New Year Holiday in Slovenia

Day

In Slovenia, the New Year holiday is celebrated on January 1st, marking the first day of the year on the Gregorian calendar.

History

The celebration of the New Year in Slovenia has been influenced by various traditions over time, including those from the Austro-Hungarian period and later, Yugoslavian customs. As Slovenia is a predominantly Christian country, many historical traditions also have religious roots.

Traditions

• Fireworks: As in many other countries, Slovenians welcome the New Year with fireworks at midnight. Major cities like Ljubljana organize public displays.
• Open-Air Parties: Public celebrations and concerts are common in city squares where people gather to count down to the new year.
• New Year's Jump: In Ljubljana, a unique event called "New Year's Jump" involves individuals jumping into the cold waters of Ljubljanica River for charity.
• Lucky Foods: Traditional foods are consumed for good luck. For example, pork is believed to bring progress and doughnuts or "krofi" are eaten for a sweet life.

What People Do

• Many Slovenians spend time with family and friends at home or attend parties.
• At midnight, they toast with champagne or local wines to celebrate the incoming year.
• On New Year’s Day, it’s common to visit relatives and exchange good wishes.
• Watching ski jumping from Planica is a popular activity as it coincides with international ski jumping competitions around this time.

This overview provides a glimpse into how Slovenians celebrate their New Year holiday, embracing both modern festivities and traditional customs.