New Year is one of the most popular festivals in the world, even though it is celebrated 1 different times in different ways. In many western countries, people get together with family and friends on December 31 to eat, drink, and dance as they wait for January 1. Some of the biggest parties 2 held on New Year's Eve. In many cities, crowds gather in the centre of town to welcome the new year at midnight 3 fireworks.
For many Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the New Year is based on a lunar calendar. The date changes from year to year, but usually falls 4 January 21 and February 21. It is traditionally seen as a time for family reunions, with people travelling across the country and from overseas. Many people wear red clothes, as it is thought to be a lucky colour. They also give 'lucky money' in red envelopes to friends and family, and 5 off firecrackers to scare away bad luck. What's common among these celebrations is the meaning of the new year; it is a time to 6 goodbye to the past and to think about new beginnings.