New Year's Day is the first day of a new year, celebrated by all cultures that measure time by annual calendars.

The first day of the year on the Gregorian calendar, used by most nations, is the first day of January.

New Year's Eve

In the hours leading up to midnight and the dawning of the new year, much partying and celebration will occur, including the tradition of dropping objects from tall buildings to mark the moment. As the Times Square Ball is falling on New Year's Eve a sardine will be let loose in Eastport, Maine and a peach will plummet in Atlanta, Georgia. An hour later, watch out for cheese and carp coming down in Wisconsin. And then, even later, a plunging potato in Boise, Idaho, and grapes in Temecula, California.