How Many Days Until New Year's Day?
When is New Year's Day?
New Year's Day is January 1 every year.
New Year's Day opens the Gregorian calendar year. Celebrations start the night before with fireworks at midnight, and January 1 is a public holiday in almost every country that uses the Gregorian calendar. It's also the traditional day for resolutions and fresh starts.
New Year's Day dates by year
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | January 1, 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | January 1, 2028 | Saturday |
| 2029 | January 1, 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | January 1, 2030 | Tuesday |
| 2031 | January 1, 2031 | Wednesday |
| 2032 | January 1, 2032 | Thursday |
Why the year starts on January 1
The Romans moved the start of their civil year to January 1 in 153 BC, and Julius Caesar's calendar reform of 46 BC kept it. Much of medieval Europe started the year in March instead, and England only switched back to January 1 in 1752.
Many cultures still celebrate a second new year, including Chinese New Year, Nowruz in March, and the Islamic new year, which moves through the seasons.
Planning time off around New Year's Day
New Year's Day 2026 falls on a Thursday. Taking the Friday after off as well turns it into a four-day break for one day of leave.
New Year's Day 2027 falls on a Friday, giving a three-day weekend wherever it's a day off. Roads, flights and hotels tend to be busier around those dates, so book early.
Counting down to something else?
Use the days until any date calculator, or set a live countdown timer for a birthday, exam, wedding, or trip.