New Year's Eve in United States
New Year's Eve celebration is a gala affair for the people of US. They love to enjoy even the last minute of the going year and welcome the New Year with a blast. Midnight parties, sumptuous dinners, live music and the dance floors make a perfect New Year's Eve bash. Every year, a huge ball is organized at Time Square in the New York City. This New Year celebration is watched over by large number of Americans. A minute before the New Year's Day, a brightly lighted ball is dropped slowly from the top of a pole. As soon as the ball reaches the ground, it gives a signal of New Year and everybody hug and kiss each other wishing Happy New Year.

Elsewhere, many of New Year parties in US have a dress code or a theme. People cover their faces with masks. They unmask themselves only when the clock strikes 12. To have some merriment with the family members at the beginning of the New Year, people prefer to celebrate it at their homes. Many people watch television, eat the auspicious black-eyed peas and rice called Hoppin' Johns. There is also a tradition to open champagne bottles as the clock strikes midnight on the New Year's Eve.

新年是全美各州一致慶祝的主要節日。美國人過新年，最熱鬧的是除夕晚上。是夜，人們聚集在教堂、街頭或廣場，唱詩、祈禱、祝福、懺悔，并一同迎候那除舊更新的一瞬。午夜12點，全國教堂鐘聲齊鳴，樂隊高奏著名的懷舊歌曲《一路平安》。在音樂聲中，激動的人們擁抱在一起，懷著惜別的感傷和對新生活的向往共同迎來新的一年。

北美的印第安人，還有其獨特的風俗。每到除夕之夜，他們就舉行富有特色的“簧火晚會”，一家入圍在篝火旁邊，載歌載舞，談笑風生。待至晨曦微露，他們再把破舊衣物付諸一炬，作為除舊迎新的象征。

除夕活動，常常持續到次日凌晨兩三點鐘。到元旦這一天，通常比較安寧、閑散。許多入很晚才起床，然后同家人、朋友一起看看電視、吃頓新年飯。