B1 New Year Traditions World

ew Yea r Tra di ti o n
N ound the Wor s

r Ar l ld
People all over the world celebrate New Year's Eve in special ways. They have different
customs and traditions to welcome the new year. Let's learn about some of these
interesting traditions from different countries.
In Scotland, New Year's Eve is

celebrated with a tradition called
‘Hogmanay.’ People exchange small
gifts, light bonfires, and sing the song
‘Auld Lang Syne.’ The first person to
enter a house after midnight is called
In Spain, it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes at the ‘First Footer,’ and they bring good
midnight on New Year's Eve. Each grape represents luck for the year.
good luck for a month of the coming year. People
meet in town squares and eat their grapes as they
watch the clock strike twelve, making a wish
with each grape.
In China, the most important New

Year celebration is the Chinese New
Year or Spring Festival. It falls on
different dates each year, based on
the lunar calendar. People decorate
their houses with red decorations, have
dragon dances, and set off fireworks. They also give red
envelopes with money to bring good luck.
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New Year Traditions Around the World
In Russia, New Year is a bigger holiday

than Christmas. They have a New
Year's Tree decorated with lights and
ornaments. ‘Ded Moroz’ (Father Frost) and
his granddaughter ‘Snegurochka’ (Snow
Maiden) bring gifts to children. People
celebrate with fireworks and have big
family meals.
In the United States, one of the most famous

traditions is watching the New Year's Eve
Ball Drop in Times Square, New York City.
Millions of people come together to see the
ball drop as the countdown to midnight
begins. There are also parties, fireworks, and
making wishes for the new year.
In Mexico, a special New Year tradition is

burning ‘Año Viejo’ or the ‘Old Year.’ People
make big dolls filled with firecrackers and
burn them at midnight. This shows that
they’re leaving the old year behind and
getting a fresh start.

Activity 1
True or False?
1. People all over the world have the same customs and
True False
traditions to welcome the new year.
2. In Mexico, New Year's Eve is celebrated with a tradition

True False
called ‘Hogmanay.’
3. The first person to enter a house after midnight is

True False
called the ‘First Footer’.
4. In China, the most important New Year celebration is

True False
the Chinese New Year or Summer Festival.
5. In Russia, New Year is a bigger holiday than

False
Christmas.
6. Millions of people come together to see the ball drop as

True False
the countdown to midnight begins in New York City.
7. In Mexico, a special New Year tradition is burning ‘Año

True False
Viejo’ or the ‘New Year.’
Activity 2
Match the New Year traditions with their countries.
Scotland China Russia United States Mexico
1. People give red envelopes with money to bring good luck.
2. At midnight, people burn dolls filled with firecrackers.
3. People exchange small gifts, light bonfires, and sing the song ‘Auld Lang Syne.’

4. Millions of people come together to see the ball drop as the countdown to
midnight begins.
5. People celebrate with fireworks and have big family meals.
Activity 3
Discuss the following questions in pairs or as a group.
1. Which New Year tradition from the reading passage did you find most interesting, and
why?
2. Do you think it's important to keep cultural traditions alive?
3. If you could create a New Year tradition for your own country, what would it be?
Activity 4
Short Answers
1. When is Chinese New Year?
2. What is the New Year’s Tree in Russia decorated with?
3. What does burning big dolls mean in Mexico?

Activity 5
Write a short paragraph about how you and your family normally celebrate New Year.
Include any special traditions, customs, or foods you enjoy.
Disclaimer: This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in many different ways and at age,
so we try to keep these resources as general as possible.
There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic
backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching globally. Therefore, we use the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our resources to make them easy to find but they are
suitable for any student learning to speak English.

Answers
Activity 1
1. True False
2. True False
3. True False
4. True False
5. False
6. True False
7. True False
Activity 2
1. China 3. Scotland 5. Russia
2. Mexico 4. United States
Activity 3
Students’ own answers.
Activity 4
1. It falls on different dates each year, based on the lunar calendar.
2. With lights and ornaments.
3. It means that they’re leaving the old year behind and starting fresh.
Activity 5
Students’ own writing.
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ew Yea r Tra di ti o n

N ound the Wor s

In Scotland, New Year's Eve is

In China, the most important New

Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com

In Russia, New Year is a bigger holiday

In the United States, one of the most famous

In Mexico, a special New Year tradition is

Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com

2. In Mexico, New Year's Eve is celebrated with a tradition

3. The first person to enter a house after midnight is

4. In China, the most important New Year celebration is

5. In Russia, New Year is a bigger holiday than

6. Millions of people come together to see the ball drop as

7. In Mexico, a special New Year tradition is burning ‘Año

Match the New Year traditions with their countries.

Scotland China Russia United States Mexico

1. People give red envelopes with money to bring good luck.

2. At midnight, people burn dolls filled with firecrackers.

Page 1 of 3 visit twinkl.com

5. People celebrate with fireworks and have big family meals.

Discuss the following questions in pairs or as a group.

2. Do you think it's important to keep cultural traditions alive?

1. When is Chinese New Year?

2. What is the New Year’s Tree in Russia decorated with?

3. What does burning big dolls mean in Mexico?

Page 2 of 3 visit twinkl.com

Page 3 of 3 visit twinkl.com

1. China 3. Scotland 5. Russia

2. Mexico 4. United States

Students’ own answers.

1. It falls on different dates each year, based on the lunar calendar.

2. With lights and ornaments.

Students’ own writing.

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