2 . In years past, many people would travel over New Year’s Eve and immerse (沉浸) themselves in a different culture. Countries around the world celebrate the new year with unique customs and traditions carried out at the celebration.

Japan: Eat toshikoshi soba

Shiwasu is the end-of-the-year period in Japan. To celebrate New Year’s Eve, people eat “year-crossing” soba, which can symbolize having a long and fortunate life along with a clean break from the year. However, when eaten at midnight, there’s a certain cross of the old and the new year, thus you cannot “break off” all of last year’s troubles properly but instead carry them over to the following year.

Russia: Burn, then drink your wishes

After a year of ruined dreams and canceled plans, set your sights on a fresh start with this Russian tradition. Before midnight, write down your wishes on a piece of paper, then light the paper on fire. Once it’s stopped burning, spread the wish-filled ashes into a glass of champagne and drink up shortly after the clock completes striking midnight.

Spain: Eat 12 grapes

Perhaps the easiest tradition to carry out is eating grapes for good luck. When the clock starts striking at midnight, eat one with each ringing sound. Better if you’re wearing special New Year’s Eve underwear while eating your grapes. A pair of red underwear can bring you a new year of love, while yellow may bring joy and fortune.

Greece: Hang some onions

If you’ve been cooking throughout the pandemic, maybe you have some onions around the house to spare for this tradition. In Greece, onions symbolize rebirth, so people hang them up on their doors on Dec. 31 to encourage a year of growth. Keep the Greek traditions going by baking a special cake on New Year’s Day. Hide a coin in the cake and share it with your loved ones-whoever finds the coin is said to have a year of good luck.

3 . As Christmas Eve approached, I found myself in New York City, far from my family and friends in Taiwan. I was feeling homesick and lonely, but my Jewish friend, Rachel, who, like me, doesn’t get connected with Christmas due to any religious things, invited me to join her for a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. She explained that it was a tradition for many Jewish people to celebrate this holiday by eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve.

We went to Jing Fong, a fancy restaurant in Chinatown. The place was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively and festive. We ordered a variety of dishes. Everything was delicious, and I felt grateful to be sharing this experience with Rachel. As we ate, we talked about our families and our cultures. We laughed and joked, and for a moment, I forgot about my homesickness.

A moment later, a group of carolers (唱圣诞歌的人) came into the restaurant, singing Christmas songs. At first, I was puzzled. Why were they singing in a Chinese restaurant? But then I realized that this was part of the magic of New York City. People from all different cultures and backgrounds could come together and celebrate the holidays in their own way. Rachel and I joined in the singing, and soon the whole restaurant was filled with music. It was a beautiful moment, and I felt blessed to be part of it.

What a night! I learned that even when you’re far from home, you can still find joy and connection with others. Rachel and I may come from different cultures, but we shared amazing food, joyful music, and most importantly heartfelt company. And that’s exactly what all the holidays are all about.

4 . Harvest Days

Harvest Days has returned bigger and better than ever. This family-fun event falls on 7th & 8th, October from 10:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. on Saturday and 11:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. on Sunday. This year’s event includes a two-day silent auction (拍卖), staged in the Firehouse. Bid (投标) on a variety of heritage pieces inspired by objects preserved in the museum’s collection. Also, up for bid are a variety of museum passes, experiences, art, wine, beer, and more. All the money will benefit the museum through the work of the Landis Valley Associates.

Used to celebrate the harvest of a year’s hard work, Harvest Days is Landis Valley’s oldest and largest family event. Come for demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and children’s activities. Taste varieties of apples and watch them become apple butter and drink. Witness wool go from sheep to clothes. Pick a pumpkin of your very own and then decorate it. All of these and more are packed into two fun-filled days.

This year’s event offers food demonstrations, such as apple butter, processing pork, bake oven and heart h cooking; craft demonstrations, such as coopering, blacksmith, leather, brooms, millinery, weaving, woodwork; craft sales, such as jams & jellies, potteries, soap, candles.

Food will be available for purchase on site. Free parking.

LOCATION: Landis Valley Village & Far m Museum

ADDRESS: 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601

CONTACT: 717-569-0401

7 . You will have a fantastic experience in Quebec. It is full of great festivals for you to enjoy.

Carnaval de Québec

Carnaval de Quebec is one of the largest winter festivals in the world and welcomes celebrators every February. Its week-long programme is packed with a wide range of activities and attractions to delight all ages, which includes countless shows and a host of winter activities like skating and the classic ice boat race.

Festival d’été de Quebec

This huge July festival packs in the crowds — and it’s easy to see why. The festival’s 10-day length means it features an extensive programme that ensures there’s something to suit most musical tastes — with acts ranging from rock and pop to hip-hop and rap. As it matches the Quebéc setting, the festival also features a playlist of top French-speaking acts too.

ComediHa! Fest-Quebec

You’ll have great fun if your visit coincides with (恰逢) this 12-day festival, which brings the laughs every August. Its packed programme of indoor and outdoor shows features everything from top local talent to international acts. The festival, which takes place in Montreal as well as Quebéc City, features no fewer than 500 artists, split between some 350 shows at 15 different venues. So you’ll have every opportunity to slot a show or two during your travels.

Festival d’Opera De Québec

Those who prefer cultural charms won’t miss out during their Quebec visit. The Festival d’Opera de Quebec is held every July to August — two weeks of concerts and musical performances featuring some big-name artists and shows. Since its launch in 2011, it has marked some major milestones.

For further information please click here.

9 . Let’s take a look at some of the big celebrations that happen during spring

Songkran

Songkran is a celebration marking the Thai New Year. The festival usually lasts three days, though festivities can start early or end later in some cities. Water plays a major role in the festival. Symbolically, it washes away the previous year so people can get ready for the next one Therefore, many Songkran traditions are associated with water, such as cleaning homes and pouring water on Buddha statues and the hands of elders. Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties and a friendly water fight. In 2023, it began on April 13.

Holi

Known as the festival of colors, Holi is celebrated on the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna. This ancient tradition marks the end of winter and honors the victory of good over bad. Celebrators light big fires, throw colorful powder called gulal at each other, eat sweets, and dance to traditional folk music. The annual Hindu celebration was held on March 8, 2023.

Easter

It is a Christian tradition marking the day when Jesus Christ is said to have come back to life. On Easter Sunday, people attend church services where they sing and pray. It’s a day for some fun family activities too, like decorating hard-boiled eggs and searching for the hidden treats around the house or yard. Some kids also receive baskets filled with goodies, and many families have big feasts. In 2023, Easter was celebrated on Sunday, April 9.

Passover

Passover is a time to reflect on Jews’ suffering in ancient Egypt. Jews were believed to have been led to freedom by a religious leader named Moses. Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days in reflection of the suffering. In 2023, Passover began in the evening of April 5 and ended in the evening of April 13.

10 . Weddings are one of life’s biggest celebrations, and they are observed in just about every country and culture on the planet. Here are some wedding traditions from around the world.

Scotland

Scottish weddings usually feature the handfasting ceremony. During the ceremony, the bride (新娘) and bridegroom each hold a piece of cloth. These are carefully wound around the couple’s joined hands. When they pull their hands apart, the pieces become tied into a knot (结) — a symbol of the new union.

Germany

Guests at a German wedding get to see an interesting sight: the newly married couple — still dressed in their suit and wedding dress — cutting a length of a tree in half with a two-person saw (锯). In this way, they show their ability to work as a team to face any challenge they will meet in life.

Norway

A Norwegian wedding cake is made up of progressively smaller layers of iced cake rings, which give the cake the shape of Christmas tree. The inside is empty and has gifts or even a bottle of wine. The bride and g room lift the top ring of the cake, and the number of layers that stick to it is said to represent the number of children they will have!

England

Brides in England typically wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” for their big day. The modern practice comes from a traditional English song, and the things themselves represent protection, cheerfulness, good luck, and purity, respectively.

Though the customs might vary, the feeling remains the same. Across the world, weddings are times to celebrate love, happiness, and family.