New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day, is a time for celebration and reflection as people all around the world ring in the new year. While many countries have similar traditions, each one has its own unique way of welcoming in the new year. Here are some New Year’s Eve traditions from Spain, Brazil, Denmark, the Philippines, Colombia, Greece, Turkey, and Italy:
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Spain, Europe
New Year’s Eve is known as: Nochevieja
It is a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate. Many people gather at outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays at midnight. One of the most popular traditions in Spain is to eat a grape with each bell strike at midnight. It is believed that eating 12 grapes, one with each bell strike, will bring good luck for the year ahead.
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Brazil, South America
New Year’s Eve is known: Réveillon
It is a time for celebration and renewal. Many Brazilians attend large outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays and live music. One of the most popular traditions in Brazil is to wear white clothing on New Year’s Eve, as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. It is also common to make a list of things to leave behind in the old year and things to look forward to in the new year.
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Denmark, Europe
New Year’s Eve is known: Nytårsaften
It is a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate. Many people attend parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays at midnight. One of the most popular traditions in Denmark is to jump off chairs at midnight as a way to symbolize letting go of the old year and starting fresh in the new year.
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Philippines, South-East Asia
New Year’s Eve is known: Bisperas ng Bagong Taon
New Year is a time for celebration and reflection. Many Filipinos attend large outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays and live music. One of the most popular traditions in the Philippines is to wear polka dots on New Year’s Eve, as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. It is also common to eat round fruits, such as oranges and apples, as a way to symbolize good fortune and abundance in the new year.
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Colombia, South America
New Year’s Eve is known: Fin de Año
It is a New Year’s Eve tradition to pack an empty suitcase and walk around the block with it. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. The idea is that by carrying an empty suitcase, one is symbolically making room for all the blessings and good fortune that the coming year will bring. Some people also place a small amount of money inside the suitcase as an additional symbol of abundance. It is also common to write a list of goals or wishes for the new year and place it inside the suitcase as a way of setting intentions for the coming year. This tradition is widely practiced in Colombia and is a fun and positive way to start the new year.
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Greece, Europe
New Year’s Eve is known: Protohronia
New Year is a time for celebration and reflection. Many Greeks attend large outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays and live music. One of the most popular traditions in Greece is to hang an onion on the front door as a way to symbolize rebirth and renewal for the year ahead. It is also common to eat lentils, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
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Turkey, Europe
New Year’s Eve is known: Yılbaşı
New Year is a time for celebration and reflection. Many Turks attend large outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays and live music. One of the most popular traditions in Turkey is to make a wish at midnight by throwing coins into a fountain or river. It is also common to eat pomegranates, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
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Italy, Europe
New Year’s Eve is known: Capodanno
New Year is a time for celebration and reflection. Many Italians attend large outdoor parties and events, and it is common to see fireworks displays and live music. One of the most popular traditions in Italy is to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve, as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. It is also common to eat lentils and cotechino, a type of sausage, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
No matter where you are in the world, New Year’s Eve is a time to come together with loved ones and celebrate the start of a new year. Each country has its own unique traditions, but the common theme is one of hope, renewal, and good luck for the year ahead.
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