New Year throughout the year

When do you celebrate the start of a new year? It may depend on your religion or what country you are in.

January 1 is celebrated around the globe as the beginning of the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. Australia and New Zealand -- who are among the closest countries to the International Date line -- kick off the celebrations each year.

February 18 celebrations mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Mouse), while Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is considered to be a holy time and is celebrated in September. Many other countries celebrate the New Year in February, March or April, depending on which calendar they use to calculate dates.

Sometimes New Year can even happen twice a year. For example, in 2008 many Muslims will observe Al-Hijra twice: on or about January 10 and on or about December 29 (depending on local tradition). The reason? The Islamic Calendar is based on the moon, and is therefore only 354 days.

Source: BBC Religion & Ethics Multi-faith Calendar