New Year's Eve traditions in Spain. Our curiosities and rituals Have you made all the preparations for New Year's Eve? There are only two days left until the New Year's Eve party! 😁 Do you want to live it like a Spaniard? Then don't leave the screen because in this article we will tell you
Have you made all the preparations for the New Year's Eve?
There are only two days left until the New Year's Eve party! 😁
Do you want to live it like a Spaniard?
Then don't leave the screen because in this article we will tell you all the curiosities, rituals and New Year's Eve traditions in Spain. 🥳
When is it New Year's Eve in Spain?
It is always the December 31, the last day of the year.
Remember that New Year's Eve is the same as New Year's Eve.
How do we celebrate it?
Well, the normal thing is that the December 31 dinner be very special. It is celebrated with the family or with friends.
If you decide to spend a Family New Year's Eve, the environment surely it will be quieter.
It is possible that the dinner be done in the house of someone in the family and that many members attend: uncles, cousins, nephews, grandparents...
If you saw our article on Christmas in Spain, you will already know what we had dinner usually at Christmas.
Haven't you read it?
Well, in that case I'll tell you. The most traditional food is seafood and meat lamb or pork.
Although there are a lot of recipes for New Year's Eve dinner and each family usually has their own.
Until what time does this last? family gathering?
The normal thing is that it starts at nine at night and lasts at least until the moment of the tradition of the 12 grapes on New Year's Eve, which is at twelve.
Then the family celebrates New Yearwith cava, lots of hugs and it is possible that the more party-goers will put on some music and get excited about dancing or singing Christmas carols.
When is New Year's?
New Year's Day in Spain is the day after New Year's Eve, January 1.
Do you prefer to enjoy the New Year's Eve parties? in the company of friends?
I think it's a good idea, in Spain we usually do that and it always turns out to be a very special night.
There are several options to make the New Year's Eve celebration with friends:
A good plan would be to have dinner at a restaurant downtown, then go to the Town Hall Square for the 12 chimes of New Year and, finally, go out to party at one of the Valencian clubs or to a big party in a hotel.
If quieter plans are your thing and you prefer to enjoy nature, you can always rent a rural house in a village or go to a friend's chaletand have the party there. This type of plan is very common on New Year's Eve.
What do you think of these New Year's Eve plans in Spain?
As you see, you have many options. Whether you celebrate it in the city or go to the countryside, the party is guaranteed. 🎉
The chimes of New Year's Eve They are made in many countries.
In case you don't know, a bell is the sound that the bells make when hitting: «Dong! Dong! Dong!». That sound. 😅
¿When the 12 bells ring?
They sound fair in the last 12 seconds of the year. That is why they are so exciting and everyone counts them, because they are the door that closes the year and at the same time ushers in the new year.
Everyone starts with them New Year's resolutions: join the gym, pass the exams, learn Spanish, be more sociable...
And you? Are you already clear about your purposes for next year 2023?
To be lucky in the coming year and for these purposes to be fulfilled, it is necessary to do the right things. rituals for New Year's Eve.
Perhaps you have heard that there are many superstitions on New Year's Eve.
Do you want to know them? If you are in Spain and want to have a good year, you have no other option. 😋
Let's see them!
The tradition of eat grapes on New Year's Eve is one of the traditions of Spain most important.
And why do we do this? Why do we eat 12 grapes on New Year's Eve?
Well they exist two theories that explain the origin from the Story of the 12 lucky grapes.
The first theory It dates back to 1909.
This year there was a huge vine harvest in Alicante and wanted increase grape sales massively. As?
Convincing the population that grape was the lucky fruit for New Year's Eve.
The second theory It goes a little further back in time, to the year 1880.
Starting this year, the population of the most humble classes of Madrid began to eat grapes at Puerta del Sol like a mockery of the bourgeoisie, since she always drank wine accompanied by grapes at her private parties.
Now you can get an idea of where the tradition of the 12 New Year's Eve grapes comes from in Spain.
Whatever the most accurate theory, the truth is that today it continues to be one of the New Year's Eve traditions dearest for all Spaniards. The whole country does it.
And why are exactly 12 grapes taken?
because each grape represents a month of the year, if you drink the grape every second you will be lucky that month.
So now you know! For this New Year's Eve buy your grapes and if they can be already peeled and seeded much better, so you will digest them well.
I recommend that you do this New Year's Eve tradition in Spain and pay attention to the faces of your friends when they have the 12 grapes in their mouths. 😝
It's a really fun experience!
There are more New Year's Eve traditions and rituals to attract good luck on New Year's Eve.
Do you want to know what they are?
I'll tell you.
One of these rituals is the tradition of wear red underwear for New Year's Eve.
Why those colors for underwear on New Year's Eve?
In the western medieval culture, the color red was associated with witchcraft and magic, and it was forbidden to wear clothes with these colors.
However, it was also believed that the color red gave good luck between white and gray tones of the cold winter.
From there arises the ritual of wearing red underwear, because It is hidden and not seen.
If you want to strictly comply with this tradition, these underwear it must be new and you have to put just before the chimes. Otherwise, good luck will not have its effect.
And what about the rest of the clothes? ¿How to dress for New Year's Eve properly?
There is no dress code for good luck except red underwear. It is normal to wear elegant clothes.
The most typical New Year's Eve colors are black, grey, brown or red for the most daring.
Another ritual is to do the New Year's Eve toast after the bells.
The toast is the action of raising glasses and clinking them with all the members of the table.
It is an action that is done practically all over the world and that symbolizes the feeling of brotherhood and appreciation towards the people around you.
At New Year's Eve, We Spaniards usually toast with cava or champagne.
On New Year's Eve there is alsogood luck rituals with toast.
As?
putting a object that has gold in the toast cup. The most common is a ring.
But be careful, don't drink it! The line between good luck and bad luck can be very blurry with this tradition. 😅
When the bells end, the first thing we Spaniards do is (in addition to digesting the grapes) hug each other and give kisses to loved ones who accompanied us at dinner.
It's our way of express our love to those people and to show how lucky we are to spend another year with them.
We Spaniards are very affectionate and physical contact is very important for us.
We always give two kisses on the face to our relatives.
In your culture are you so kisses? 😙
Another of the typical New Year's Eve rituals consists of seeing television shows that are broadcast on New Year's Eve.
These programs are always about music and the most famous Spanish singers attend.
They are very cute programs and usually be in the background at New Year's Eve dinner, while family members eat, talk and have fun.
We come to a topic that you surely love and want to know more information: the New Year's Eve parties.
In all parts of Spain you will find a party on this night, it will not be difficult.
We are going to give you details of the party on New Year's Eve in Valencia, because this is where our school is: Hispania, Spanish school.
I have already mentioned at the beginning that the most common way to go out partying with friends in Valencia is to go to Town Hall Square and take the grapes there.
Here is a small party with New Year's Eve music. Starts around 10:30 p.m., but ends early, around 02.00. If you want to extend the night I suggest several alternatives:
It is a very good option since in Valencia there are many quality nightclubs: Mya, Moon, Indiana, Play, Picadilly…
Choose the neighborhood you like the most and go out!
However, don't forget book tickets in advance because they sell out very quickly and as the night of December 31 approaches the prices go up.
Another important thing you should know is that some clubs are filled with a lot of people on this night, so if you don't like crowds it may not be the most recommended option.
The neighborhoods of El Carmen and Ruzafa are the most popular neighborhoods with the most leisure in Valencia currently.
There are countless clubs and premises of all types. The good thing about these clubs is that they are cheaper than discos, although they are also smaller and close earlier.
If you haven't booked a ticket to any club and you like to improvise, wander through these neighborhoods and immerse yourself in their dens It's a good idea.
I think this option is one of the best and in the next section I will explain why.
These macro parties with open bar and party favors are good options for their value for money.
It is about private parties in hotels, in which you have open bar (you can drink as much as you want) and the party favors. 🎉🥳
These parties usually last until the early hours of the morning, they have limited capacity, so they are not usually crowded with people and you can dance with space. 🕺
What do you have to do to attend these macro parties?
Simply book and pay for entry in advance, just like with clubs.
Where can you enjoy these parties?
There are many centers that organize them. Some of the most famous are:
Not all of these places are located in Valencia, some are in towns and you need a car or bus to get there. Do your research before booking tickets.
We are sure that all of the above party options are interesting and that one will satisfy your needs.
In Valencia there are big parties, You have to come and live the experience! 😊
And what happens when the music and the party ends?
The New Year's Eve traditions do not end, we need to say goodbye through the front door... with a chocolate with churros. 😋
When the party is over and we return home, it is normal for us to be hungry.
At that moment nothing comes in better than a sweet hot chocolate with churros to warm us from the winter cold. ☕
Now, New Year's Eve has come to an end and we We have enjoyed it and celebrated it as it deserves.
Next year we will be back at it!
Do you think we share New Year's Eve traditions with other countries?
There are some things that are similar and some things that are different.
For example, did you know that in some countries like Italy They have the tradition of taking lentils at New Year's Eve? It is another way to seek good luck.
Do you want to know more good luck rituals around the world? I'll quote you some:
These are just some examples.
I could go on forever, since in each country has its own rituals as interesting and traditional as we have them in Spain.
¿In which countries are the 12 grapes taken?, besides in Spain?
This tradition has spread to others latin american countries such as Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia or Ecuador.
"Living with you but without you."
Before finishing, I suggest you do this activity to practice vocabulary about New Year's Eve that we have seen in this article.
In our cultural articles Our goal is for you to learn about the culture of Spain but also that learn new words related to the article.
So, go ahead! You have the solution in the same exercise. I hope it goes well. ✌️
What did you think of the Spanish New Year's Eve traditions?
Do you feel like living them in company?
then come to Valencia and is part of Hispania, Spanish school. Here you can learn spanish in our spanish courses in person and in our online Spanish courses.
At our school, you will be able enjoy Spanish Christmas with other students. You are sure to make new friends from all over the world.
We also usually make our own bells with the 12 grapes in class, so you can immerse yourself in Spanish New Year's traditions. It's so much fun!
Which tradition that I have explained to you has caught your attention the most and why?
Leave your comment and we'll talk! 😉
Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school
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