Celebrating Orthodox New Year with Dazzling Fireworks

The transition from one year to another holds immense significance in cultures worldwide. While many mark the New Year on January 1st, for those following the Orthodox Christian calendar, there's a second opportunity to celebrate: Orthodox New Year.

This cherished occasion, observed on January the 14th, is a time-honoured tradition embraced by Orthodox communities globally. And just like the global celebrations on the night of the 31st of December, Orthodox Christians also use fireworks in their new year's celebrations, illuminating the night sky and symbolising hope, joy, and new beginnings.

Embracing the Orthodox New Year Tradition

Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year or Julian New Year, is a cultural and religious festivity observed by Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the transition from the old Julian calendar to the new Gregorian calendar. Steeped in history, this celebration holds deep-rooted significance, blending religious observance with cultural customs.

Customs and Celebrations

On Orthodox New Year's Eve, families and friends gather to share hearty meals, exchange well-wishes, and enjoy the occasion.

Traditional dishes that carry deep symbolic meanings such as Olivier salad, kutia (sweet wheat pudding), vasilopita (New Year's bread or cake), and pickled vegetables, are loaded onto the dinner tables. Each dish holds significance, symbolising prosperity, abundance, and the sweetness of life.

Following the meal, the evening is filled with music, dancing, and celebrations. In some Orthodox traditions, the burning of the Badnjak, a Yule log, also takes place on New Year's Eve. This ritual symbolises the cleansing of the past year's troubles and the ushering in of new beginnings. Families gather outdoors, lighting the Badnjak in a bonfire while sharing blessings and hopes for a prosperous year ahead.

The Role of Fireworks in Orthodox New Year Celebrations

As midnight approaches, the skies come alive with a display of fireworks, marking the arrival of the New Year.

Fireworks, symbolise the collective aspirations for a prosperous and joyful year ahead. As they soar into the night they mirror the optimism and hope held for the future and they also embody the spirit of renewal, casting away the shadows of the past and welcoming a fresh start.

Communities come together to watch the firework displays organised in public spaces or local venues. These displays, often choreographed to music, create moments to bring friends, family and neighbours together, building a sense of belonging and shared optimism for the future.

Adding Fireworks to Your Orthodox New Year's Celebrations

Here at Epic Fireworks we stock the largest range of market-beating fireworks you can buy in the UK and all at unbeatable prices. So whether you're looking for rockets, barrages, loud fireworks, quiet fireworks, mines, fountains or anything else, we've got you covered.

Plus, our expert team have curated ready-made New Year's display packs, taking the guesswork out of how to put on a great fireworks show for your friends and family.

Shop the New Year's Eve firework display packs today

Last, but not least, we wish you all a fantastic new year ahead.