Old New Year

The Old New Year, also called the Orthodox New Year, is a traditional holiday marking the start of the New Year using the Julian calendar. In recent times, this day falls on January 14 in the Gregorian calendar.

This way of counting the new year is often called "Orthodox" because it comes from a time when places like Russia and Eastern Europe used the Julian calendar. Some parts of the Eastern Orthodox Church still use this calendar today, though their church year begins in September.

In the Middle East, groups such as the Alawites and Middle Eastern Christians celebrate this day and call it Ra's as-Sanah or Ras el-Seni. It is a special time for these communities to come together and mark the beginning of a new year in their own unique way.

By country

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, the Old New Year is called Stara Nova godina or Vasilica, meaning "St. Basil". On the evening of 13 January, people gather outside their homes or in neighborhoods for big bonfires. They share food and drinks and enjoy traditional Macedonian music. Those who stay home often eat special bread called pita with a hidden coin. Finding the coin is thought to bring good luck for the year ahead.

People from North Macedonia living in other countries, like Australia, Canada, and the United States, also celebrate this holiday, especially where the Macedonian Orthodox Church is present.

Russia

Even though Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1918, the Russian Orthodox Church kept using the Julian calendar. So, Russians celebrate two New Years: the main one on 1 January and the Old New Year on 14 January.

The 1 January celebration is very lively with fireworks, big meals, and fun activities. The Old New Year on 14 January is more quiet and nostalgic. Families gather for special meals, sing songs, and enjoy each other's company, ending the holiday season that also includes Eastern Orthodox Christmas on 7 January.

Scotland

In Scotland, the Old New Year was traditionally celebrated on 12 January. Many Scottish Gaelic communities used to observe it, and today it is still marked in places like South Uist and Eriskay. In the town of Burghead, people celebrate the eve of the Old New Year with an event called "The Burning o' the Clavie".

Serbia

In Serbia and among Serbs, the Old New Year is called the Serbian New Year or Orthodox New Year. The Serbian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, so Serbs celebrate this day in a way similar to their main New Year on 31 December, though often more simply.

Celebrations usually include a concert in front of a city hall or parliament, like in Belgrade. The church prepares fireworks at the Church of Saint Sava, where people gather. Restaurants, clubs, cafes, and hotels often host special events with food and music. Some families follow old Serbian Christmas traditions, calling this day Mali Božić or Little Christmas.

Wales

In Wales, the Old New Year is known as Hen Galan. Even before officially changing the calendar in 1750, Welsh communities had always celebrated New Year on 1 January, so they kept their old traditions alive.

Today, Hen Galan celebrations include special customs like the Mari Llwyd, making apple charms called perllan, and collecting gifts called _calennig. One of the biggest celebrations happens in Cwm Gwaun, where children go from house to house singing in Welsh language and receive treats. This tradition brings good luck, and those who don’t welcome the children might have a year of bad luck.

Other countries

The Old New Year is also celebrated in Russia, Palestine, Jordan, Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Montenegro, Ukraine, and Switzerland (called alter Silvester).

The Berbers in North Africa, from Morocco to Libya, have their own New Year celebration based on a calendar similar to the Julian one. Because of calendar differences, some celebrate it on 12 January instead of 14 January.

In Tamil-speaking lands, the same time of year is celebrated as Thai Pongal, a festival marking when the sun begins to move northward again.

In art

The Old New Year tradition has been featured in Russian art. The playwright Mikhail Roshchin wrote a comedy-drama called The Old New Year in 1973, and it was performed for many years. He also turned it into a screenplay for a 1980 television film. The film featured music by Sergey Nikitin and poetry lyrics by Boris Pasternak, and it was released by Mosfilm studios.