Tuesday is New Year’s Eve, or Silvester, around the world and Wednesday is New Year’s Day, the first day of the new year on both the Gregorian as well as the Julian calendars.
In ancient Rome, the first of the year was dedicated to Janus, the god of beginnings and time, for whom the month of January is named.
New Year’s Day continues to be the most celebrated public holiday in the world. It is frequently observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. Many people prepare New Year’s resolutions and, in Austria and Germany, it is customary to watch “Dinner for One” before going out the night before. Another tradition there is Bleigießen or molybdomancy, when friends and family gather to watch what forms molten metal will take when it is dropped into water, consulting a checklist of shapes to predict what the new year holds for each participant.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s open for business and operating in the United States – and what isn’t – on Tuesday and Wednesday.
SHOPS. Some stores will be closed on New Year’s Day, while others will run sales. Check store hours before heading out. Some stores will close early on New Year’s Eve as well.
RESTAURANTS. Many restaurants will be open New Year’s Eve. Most will be closed on New Year’s Day. However, many that are part of large restaurant chains, such as Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, and Starbucks, will be open, as will many Denny’s and International House of Pancakes locations.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES All Federal government offices are closed on Wednesday, as will be almost all city and state offices.
POST OFFICE There will be regular mail delivery on Tuesday and no mail delivery on Wednesday except for Priority Mail Express, formerly known as Express Mail. Regular service resumes on Thursday.
PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICES Neither FedEx nor UPS will offer delivery or pick-up services on New Year’s Day.
BANKS Financial institutions will be closed on Wednesday.
SCHOOLS Closed due to winter recess.
FINANCIAL MARKETS The nation’s stock and bond markets will be open as usual on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday.
TRANSPORTATION Most local transportation systems, such as buses, subways, and commuter rail systems, will operate on Sunday or holiday schedules on Wednesday with normal service resuming Thursday. Some will offer extra rush-hour trains on New Year’s Eve in the late afternoon and early evening. Airports will be open as will train stations.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
