How long until New Year?

The counter above shows the exact time to midnight on 1 January in your time zone.

Is 2 January a holiday?

In Scotland and New Zealand, yes. In 2027 it falls on a Saturday, so the substitute day is Monday 4 January.

New Year Countdown

The clock below counts down to midnight on 1 January in your own time zone, then automatically resets for the following year.

Last updated: 8 November 2026

Countdown to 1 January

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Who celebrates New Year first?

The first places to reach midnight are the islands of Kiribati, including Kiritimati (Christmas Island), at UTC+14. New Zealand follows an hour later in summer time, then eastern Australia, Japan and Korea, China and much of South-East Asia. London reaches midnight at UTC, New York five hours later, and the last inhabited places — American Samoa and Niue at UTC−11 — welcome the new year about 25 hours after Kiribati.

New Year holidays to know

1 January is a public holiday almost everywhere that uses the Gregorian calendar.
Scotland also has a bank holiday on 2 January; in 2027 it falls on a Saturday, so the substitute day is Monday 4 January.
Japan treats 1–3 January as the main New Year holiday (shogatsu); many businesses close from 29 December to 3 January.
New Zealand has a Day after New Year's Day holiday on 2 January (observed on Monday 4 January in 2027).
In 2027, 1 January is a Friday, giving a three-day weekend in many countries.

Lunar and other new years

Not every new year starts on 1 January. Chinese New Year 2027 and Tet fall on 6 February, Thailand's Songkran is in mid-April, and the Islamic new year moves about 11 days earlier each year.

Spending New Year's Eve away?

Cities with famous fireworks — Sydney, Hong Kong, London, Taipei and Tokyo's temple bells — get booked out weeks in advance. This guide to where to stay for New Year's Eve compares the main cities by fireworks views and transport.

Frequently asked questions

How long until New Year?: The counter above shows the exact time to midnight on 1 January in your time zone.
What day of the week is 1 January 2027?: Friday.
Which country celebrates New Year first?: Kiribati, at UTC+14.
Is 2 January a holiday?: In Scotland and New Zealand, yes. In 2027 it falls on a Saturday, so the substitute day is Monday 4 January.

Sources: GOV.UK – UK bank holidays · New Zealand Government – Public holidays