n [ U ]
the first few days of January. In Britain and America many people have parties on New Year’s Eve (= 31 December). At midnight it is traditional for people to sing Auld Lang Syne , to wish each other ‘Happy New Year’, and often to kiss each other. In large cities many people gather in public places on New Year’s Eve, such as Trafalgar Square in London or George Square in Glasgow . In Scotland the celebration of the New Year is called Hogmanay . New Year’s Day (= 1 January) is a bank holiday in Britain.