The New Year Easter Egg is an event, similar to those that occur on April Fools' Day and Christmas, that happens every year on New Years Day.
This Easter Egg has been part of the mod since Public Beta 12. The speechbank was added in Public Beta 26.
Details[]
When the date is January 1st (in the real world), a mixed display of fireworks will spawn randomly around every player, regardless of whether it's day or night, at a safe distance. In general, to see fireworks, you will have to wait several minutes, then 8-16 or so will shoot off within a couple of minutes, followed by another significant break.
Additionally, every now and again NPCs will say the following instead of their normal speechbank:
Happy New Year, person!
Gallery[]
Fireworks over some Jazz Elves. Please note that they are separate and not part of the New Years Easter Egg.
Fireworks in The Shire
A friendly Hobbit