In Spain, people eat twelve grapes, one at each stroke of the clock. This custom is thought to usher a person into twelve lucky and prosperous months.
In Denmark, a lot of broken dishes and plates will be seen at the doorsteps of houses as old unused dishes are saved to throw and break at the stroke of midnight for good luck.
Armenians used to bake 'tarehats', a new year bread in which a coin, walnut or button is put inside and whosoever finds it in their piece is said to have best fortune in the coming year.
The bells ring 108 times at each temple as part of a Buddhist ritual called joya no kane, which represents the purification of 108 worldly passions.
On New Year's Eve, Brazilians traditionally wear white as it symbolizes peace and harmony.
Italians throw old things out the window at midnight (usually crockery). This ritual represents letting go of what is no longer useful and purging the year's evil (both physical and moral) to make way
Millions of Americans gather around the streets of Time Square to watch the ball drop despite the freezing tempearture.