Several Cultures Around the World Have Celebrated New Year’s on April 1st
Indian Calendars (Hindu New Year)
In some regions of India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, the Hindu New Year falls in early April, occasionally coinciding with April 1st on the Gregorian calendar. These celebrations are determined by regional lunisolar calendars, meaning the New Year can sometimes be observed in late March or early April, depending on local traditions.
Old European Calendars (April 1st as New Year’s Day)
Before Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582, many European countries celebrated the New Year in late March and early April. In France and other parts of Europe, March 25th was traditionally marked as the start of the New Year, with celebrations extending until April 1st. When the calendar reform shifted New Year’s Day to January 1st, those who continued to celebrate in April were considered “fools,” leading to the origin of April Fool’s Day.
Iranian and Zoroastrian Calendar
Although Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is typically celebrated around March 20th or 21st during the spring equinox, some Zoroastrian communities hold additional celebrations in early April. These festivities continue traditions that date back thousands of years and mark the renewal of life and nature.
Burma (Myanmar) – Ancient Calendar
In the traditional Burmese calendar, New Year was once celebrated in early April. Although official changes have adjusted the date in modern times, some older customs and festivities still take place around this period, preserving cultural heritage and historical traditions.
Illyrian Calendar and New Year’s Celebrations
The ancient Illyrians followed a lunisolar calendar, meaning their festivals were aligned with the movements of the Sun and Moon. Like many early civilizations, they likely associated the beginning of the year with the spring equinox (around March 20th or 21st), when days become longer and nature awakens. Illyrian tribes marked this seasonal shift with rituals related to fertility, agriculture, and the worship of solar deities. However, due to a lack of written records, it remains uncertain whether the Illyrians specifically regarded April 1st as the start of the New Year.
The Influence of the Romans and Later Calendars
Following the Roman conquest of Illyrian territories (between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE), the Illyrians gradually adopted the Roman calendar. By the time of Julius Caesar’s calendar reform in 45 BCE, New Year’s Day had already been moved to January 1st, further aligning Illyrian practices with Roman traditions.
A Legacy of April 1st as New Year’s Day
Although April 1st is no longer officially recognized as the start of the year in most global calendars, its historical role in New Year’s celebrations can still be traced in both European and Asian traditions. From the early Hindu and Illyrian festivals to the medieval European customs that gave birth to April Fool’s Day, the date holds a unique place in the world’s cultural heritage.
Which European country has seen the biggest growth in travel interest in 2025?
