Anul Nou

In Romania, Anul Nou falls on 1 January, but the celebration begins the night before, known as Revelion. Families and friends gather at home, in restaurants, or in public squares for the countdown to midnight. At 12:00, people toast the new year, kiss, call relatives, and say "La mulți ani!" Fireworks are common in cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Iași, where town halls often stage outdoor concerts on New Year’s Eve. After midnight or at lunch on 1 January, families sit down to festive dishes that often include sarmale, salată de boeuf, piftie, roast pork, and slices of cozonac. The pace on New Year’s morning is slower, with visits focused on close relatives and neighbors.

January 1 is also marked by New Year customs that are especially visible in villages and small towns. In Moldavia and Bucovina, groups of masked performers parade through the streets with drums and whistles in rituals such as the Bear Dance, in which dancers in heavy bear costumes lunge, sway, and collapse before being "revived," symbolically clearing away the old year. On New Year’s morning, children often go from house to house with the sorcova, a decorated wand or twig, gently tapping their hosts while reciting a wish for health and strength in the coming year. Many households receive these visitors at the door, offer small money gifts, and answer with another warm "La mulți ani!"

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