New Year’s Eve Traditions Around The World

2023 is right around the corner. So with this in mind, what better way to find inspiration for next year’s travels than to discover how people celebrate different New Year’s Eve traditions around the world? Let’s take a look at them by country. You may find something interesting here!

SPAIN

One of the well-known New Year’s Eve Traditions Around The World came from Spain. It’s a traditional belief that before midnight on Dec 31, eating 12 grapes- each stands for a different month, can bring good luck for the coming year. It is called uvas de la suerte (the grapes of good luck).

BRAZIL

Picking out an outfit for New Year’s Eve can be overwhelming! Unless you happen to live in Brazil, where the tradition of wearing white makes your choice a lot easier. In Brazilian culture, wearing white is a sign of peace and prosperity. Plus, what’s great about this tradition is that matching outfits make good photos!

DENMARK

To bring good luck and banish bad fortune, people in Denmark stand on a chair and leap into the new year at midnight. That won’t hurt unless you break the chair. 🙂

PHILIPPINES

One of the most popular traditions in the Philippines is to eat sticky rice for new year’s eve dinner. Families gather together and strengthen their bonds, believing that eating food made from sticky rice, like bibingka (a type of baked rice cake), will bind families tighter together. 

COLOMBIA

The New Year’s Eve Tradition in Colombia is to take empty suitcases and run around the block as fast as possible. Reason being that this will guarantee a year filled with travel. Hopefully, you can cross out Travel More on your bucket list in 2023.

GREECE

On New Year’s Eve in Greece, people hang an onion on the front door as a symbol of rebirth. On the first day of the New Year, parents wake their children up with the onion to make sure the following year will be full of happiness, prosperity, and new growth.

TURKEY

When the clock strikes midnight, Turkey’s tradition is to open the front door and sprinkle salt on the doorstep. This act is to bring peace and abundance to home and business.

ITALY

Wearing red underwear is thought to help with finding happiness and love in Italy. There is one more condition for making this superstition work. The underwear should be new and a gift from others. This tradition dates back to the ancient Romans. And it is widely accepted as a New Year’s Eve tradition around the world.