The citizens of Skopje have a tradition of organized public celebration of the New Year since 1990 which is a feature that distinguishes it from the rest of the cities in the country and out of it. During the last few years a conception has been created and a programme has been implemented which entirely has satisfied the needs of the citizens of Skopje and at the same time it has been an inspiration for the other cities in Macedonia.

The development of this conception began with a one-day programme. It has been enriched with numerous contents throughout the years and with a “Before the Holiday Programme” in which were included various contents. On the one hand it was not just with entertaining character but also had its own educational values presented specially for the children, and on the other hand they have left permanent cultural marks and initiated programmes which are traditionally implemented by other institutions in the city. In accordance to this, it is worthwhile to mention some of the contents which were initiated and implemented within the New Year’s programme such as the programmes for children including a Santa Clause at open space in the center of the city, theatre performances which are specially prepared for children, humorous stage evenings, street performers, rock concerts, “Square Radio”, as well as exhibitions of photogaphs, New Year’s concerts of the Philharmonic Orchestra and etc.

Some of these contents are traditionally fulfilled each year, some not so regularly, and there are such that were also initiated and, at the beginning, organized and implemented by the Directorate of Culture and Arts, but continued their ‘lives’ in the institutions with which or by which they were elaborated.

Since the celebration of the New Year 2003, a new concept of the programme has begun to be implemented which includes a construction of a small “New Year’s City” with stalls in a shape of wooden houses where food and drinks, presents and souvenirs are offered to the citizens. The development of this conception in the next few years will be directed towards the widening of the time that would be animated with the traditional cultural and entertaining contents including life performances of the most famous Macedonian pop, rock and folk music performers.