In Spain, the New Year’s Eve tradition is to eat 12 grapes, one with each bell toll, making a wish with each one to welcome the new year with good luck. But have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate the last night of the year? At AMA Islantilla Resort, we want to share some of the most curious and fascinating New Year’s Eve traditions from different places around the world.

1.  Japan: 108 Bell Tolls to Purify the Soul

In Japan, Buddhist temples ring the bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve. This ritual symbolizes the purification of the 108 worldly desires that, according to Buddhist tradition, cause suffering. After the bell tolls, the Japanese toast with amazake, a sweet, seasonal drink.

2.  Russia: Burning of Wishes

In Russia, the New Year’s tradition involves writing wishes on a piece of paper, then burning it and throwing the ashes into a glass of champagne. Afterward, the bravest drink the mixture to ensure their wishes come true in the new year.

3. Denmark: Breaking Plates for Friendship

In Denmark, it is customary to break plates on the doors of friends and family as a symbol of good fortune and friendship. According to tradition, the more broken plates you find on your door, the more friends you’ll have in the new year!

4.  Brazil: Honoring the Goddess of the Sea

In Brazil, especially on the famous Copacabana beach, after the New Year’s Eve fireworks, the goddess of the sea, Lemanjá, is honored by throwing flowers and offerings into the sea while jumping seven waves. In addition, Brazilians celebrate dressed in white, a symbol of peace and purity, to attract good fortune.

5.  United States: Midnight Kiss

In the United States, one of the best known traditions is the midnight kiss. It is believed that if you do not receive a kiss just after 12 o’clock, you will live a year alone. This superstition is very popular, especially in Times Square (New York), where the fall of the crystal ball marks the beginning of the new year.

6. United Kingdom: First visitor brings good luck

In the UK, it is believed that the first person to visit your home after midnight will bring good luck for the whole year. It is customary to bring a small gift, such as bread, coal or money, to ensure prosperity for 365 days of the year.

7.  Chile: Insured travel with one suitcase

In the Latin American country they have one of our favorite traditions, which consists of going out on the street with an empty suitcase to take a walk. This ensures a year full of travel and adventure.

8. Mexico: Sweeping the house to attract good fortune

In Mexico, sweeping the house at the end of the year is a way to get rid of negativity from the previous year. It is also customary to sweep coins into the house, with the intention of attracting wealth in the new year.

9. Italy: Lentils for abundance

In Italy, New Year’s Eve dinner includes lentils, which symbolize wealth and prosperity. This tradition dates back to Roman times, when lentils were given as gifts in the hope that they would become gold coins in the new year.

10.  Czech Republic: A shoe for love

In the Czech Republic, single women throw a shoe over their shoulder on New Year’s Eve. Tradition has it that if the shoe lands pointing towards the door, it means they will find love and get married in the coming year.

11. Puerto Rico: Water to ward off evil spirits

In Puerto Rico, thanks to its excellent tropical climate, in addition to eating the 12 grapes, it is customary to throw buckets of water through the windows to ward off evil spirits. In addition, some people dive into the sea on their backs to ensure a good year.

12.  Greece: Playing cards and eating vasilopita

In Greece, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with card games or dice, wishing luck and prosperity for the new year. In addition, it is tradition to eat the vasilopita, a sponge cake containing a lucky coin, whoever finds it will have a year of fortune, just like our Roscón de Reyes!

These are just some of the most curious New Year’s Eve traditions to welcome the New Year around the world. At AMA Islantilla Resort we love to celebrate these special dates and learn how they do it in other places. Do you dare to incorporate any of these New Year’s Eve traditions in your next celebration? ✨