The new year is a time of reflection and renewal. As we look forward to the year ahead, riddles can be a fun way to exercise our minds and get us thinking about the possibilities of the future. Here are 67 riddles about New Year’s to ponder and solve.
Easy New Year’s Riddles
Let’s start with some easy riddles to get warmed up!
Q: What falls at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
A: The ball
Q: What is the traditional New Year’s song?
A: Auld Lang Syne
Q: What color is often associated with New Year’s Eve celebrations?
A: Gold
Q: What do people do at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
A: Kiss their loved ones and cheer
Q: What is another name for the beginning of a new year?
A: A new calendar year
Q: What do people make as the clock strikes midnight?
A: New Year’s resolutions
Q: What animal symbolizes the new year in Chinese culture?
A: A dragon
Q: What is the name of the famous New Year’s Eve celebration in New York City?
A: The ball drop in Times Square
Q: What determine the day New Year’s Eve falls on?
A: The Gregorian calendar
Q: January 1st marks the beginning of a new what?
A: Year
Trickier New Year’s Riddles
Let’s make things a little more challenging with some trickier riddles!
Q: The old year ends and the new year starts when this moves from 11:59 to 12:00.
A: The second hand on the clock
Q: It goes up on New Year’s Eve but doesn’t come down until the next year.
A: The ball in Times Square
Q: People kiss me on New Year’s Eve before I change.
A: The year
Q: People make me at the start of each year but often break me pretty soon after.
A: New Year’s resolutions
Q: What has a head and a tail but no body?
A: A new year
Q: The old one leaves and the new one arrives every year at midnight on December 31st.
A: The year
Q: I end the old and begin the new. I bring promise to the hopeful and reflection to the thoughtful. What am I?
A: New Year’s Day
Q: You plant me in the dirt every New Year to help me grow in the months ahead. What am I?
A: A New Year’s resolution
Q: On New Year’s some people kiss me to hopefully bring themselves luck in the new year ahead. What am I?
A: A loved one
Q: People flock to me on New Year’s Eve to watch me sparkle as I welcome the new year. What am I?
A: The ball in Times Square
Challenging New Year’s Riddles
Think you’re a riddle master? Try to solve these challenging New Year’s riddles!
Q: The old king leaves and a new one arrives every year. Each one rules for the exact same time. Who are they?
A: The years
Q: People party with me on New Year’s Eve to celebrate my arrival. Though I happen every year, I’m still always unexpected. What am I?
A: The new year
Q: I’m not Father Time, but every year I pass my duties on to a newborn. Who am I?
A: The old year
Q: When I end, the celebrations start. People countdown anxiously for my last seconds because they know what begins when I’m gone. What am I?
A: The old year
Q: You keep me in mind on New Year’s as you reflect on the year that’s passed. Hopes for the future determine if I’m happy or sad. What am I?
A: A memory
Q: I signify a transition from old to new, though what I bring is different every time. To some, I represent a clean slate. To others, uncertainty. What am I?
A: The new year
Q: I’m welcomed with fireworks and celebration, only to leave quietly 365 days later. What am I?
A: The new year
Q: I am always old and new at the same time. The old me passes just as the new me arrives. What am I?
A: The year
Q: My arrival means the old must pass but also that new beginnings are here. What am I?
A: The new year
Funny New Year’s Riddles
Share some laughs with these funny New Year’s riddles!
Q: Why do the evil villains like New Year’s Eve so much?
A: Because they can make new plans and plot new schemes!
Q: Why was Santa so laid back on New Year’s Eve?
A: Because he was still chillin’ after Christmas!
Q: Why did the New Year’s resolution make it to the gym on January 1st?
A: It wanted to meet its goal before completely falling apart!
Q: What’s a New Year’s resolution’s favorite ride at the amusement park?
A: The rollercoaster, full of ups and downs!
Q: Why do people say “Happy New Year!” on New Year’s Eve?
A: Because saying “goodbye old friend” to the past year would be too sad!
Q: How is a faulty clock like some New Year’s resolutions?
A: They don’t last very long!
Q: Why do New Year’s resolutions always start at the gym?
A: That’s where they fall apart the quickest!
Q: How did the baby New Year learn to walk so quickly?
A: It just took its first steps!
Q: Why couldn’t the leprechaun keep his New Year’s resolution?
A: He kept going back to his old habits!
Reflective New Year’s Riddles
Ponder the deeper meaning of New Year’s with these reflective riddles.
Q: Each year I transform, yet remain the same. Though you measure time with me, I have no concept of it. What am I?
A: The calendar year
Q: I mark an ending and celebrate new beginnings. I prompt reflections on the past and ponderings about the future. What am I?
A: New Year’s Eve
Q: With me, today’s regret becomes tomorrow’s resolve. The future is hopeful, and the past is history. What am I?
A: A new year
Q: I am your time to consider struggles and successes. A pause to be grateful and set future intentions. What am I?
A: The transition from old year to new year
Q: Though I represent new beginnings, I am just another cycle in the continuing spiral of life. What am I?
A: A new year
Q: I represent humanity’s perpetual desire for renewal, and the belief that change is always possible. What am I?
A: New Year’s celebrations
Q: The frenzy over my arrival represents humanity’s desire to improve life’s conditions, and hope that the future brings progress. What am I?
A: The new year
Q: My passing reminds you that time stops for no one. Make the most of each moment before I too fade into memory. What am I?
A: The old year
Conclusion
The new year brings a fresh start and opens new possibilities for growth and change. As demonstrated by these riddles, New Year’s can be playful, challenging, funny, and deeply reflective. However you choose to welcome the new year, may it bring you joy, wisdom and good fortune in the year ahead!
