New Year’s Eve ranks as the sixth most favorite holiday among Americans. An estimated 92% of U.S. adults celebrate the holiday, and roughly 70% of Americans plan to stay up past midnight as they welcome the new year. Cities around the world throw public celebrations attended by hundreds of thousands of New Year’s revelers, with the ball drop in Times Square attracting more than 1 million partygoers each year.
New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year. Half of all adults celebrating the holiday spend it with people other than family, and 1 in 5 adults spend the night at a restaurant, bar, club, or other establishment. An estimated 54% of drinking Americans 21 and older plan on consuming liquor on New Year’s Eve — the most of any holiday — and viewership of the “hangover” Wikipedia page increases more than four-fold on Jan. 1 from the year-round daily average.
New Year’s Eve is also a time of reflection, both on the events of the past 12 months and goals for the coming year. Some 41% of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, which typically revolve around healthy eating, weight loss, self improvement, financial health, and quitting smoking. While many Americans attempt to make good on their resolutions early in the year — Google searches for “gym memberships” peak in first week of January every year — just 1 in 10 Americans believe they have been successful in achieving their New Year’s goals.
In anticipation of the big day, 24/7 Wall St. took a look at New Year’s Eve by the numbers. We compiled 30 interesting statistics related to eating, drinking, entertainment, travel, spending, resolutions, and more surrounding New Year’s Eve. Data was compiled from original research, as well as sources such as the Harris Poll, Times Square Alliance, National Weather Service, AAA, and Nielsen.
Click here to see the full list.
1. 360 million glasses
Every year, New Year’s revelers consume some 360 million glasses of champagne and sparkling wine.
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2. 25% of sales
Champagne bought during the week ending Dec. 31 accounts for 25% of annual Champagne sales.
3. 1 billion viewers
An estimated 1 billion television viewers worldwide will watch the Times Square ball drop.
4. 3,000 pounds
Partygoers in Times Square will be showered with 3,000 pounds of confetti at the stroke of midnight.
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5. 11,785 pounds
The New Year’s Eve Times Square ball weighs 11,785 pounds.
6. 12 feet
The Times Square ball is 12 feet wide in diameter.
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7. 1907
1907 was the year of the first Times Square ball drop.
8. 48 tons
Partygoers left behind 48 tons of garbage in Times Square last year.
9. 178 sanitation workers
Some 178 sanitation workers were required to clean Times Square after last year’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
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10. 1° F
1917 was the coldest New York City New Year’s Eve on record. Attendees of the Times Square celebration partied in 1° F weather.
11. 12° F
The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 24° F and a low of 12° F in New York City this New Year’s Eve.
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12. $249
Attendees of the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square will have to spend $249 for a party pass.
13. $750
Partygoers can also choose to bring in the new year with President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve celebration – $600 a ticket for members and $750 for guests.
14. $75
The average attendee of a New Year’s Eve event spends $75 on a ticket.
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15. 11%
An estimated 11% of Americans spend over $200 on New Year’s Eve.
16. 18 million flowers
The floats used in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California feature approximately 18 million flowers.
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17. 21.4% of resolutions
Some 21.4% of New Year’s resolutions for 2017 revolved around healthy eating or weight loss.
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18. 41%
Some 41% of Americans usually make a New Year’s resolution.
19. 9.2%
Just 9.2% of Americans feel they successfully achieved their New Year’s resolution.
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20. 107.3 million Americans
A record 107.3 million Americans plan on traveling during the holiday period from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.
21. -20%
Holiday airfares are 20% cheaper this year than last year.
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22. +85%
Google searches for “gym memberships” increased 85% from the first week of December 2016 to the first week of January 2017.
23. +324%
The “hangover” Wikipedia page had 324% more views on Jan. 1, 2017 than the daily average in 2016.
24. 35.28 million viewers
ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” television program viewership peaked at 35.28 million at 12:01 a.m. last New Year’s, the most of any program covering the celebration.
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25. 35 years
Dick Clark hosted or was co-host of “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” some 35 times, the most of any host of a New Year’s Eve television program.
26. +272%
The number of U.S. restaurants charging cover prices increased 272% on New Year’s Eve compared to an average day in December.
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27. 92%
Some 92% of American adults celebrate New Year’s Eve.
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28. 21%
An estimated 21% of Americans spend New Year’s Eve at someone else’s home.
29. 17% of millenials
Some 17% of Americans aged 18 to 35 spend New Year’s at a restaurant or a bar, the largest share of any age group.
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30. 2%
New Year’s is the favorite holiday of 2% of all U.S. adults.
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