In Florida, they have the Orange Bowl, Texas has the Cotton Bowl and Louisiana hosts the Sugar Bowl. Around the world, different cultures have their own traditions for welcoming the new year. The Japanese hang a rope of straw across the front of their houses to keep out evil spirits and bring happiness and good luck. They also have a good laugh as the year begins to get things started on a lucky note. In West Bengal, in northern India, the people like to wear pink, red, purple and white flowers.
Women favor yellow, the color of spring.
Hindus also leave shrines next to their beds so they can see beautiful objects when they wake up to the new year. In Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadians enjoy the traditional polar bear swim. People of all ages don their swim suits and take the plunge, an event that is sure to get you started in the new year with eyes wide open. A fairly new tradition that is starting to spread worldwide is a community celebration of the visual and performing arts on New Year's Eve. Typical experiences include ice sculptures, dancing, storytelling, theater, poetry, films and, at the stroke of midnight, an elaborate fireworks display.