Meet the people who celebrate the New Year on other dates.

The turn from December 31st to January 1st is celebrated in most countries of the world that follow the Gregorian calendar. Lots of celebration, fireworks, traditions and superstitions invade this period that marks the beginning of a new year.

However, not all countries celebrate the arrival of a brand new year on the same day we are used to. Many people celebrate the event in the middle of January or February, April or even September. Want to know what they are? Check it out below.

Chinese new year

The date of the Chinese New Year is not only celebrated by China, but also by several Eastern countries that follow the calendar called "lunisolar". This takes into account both the phases of the moon and the position of the sun, and the date of the new year is based on the first day of the lunar calendar, which is corrected by the solar every three years.

Generally, the holiday falls between January 20th and February 20th. The date is celebrated with typical dishes, fireworks, dragon dances in the streets, exchanging red envelopes with cash among family members, as well as lots of red decorations and famous lanterns to attract good luck.

Cambodia

The Cambodian New Year is known as Chaul Chnam Thmey and is celebrated on April 13 or 14, coinciding with the sun's movement from Pisces to Aries, according to Buddhist traditions.

In this period, which is also called the water festival, there are three days of festivities: the first is called "Moha Songkran", the second "Virak Wanabat" and the last "Virak Loeurng Sak." During these days, Cambodians attend temples, parade in the street or play traditional games, being quieter celebrations without much noise or fireworks.

Thailand

Thailand's New Year is celebrated in the same period as Cambodia, following the same calendar, as in Laos and Myanmar. Called Songkran, the period is marked by celebrations in which Thais take to the streets with water guns to wet each other.

This custom originated as a form of blessing. For this, the water to be used is poured over Buddha statues. The action happens for a purification and then the water is collected as "blessed" to give people good luck. Everything becomes a big joke that even the tourists participate.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, New Year's Eve is best known by the name of Tết or “Vietnamese Lunar New Year”, following the same period as the Chinese New Year. The holiday always falls between January 20th and February 20th, marking the arrival of spring based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar.

Sri Lanka

As in Cambodia and Thailand, Sri Lanka's New Year also takes place on April 13 or 14, following Buddhist traditions and rituals. However, in this country, the celebrations also take place with fireworks, gift exchanges, as well as light and purification ceremonies.

Israel

The Jewish New Year in Israel - and in all Jewish communities - is celebrated in September and varies in days. Known as the Rosh Hashanah, the period is marked by festivities, prayers and fasting, followed by the consumption of food to attract luck.

The period of commemoration begins from the sunset of the previous day until the dusk of the following day. In 2013, the date was commemorated on September 5, and Jews regard their current year as 5774, based on the date of creation of the world according to rabbinic literature.

India

In Hinduism, the various regional cultures celebrate the New Year at different times of the year. In Assam, Kerala, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, families celebrate the new year when the sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar. This usually happens on April 14th or 15th, depending on the leap year.

Elsewhere in northern and central India, the Vikram Samvat calendar is followed. According to him, the New Year is the first day of the month Chaitra, falling between 21 and 23 March, coinciding with the spring (Northern Hemisphere) equinox of the Gregorian calendar. Some villages celebrate on October 1st.

To celebrate, Indians decorate with lights, incense and fireworks, which are used to ward off evil forces and start the year with luck.

Will

Following the Persian calendar, the Iranian New Year is now known as Nowruz, also coinciding with the first day of spring - March 21-23. The holiday is also celebrated and observed by many parts of Central Asia, South Asia, northwest China, Crimea and some groups in the Balkans.

Islamic New Year

The Islamic New Year is based on a lunar calendar consisting of twelve 29- or 30-day months over a 354- or 355-day year, and the timing of this calendar begins with the Hijrah - Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina on July 16, 622.

According to the calendar, the turn of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, which falls around December 7th. Each year, the months of this Islamic calendar begin 11 days earlier than the Gregorian calendar. The current year for Islamists is 1435.