The History of the New Year’s Kiss Tradition
As the classic song goes: “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” Maybe you’re staying in and watching the ball drop on TV, decked out in your 2026 glasses and armed with pots, pans, and kazoos. Maybe you’re party-hopping, dancing the night away, or hosting friends at your place. Either way, when the clock strikes 12, you’re probably all leaning in for a kiss—or at least looking for someone to smooch.
The New Year’s kiss is one of the most famous holiday traditions around. It can be a sweet way to ring in the new year with a partner, the slightly awkward result of too many glasses of Champagne, or the thrilling start of a new romance.
But where did this tradition come from? The saucy tradition of starting the New Year with a smooch can be traced back to the winter solstice festival Saturnalia. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia was a mid-December pagan festival that honored Saturn, the agricultural god. This celebration included decorating homes with greenery, like wreaths, grand feasts, gift-giving, and socializing with friends and family. Sound familiar?
However, Saturnalia wasn’t all innocent. It also included the relaxing of societal norms, a public sacrifice, and non-stop partying. “For many, it involved a few too many alcoholic beverages,” explains etiquette expert Jo Hayes. “The common consequences of said indulgence? A fair amount of PDA—including kissing.”
Over time, Saturnalia merged with Christian celebrations of Christmas, which traditionally stretched past the New Year. In medieval Europe, the kissing tradition evolved out of masquerade balls where midnight unmaskings were punctuated by a kiss to cleanse and secure a year of good fortune. “The kiss had become a means of protecting from loneliness or tragedy, and guaranteeing a new beginning in love and intimacy,” explains historian Ralph E. Long.
Another festival, Hogmanay, the Scottish equivalent of a New Year’s celebration, is still celebrated today. It includes socializing, dancing, and singing “Auld Lang Syne” to wish one another a “Guid New Year” with warmth and kisses to lovers, friends, and strangers alike to embrace new beginnings.
