'It is just what you do': Longtime Islanders and newcomers gather for New Year's Day levees

For Oceane Xu, levee day was a brand new experience in her brand new home.

She moved to P.E.I. from China just three months ago with her husband and daughter. 

"We don't have this tradition in China, at least in my cities we don't have this kind of thing," she said. "It is very new for us and it is very friendly." 

Always held on New Year's Day, levees were originally formal court receptions held by the sovereign and were only for men. But they have become a tradition open to all.

Xu said since their arrival, Islanders have been kind and welcoming. As for her wish for the coming new year? 

"For our daughter — our wish is her happiness and her health," she said. "That is also the reason we moved to P.E.I. We think it is a really great place to raise children."

Between snacks and chats, others at the Bishop's levee in Charlottetown made time to consider the year ahead.

Maureen Pendergast from Darnley, P.E.I., came into Charlottetown with her cousins for the day. She wishes for "tranquil times" for 2025, and praised the levees as a way to start the year.

"It is just what you do. It is so special here on P.E.I.," Pendergast said. "Nobody else does this. It's extraordinary, it's wonderful."

"It's something to be protected and cherished."

Charlene Duffy from Stratford, P.E.I., said she had "lost count" of how many Charlottetown-area levees she had been to and said she was having a "really enjoyable day."

But as for resolutions?

"I don't bother keeping resolutions because I don't normally keep them. I've given up on those long ago," she said.

Ali Nasoudi of Charlottetown just learned about the tradition of the levee on New Year's Eve and decided to give the event held at The Haviland Club a try.