at new year / on new year's eve (2025)

Hello,

I have difficulty understanding some prepositions of time like at and on in these examples:
AT New Year
ON New Year's Eve.
I think for "

New Year's Eve" the preposition is ON because it solely refers to the night when we celebrate the end of the year, the bells ring, we kiss and party, etc.
But what about "at New Year's Eve"? I can't fathom why the preposition is AT. Is it because of the "Eve"? Or is it because it refers to the whole day? (From 00:01am until the 23:59 on the 31st of December) If that is the case, should it not be ON as it refers to a day? As far as I am concerned, the preposition of time for days is only ON isn't it? (on Mon

, on my birth

, on Independence

, on Christmas

...) And if it is because of the "Eve", what is that supposed to mean? I know it comes from "evening" doesn't it? But still I do not get it
What a kerfuffle! LOL
I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

Rivendell said:

I`ve always heard and said "on New Year's Eve".

Click to expand...

Me too but why ON for New Year's Eve and AT for New Year? That is my question

We use "on" for a day/date/ day with part of day. "On Friday, on Christmas Day, on 23rd May, on Friday morning".

We use "at" with the time - "at 6:30, at midnight, at dinner time", a few irregular things - "at night, at the weekend" and also with religious festivals - "at Easter, at Christmas"

We can compare "on Christmas Day" ( just the 25th), with "at Christmas" (the Christmas holiday period).
I personally haven't heard or ever used "at New Year", but maybe some people say it, in the same way that I say "at Christmas" (though I have my doubts).

Hope this helps.

SolAguila said:

On new year's eve, because this stands for a date whereas at refers to a place.

Click to expand...

That is the theory but in my opinion I do not think that works in this case.
I believe that "at New Year" is not referring to a place but a day/date (1st of January) therefore I think it should be ON as "on" is the preposition of time for days and dates.
However is it said AT New Year and I believe it is because it is referring to a period of time (31st of Dec. - 1st of January) and it is said ON New Year's Eve because it is referring to a day (ON New Year's Day).
Does this make sense?

That makes sense to me.
IN is the preposition of time for long periods (in the holidays, in the 5th century, in the Stone Age, etc) but AT can also refer to a period of time like at the weekend (2 days), at Christmas, at Easter, etc.
Maybe that is why it is said

New Year (31st of Dec. - 1st of Jan.) and

New Year's Eve = on New Year's Day.
Or maybe it is

New Year because it is a festivity like Christmas and Easter? I don't know

I would say:
on the weekend
during the weekend
over the weekend

but like you said the British do say at the weekend too and to be honest I do not know the difference between at the weekend and on the weekend.
Please, can a BrE speaker person explain this? And could anyone tell me whether what I said about at New Year/On New Year's Eve is right?
Thank you.

I saw it in a book called "Cambridge English, Complete PET"
This book says:
Prepositions of time - we use at for times of the day: at ten o'clock, at 8:15, at lunchtime, etc. and with expressions such as:

the weekend, at night,

New Year, etc.

This is when my doubts appeared.

I could also ask why it is "in the morning/afternoon/evening" (in) but at night (at). I know in the night exists too but here comes the question again. What is the difference between in the night and at night?
Aaahh English is such an easy language but it can be so confusing sometimes lol

JennyTW said:

I don't think there's really anything to explain. We say "at the weekend" and Americans say "on the weekend". That's just the way it is.
Regarding "at New Year", as I said before, I have never heard it in my life. Where did you see/hear it?
If it IS said then its probably used like "at Christmas", yes. Though I would say "What are you doing OVER the New Year?" In fact "at New Year" is definitely wrong, because,unlike Christmas, we always say "THE New Year",(except when there's an adjective in front - "Happy New Year")
And "on New Year's Eve" because it's one day.

Click to expand...

Michael Swan, 'Practical English Usage', numeral 82 number 4 states that we use 'at' to talk about the whole of the holidays at Christmas, At New Year, at Easter, at thanksgiving.