The day after New Year’s Day is a holiday in many parts of the world, notably in New Zealand and Canada. There are many other countries that observe a local, regional or national holiday on the day after New Year’s Day. New Zealand and Canada essentially have bank holidays on 2nd January every year and if 1st of January falls on a Saturday or Sunday then the Monday becomes the holiday of New Year’s Day.
Observing a holiday on a Monday instead of Saturday or Sunday is a widespread practice around the world. The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand along with many other countries including several in Europe convert holidays falling on weekends into a long weekend by declaring Monday as the specific day to observe holiday.
The day after New Year’s Day doesn’t have any religious or social significance as such. It does help people to end the Christmas and New Year celebrations with a day of rest. Many people simply use the day to meet and greet family and friends, see people off at airports and stations, get ready to return to work and resume the normal lifestyle after all the fun and frolic.
There are many special events on the day after New Year’s Day, especially countries where it is a declared bank holiday and many offices are off as well. From ice fishing to cross-country skiing, racing to normal parties, there is no dearth of engagements one can contemplate on the 2nd of January.
For most people enjoying this holiday, the day is simply to relax, to cure the hangover, to sort things at home, possibly de-clutter the rooms, have some good sleep and kick start the year with renewed vigor.