Do people still call each other at midnight on NYE?

Some do, but it's app calls now, so just more internet traffic.
- I prefer normal calls over app calls.

Back in the early 00's everybody called and the cell network was stressed, I normally waited 15-30 minutes before calling my parents.
Nowadays the 5g network can handle that many calls and a big chunk of the people use something else than phone calls.
- Does 5G handle regular voice calls, or are you talking about calling over a data line with an app?
  
  I would assume everything including GSM calls is IP/packet based nowadays, unless your phone has switched to 1G

I used to call some relatives but the list I had dwindled then the last people became too hard of hearing to call.
- This is very sad.
- Huh? What’s that? Anyway, happy new year buddy!

I just go to bed at 11, like i would on any other day off😅
- I was asleep by 10. Woke up to so many texts and didn't respond until I felt like it. It was honestly super nice. Just spent the night laying with my dogs and reading until I got sleepy.

Telstra also predicts that there will be 47 million calls from mobiles — up 15 per cent from last year — and close to 91 million text messages sent to family and friends.
Telstra said that the peak in texting starts just as we ring in the New Year.
Last year alone, more than 4.1 million text messages were sent between midnight and 1am.
For reference this is from 2017 and Australia has a population of ~24 million. So yes mobile networks do get stressed significantly on new years.

I don't think cell tower networks would be because they are probably on wifi when calling(at home) and likely use something like facetime or your choice of free open source messenger which uses the internet.
- I used to work next to a huge arena. Every time there was a sold-out show, the cell service would be rough the whole time from people sending videos and such. When the shows let out it would be a complete meltdown while people tried to get Ubers.
  
  I remember my graduation used wireless(presumably bluetooth) speakers, and they were constantly cutting out almost the whole time. Not quite to the scale you're talking about but the graduation hall was packed and I'm sure it was full of phones and smartwatches.

I would imagine the networks in especially congested areas (New York City Times Square) might struggle under the load because there's so many damn people celebrating.

I've only ever texted people, and always well before midnight. I've never called anyone on NYE, and I'm middle aged. Back in the day I was too busy in the moment to think of calling someone, and now a days nobody wants to be called, nor do I want to call.

I just talked with 3 people right at midnight. Did have a problem with one call going through but once connected the quality was fine.

Text messages are faster IMO
- It used to be that SMS service would get so overrun with HNY messages that it'd be a game to see how long it took to get a response. For some, at least. It truly was a time of making your own fun.
  
  Stupid wifi calling making our texts not even affect the cell towers :( Now everything's just eye peas going down the series of tubes.

I'll call my parents, that's about it. Network for me has been good for the last few years.

I'm usually visiting my parents during new year, so I just text a few friends. We usually meet up later in the day, though.

I scheduled a bunch of text to go out at midnight and they were fine. I do remember a time when both calling and texting would be delayed!

Ew, no. Nobody uses phones for voice communication, dad. We are all shut-ins and any calls must be regarding an immediate life-or-death situation.

In Japan, tons of people send LINE messages to each other. Some of the older generations still call. My US family and I emailed for what little data that comprises.

well i certainly never call anyone im a sheltered people who have no respect for society