Watch: This is how people in Europe spent New Year's Day

Walter Schirra, dives into the Tiber River from the Cavour bridge in Rome - Copyright REUTERS

By Hermione Gee with Agencies

Published on 01/01/2019 - 21:03•Updated 21:49

From swimming in chilly waters, to a parade and a religious ceremony, take a look at how people across Europe spent New Year's Day.

Europe tends to be cold in January — in some places even freezing. So it's perhaps surprising that so many New Year's Day traditions involve plunging into icy water — from Rome's Tiber river to Berlin's Oranke Lake; the Netherlands' North Sea to Ireland's Atlantic Ocean.

Back on dry land, other traditional celebrations include the Pope's New Year Mass at the Vatican and London's New Year's Day parade.