2026 is just 2 hours away!
- elainebac1
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
50 New Year Traditions from Around the World:
To see the complete list:
Just about everywhere:
Sing "Auld Lang Syne".
"Auld Lang Syne" is often credited to Scottish poet Robert Burns, who sent it to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788. But the writer himself admits that he didn't write the lyrics; he was just the first to transcribe an old folk song. If you really want to impress the other members of your party, learn the other verses (there are 10 in total).
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Here are five things not to do on New Year's Day (Let's not worry too much about these)
Don't sweep or clean your house. Cleaning or sweeping on New Year's Day is considered bad luck, as it's thought to sweep away good fortune. ...
Don't shower. ...
Don't keep the doors and windows closed. ...
Don't sleep in. ...
Don't eat lobster, crab or chicken.
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Lists of “bests” for 2025
Books:
The best Canadian books of 2025.
The 10 bestselling Canadian books of 2025. The list is put together with data from independent booksellers.
The best science and nature books of 2025. From the threat of superintelligent AI to the secrets of a longer life; plus, the evolution of language and the restless genius of Francis Crick.
Not necessarily new but great anyway! 12 Science Books to add to your 2025 reading List.
Books on art:
Eight new releases distill what’s exciting in visual culture right now, spanning architecture, contemporary art, fashion, and more.
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Music:
The top 10 pop songs of 2025. The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Tate McRae and more had the biggest hits of the year.
The Weeknd's Open Hearts is one of CBC Music's top pop sings of the year. (Getty Images; graphic by CBC Music)
The top 100 Canadian songs of 2025. From unexpected pop pivots to reflections on the state of the world, these are the essential songs of the year.
The 10 best Canadian albums of 2025. From Justin Bieber to Lou-Adriane Cassidy to Pup, albums by these artists were among the best of the year.
Year In Review – The Best Classical Music Albums, 2025.
The 10 Best Classical Albums of 2025 according to NPR:
Yanga, the title track from the latest album by Gabriela Ortiz, tells the story of an African prince who rises out of enslavement in colonial Mexico. Cover art by Raul Urias/Platoon
Best Classical Masterpieces of 2025 to listen to for winter - Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann.
Listen and watch the lovely winter scenery:
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Movies:
From Marty Supreme to Montreal, My Beautiful: The top 25 movies of 2025. Running the gamut from emotional to emotionally scarring, here are some of the best movies of the year.
Just a few of the top movies of 2025 are shown, including (clockwise from bottom left) The Plague, The Testament of Ann Lee, Boxcutter, Lurker and Arco. (Searchlight Pictures, IFC Films, Film Movement, Mubi, Elevation Pictures)
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Fun stuff – yes, there were some news items that put smiles on our faces:
The Most Iconic Fads from the Last 100 Years - many of us will remember these!
New words:
From 'Rage Bait' to '6-7', know different terms that bagged word of the year 2025 title.
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