Time Zones
True or False:
All countries celebrate New Year's on January 1st.
False
Fun fact: There are more than 25 different New Year's days!
How many seconds does it take for the Times Square ball to drop?
a. 10 seconds
b. 30 seconds
c. 60 seconds
d. 90 seconds
c. 60 seconds
What fruit do people in Spain eat at midnight for good luck?
a. Almonds
b. Blueberries
c. Cookies
d. Grapes
d. Grapes
Fun fact: Eating 12 grapes for the twelve chimes of the clock under the table is to bring good luck and love.
In Thailand, Songkran is the New Year's celebration which involves throwing ____?
a. Water
b. Flowers
c. Fake money
d. Rice
a. Water
Fun fact: This is the world's largest water fight where water symbolizes washing away bad luck.
Which month is the Islamic New Year?
a. March
b. June
c. September
d. December
c. June
Fun fact: It is expected to be on Tuesday June 16 - Wednesday June 17 this year depending on the moon.
Which major city is the first to celebrate the New Year every year?
a. Tokyo
b. Sydney
c. Auckland
d. Honolulu
c. Auckland
What song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's?
a. Sweet Caroline
b. What a Wonderful World
c. Imagine
d. Auld Lang Syne
d. Auld Lang Syne
Which country puts coins inside cakes for good luck?
a. France
b. Brazil
c. Romania
d. Greece
d. Greece
Fun fact: The cake is called Vasilopita and whoever gets the slice with the coin receives good luck.
Which country celebrates by wearing different coloured underwear?
a. Mexico
b. Brazil
c. Canada
d. Finland
b. Brazil
Fun fact: Colours have different meanings (red = love, yellow = wealth, green = health, blue = calm, white = peace)
When is Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebrated?
a. April
b. August
c. June
d. March
d. March
Fun fact: Nowruz means "New Day" when the Spring equinox begins. It will be on Friday March 20 this year.
Which place is the last to celebrate the New Year?
a. New Zealand
b. Hawaii
c. Alaska
d. Baker Island
d. Baker Island
What year did the Times Square ball first drop?
a. 1899
b. 1907
c. 1913
d. 1919
Which country smashes plates on New Year's Eve for good luck?
a. Italy
b. Denmark
c. Portugal
d. France
b. Denmark
Fun fact: Smashing plates at friends' doors brings good luck. The bigger the pile, the more luck!
Which country rolls suitcases around the block on New Years Eve?
a. Guatemala
b. Argentina
c. Colombia
d. Venezuela
c. Colombia
Fun fact: The suitcases are usually empty and symbolizes travel and adventure for the upcoming year.
What time of day does Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) always begin?
a. Sunrise
b. Noon
c. Sunset
d. Midnight
c. Sunset
Fun fact: This marks the creation of Adam & Eve, and begins Friday September 11 - Sunday September 13 this year.
How many time zones are there on Earth?
a. 12
b. 18
c. 24
d. 36
c. 24
How heavy is the Times Square ball?
c. 11,000 - 12,000 pounds
Fun fact: It weighs 11,875 pounds!
In Japan, how many times do they ring the bell for New Years?
a. 13
b. 75
c. 108
d. 26
c. 108
Fun fact: The ringing represents cleansing of 108 worldly desires.
In Ecuador, people burn life-sized dolls called "Año Viejos" on New Year's Eve. What is the main purpose of this tradition?
a. To honor ancestors
b. To scare away evil spirits
c. To burn away misfortunes from last year
d. To celebrate the harvest
c. To burn away misfortunes from last year
Fun fact: The dolls are typically stuffed with old clothes, paper, and fireworks. Jumping over the fires is considered good luck.
What month will Diwali (Hindu New Year) occur in 2026?
a. September
b. October
c. November
d. December
c. November
Fun fact: It is expected to be Sunday November 8 this year, although in 2025 it was on Monday October 20.
Which imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean separates the first place from the last place on Earth to celebrate the New Year?
a. The Prime Meridian
b. The Equator
c. The Tropic of Capricorn
d. The International Date Line
d. The International Date Line
Fun fact: It does not go straight down since it suddenly shoots out to the east near the Equator then shoots back to the west.
The Times Square ball drop takes place atop which building in New York City?
a. Empire State Building
b. One Times Square
c. Rockefeller Center
d. Chrysler Building
b. One Times Square
In which country do people clean their homes before New Year's to sweep away bad luck?
a. China
b. Ireland
c. Germany
d. Australia
a. China
Fun fact: By getting rid of the bad luck, this makes room for good fortune to enter homes.
In Scotland, the first person to enter a home with gifts after midnight on New Year's Eve is called the "first-footer". What traditional gift symbolizes warmth?
a. A box of matches
b. A blanket
c. A lump of coal
d. A candle
c. A lump of coal
Fun fact: A tall, dark-haired male bringing gifts is also considered lucky.
For Chinese New Year 2026, which zodiac animal will be represented?
a. Rabbit
b. Horse
c. Tiger
d. Pig
b. Horse
Fun fact: Each animal comes once every 12 years.
The order is:
Rat -> Ox -> Tiger -> Rabbit -> Dragon -> Snake -> Horse -> Goat -> Monkey -> Rooster -> Dog -> Pig