars. There are also many beach parties, in Sentosa for example. – Arathi from Singapore, Global Studies, HU Berlin
Türkiye
In Turkey, New Year's Eve is quite a controversial topic. Some people celebrate the New Year, some don't. I come from a fairly conservative family that believes New Year's Eve is a sin. However, I do not share this opinion. If you celebrate, you are together with friends and family all night long. And there are some customs - some of them strange: many people wear red underwear because it is supposed to bring good luck, they play bingo, buy a New Year's Eve lottery ticket, eat turkey and all kinds of nuts, watch TV and count down to midnight. People believe that they will spend the New Year as they left the old one. If you dress them up nicely, they will look good all year round. If you slept, you will sleep all year long. On the other hand, there are also people who spend the night in the spirit of Islam, who read the Koran instead of going to a party and drinking alcohol. I'll probably celebrate with my friends. Of course I don't tell my family that. 
– Mehmet Zeki, English teacher, University of Istanbul / Türkiye
Italy
From thongs to fine rib – in Italy, like in Turkey, Spain or Chile, people rely on red underwear. After Christmas, the range in the relevant stores is consistently increased. A typical New Year's Eve meal is pork knuckle with lentils. It is considered a culinary remedy for money worries.
Spain
Grapes are the most important New Year's equipment in Spain. Twelve in number. If the bells ring at midnight, they must be stuffed into your mouth until the last chime. You can wish for something. If you don't make it, it's an ominous omen for the new year. Supermarkets even sell special cans containing twelve grapes.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, apples are a must on New Year's Eve. You cut it in half and interpret the fate of the core. Cross-shaped = bad luck, star-shaped = good luck. Dishes with lentils are often eaten as they promise financial blessings.
Great Britain
The island's largest New Year's Eve fireworks display takes place in London at the "London Eye". In many places, however, there is already a lot of banging on November 5th. Then “Bonfire Night” is celebrated, in memory of the day when officer Guy Fawkes attempted to assassinate King James I and the English Parliament.
Argentina
In Argentina, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated as a large family gathering, often with asado, or freshly grilled food. In the Buenos Aires area, people get rid of the old year in a special way: many shred their old documents and papers and throw them out the window at lunchtime. So scraps of paper fall like snowflakes all over the city.
Brazil
For many Brazilians, white is not red, but white. White clothing and white, or at least new, underwear symbolizes a “pure” start to the new year.
Japan
The Japanese New Year consists of many customs and traditions - from the ceremonial decoration of houses to the 108 chimes of bells in Buddhist temples. The meal also includes mochi, a type of round rice cake. Apparently it's not entirely safe to eat them: every year people choke on the sticky dumplings.
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POLAND Some Poles simply stay at home on New Year's Eve and celebrate in a small circle with family and friends. Others go to New Year's Eve parties or celebratory balls. Open-air concerts also take place in large cities. In Poland they say that cleaning is not allowed on New Year's Eve, as this could drive away good luck from the house. If
