12 Fascinating New Year's Eve Tradition Facts for 2025

Why do we kiss at midnight, and why does a giant ball drop in Times Square? It's December 31, 2025, and billions are ready to count down. From bubbly champagne to red underwear, the ways we bid farewell to the old year are rooted in surprising histories and clever marketing.

The History Behind New Year's Eve Tradition Facts

We owe the January 1st start date to the Romans. In 45 BCE, Julius Caesar overhauled the calendar and named the first month after Janus, the god of beginnings. While the ancient Babylonians celebrated in the spring, the Roman influence solidified the winter transition we recognize today.

The iconic Times Square ball drop was actually a Plan B. After New York City banned fireworks in 1907 due to safety concerns, New York Times owner Adolph Ochs commissioned a 700-pound ball of iron and wood to be lowered from the flagpole, mimicking maritime time balls used by sailors.

Grapes, Pickles, and Red Underwear

Global traditions vary from the romantic to the quirky. In Spain, revelers attempt to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds as the clock strikes midnight. Meanwhile, residents of Mount Olive, North Carolina, watch a giant pickle drop. If you're in Italy or Spain, don't be surprised to see plenty of red underwear; it's a widespread custom believed to bring good luck for the coming year.