New Year's Eve

In Britain and America many people have parties on New Year's Eve (31st December). Traditionally people in Britain hold hands and sing 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight at parties and wish each other 'Happy New Year'. Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish song about friendship and remembering good times in the past. The title means 'old long since'. In large cities many people gather in public places such as Trafalgar Square in London, Princes Street in Edinburgh, and George Square in Glasgow. In Scotland the celebration of the New year is called Hogmanay. New Year's Day (1st January) is a bank holiday in Britain.