Old New Year

The Old New Year, also called the Orthodox New Year, is celebrated as the start of the year by the Julian calendar, falling on 14 January in the Gregorian calendar. Marked in Russia, Serbia, North Macedonia, parts of Wales, and among some Middle Eastern Christians, it blends family gatherings, traditional foods, music, and local customs.

• Falls on 14 January in the Gregorian calendar (1901–2100)
• Celebrated with bonfires and music in North Macedonia
• Fireworks and concerts in Belgrade, Serbia
• Children sing for treats in Cwm Gwaun, Wales
• Observed by users of the Julian calendar

What it is

Old New Year is an informal holiday marking the start of the year according to the Julian calendar, which lags behind the Gregorian calendar by 13 days. While not an official public holiday in most places, it is widely observed in Russia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and by communities in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Wales. For many, it is a nostalgic occasion that extends the festive season, offering a quieter, more traditional celebration after the main New Year’s festivities. The day is often seen as a bridge between old customs and modern life, cherished for its sense of continuity and community.

Where it comes from

The Old New Year tradition dates back to a time when the Julian calendar was the civil calendar in Russia and much of Eastern Europe. When these countries adopted the Gregorian calendar—Russia, for example, in 1918—the Julian calendar continued to be used by the Eastern Orthodox Church and some communities. This led to the unique custom of celebrating the New Year twice: once on 1 January (Gregorian) and again on 14 January (Julian). In the Middle East, the holiday is known as Ra's as-Sanah or Ras el-Seni among Alawites and Middle Eastern Christians. In Wales, the tradition of Hen Galan persisted in some communities even after the calendar change.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations vary by country and region. In North Macedonia, people gather late on 13 January for bonfires, singing, and sharing food, with a special pita bread containing a coin for luck. In Russia, families often mark the day with a large meal, singing, and toasts, bringing a nostalgic close to the holiday season. In Serbia, the Serbian New Year is observed with concerts, fireworks—especially at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade—and festive gatherings in restaurants and homes. In Wales, particularly in Cwm Gwaun, children go from house to house singing for treats, and the Mari Llwyd (a decorated horse’s skull) is part of the tradition. The holiday is generally less exuberant than the main New Year, focusing on family, tradition, and local customs.

Joining in

Visitors can experience Old New Year festivities in cities like Belgrade, where public concerts and fireworks are held, or in North Macedonian towns with their communal bonfires and music. In Wales, Cwm Gwaun’s Hen Galan is especially welcoming, with children singing door to door and local pubs hosting gatherings. Expect a warm, communal atmosphere, traditional foods, and a sense of stepping back into older customs. While celebrations are often family-centered, public events and local hospitality make it possible for newcomers to join in and observe the unique ways different communities mark the day.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Old New Year, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Old New Year on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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