American New Year is significantly different from Russian. In winter, the main holiday in the United States is Catholic Christmas. This is a truly family holiday. As for the New Year, it can be called public. From December 31 to January 1, people with friends go to bars and restaurants, clubs and casinos, participate in colorful festivities. The most beautiful festivities take place in New York.
Features
Americans long before the winter holidays begin preparations for the festivities. Elegant Christmas trees appear on the squares, garlands of multi-colored lanterns appear on the houses, and wreaths of needles appear on the doors. If you decide to celebrate the New Year in New York, know that you will fall into a real fairy tale. The city in December-January is very different from the kind that it has in the remaining months of the year. In a word, Santa Claus settles in the metropolis with all the ensuing consequences.
Fun music constantly sounds on the streets, the stunning illumination of skyscrapers turns them into magic castles. Not a single window is left without luminous and shiny decorations. From everywhere, passers-by are watched by fairy-tale heroes: angels, deers, gnomes and elves, and even Santa himself. Trees and bushes also dress up for the holidays. Garlands and colored lights are hung on them. The city shines from the highest points of skyscrapers to low garden plantings.
Especially carefully for the festive dates, Americans decorate their homes.
In each house they put a spruce. True, unlike our beauties, conifers - a symbol of Christmas, not the New Year. Christmas trees are installed almost a month before the holiday - at the end of November. And so that the needles do not crumble in living plants, the trunk is placed in a container with a nutrient mixture and periodically watered with water.
It is noteworthy that our usual tinsel is not used in the USA to decorate Christmas trees. Her place on American conifers is occupied by bows and ribbons. Sparkling garlands appear on the roofs and facades of buildings. Beautiful figures are installed in the courtyards in front of the buildings. Everyone wants to make their home the most vibrant, interesting and attractive. In this endeavor, the Americans spare no money. Electricity costs increase significantly, which pleases the energy supply companies.
How to celebrate?
Celebrate New Year on a slightly smaller scale than Christmas. But a lot of Americans and tourists come to New York for this celebration. The most beautiful Christmas tree stands on Rockefeller Center Square. Here, since the end of November, an ice rink has been opened, and skate rental is available. In front of the Rockefeller Center, on the facade of the most famous Saks Fifth Avenue store, you can enjoy free light shows.
On the first day of January, Times Square opens a colorful parade. Those who could not get on the procession watch it on TV. They say that over a million people become viewers every year. New Year is celebrated in miniature every hour here, marking its arrival in different time zones.
The most colorful action takes place a minute before midnight. According to a tradition that is already more than 100 years old, on the last day of the year - the 31st from the top of the building located in the central part of Times Square, a huge New Year's ball shines in different colors.
Interesting about the ball
For the first time, the New Year's ball descended from the tower in the distant 1907. The spectacle was organized by Jacob Starr. The weight of his ball made of iron and wood was 318 kg, and the diameter was 1.5 meters. Nowadays, the ball has changed significantly. Now it weighs as much as 6 tons! The diameter is 3.7 m. The unique design has 2688 faces, and 32256 LEDs provide sparkling. The ball pleases the eye of local residents and visitors all year long. And only once a year does he descend to earth.
In order to personally see the descent that marks the onset of the new year, people are ready to stand for hours in the square in anticipation of just one last minute of the year.
The fact is that around 19-00 the area is filled to the maximum, so further access is closed. The best places to review people occupy in the morning of the 31st. They dress warmly, hoping that they will have to stand still for a very long time.
Having settled in a convenient place, the audience no longer leaves it. In order not to experience hunger and thirst, you have to stock up on food and drink. Stocks should be in pockets, because with large bags and backpacks the police will not allow you to go to the square. By the way Bringing alcohol with you is prohibited. The veto is imposed even on champagne.
Indescribably lucky for those who follow the lowering from the windows of the nearest hotel rooms. And no one bothers to watch, and there is no crush, and warmth. Such rooms are booked long before the holidays and are not cheap. The climax comes at 23-59. The ball floats down, and thousands of spectators begin the countdown. After the loud “One!” fireworks sound on the square, laughter is heard, joyful congratulations and general fun.
Where is it better to meet?
New Year is not only the night from December 31 to January 1. On holidays, all entertainment facilities work. On vacation days, it is customary to visit theaters with New Year's performances. Famous artists, musicians, singers, popular groups come to the city. Not sure what to choose? Go to the Broadway musical. The minimum cost of a ticket to Chicago is about $ 60.
On holidays, locals with whole families go to Radio City musical hall - perhaps the most famous in the United States. Every Russian in the United States films saw the Empire State Building - the famous skyscraper. For $ 25-35 you can buy a ticket to one of the viewing platforms and enjoy the beauties of nightly New York.
Unable to refuse inspection of the Statue of Liberty. Tourists go to the majestic monument on the ferry.Otherwise, do not get to him. Fans of outdoor recreation walk along the streets of the metropolis, visit the many cafes and restaurants, look at boutiques and retail shops or simply admire intricately decorated shop windows.
Be sure to visit several holiday fairs. The Bryant Park fair is located around the rink in central Manhattan. Professional ice skaters, including winners of world championships, perform on ice. After the ice show, you can have a bite to eat and go shopping. The fair presents souvenirs, handicrafts, various accessories and products of famous brands.
The best place to shop for souvenirs is the Columbus Fair.. There is everything here not to return home empty-handed. These are home goods, and designer works, and colorful souvenirs suitable for gifts. Entertainment in a huge city can not be counted. Anyone will find a suitable option for themselves.
See how the New Year is celebrated in New York.
