It’s not surprising to know that Spaniards take superstitions and traditions seriously. In fact, a host of traditions are respected by the locals, believing in luck, prosperity, and avoiding bad energy altogether.
During New Year’s Eve in Spain, locals follow a set of traditions to mark the start of a year in good health, overflowing fortune, and more blessings.
The Spanish culture is rich, and during New Year’s Eve, people don’t gather around kissing each other. The celebration is unique and leans more on family bonding, eating great food, and wishing everyone a good and prosperous year ahead.
The morning of the first day of a new year is certainly fun, with locals being carried away with general excitement.
Get to know the top ten famous traditions during new year’s eve in Spain. The celebration is rather special, as locals are accustomed to eating 12 lucky grapes, chugging bottles of Cava, and many more.
New Years Eve in Spain: 10 Local Traditions on New Years Eve
Eating a Soup of Coins
Take this figuratively as one cannot possibly consume coins made of copper or silver. In Spain, locals celebrate the New Year’s Eve with lentils on their tables to bring wealth in the coming year. Because this legume appears like a coin, many believe that it represents money.
Families in Spain make sure that there’s lentil soup for everybody to bring prosperity. There are people who love to eat lentils until midnight, welcoming the new year with full stomachs and hoping for more money. It’s not considered weird in the country, and many locals are accustomed to serving the dish during New Year’s Eve.
As time went by, people added chorizo with the lentil soup for more flavor and spice. The stew became popular to locals, and it’s already considered a staple.
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Wearing Red Underthings
If in Chinese culture, wearing red clothing brings prosperity, happiness, and luck, in Spain, people wear red underwear to find new love. Locals believe that a red underpants is a sure-fire way to get shot by Cupid’s arrow.
Days before New Year’s Eve in Spain, streets are filled with vendors selling different kinds of red undergarments. Even big retail shops also follow the trend and offer luxurious red bras, panties, boxer shorts, loose underpants, and overalls.
Some say this only works when the undies were a gift. Others also believe that for the love potion to work, the garments must be given away before daybreak. Either way, locals follow through, that’s why it became a huge thing every New Year’s Eve.
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Stuffing 12 Grapes
The New Years’ Eve in Spain wouldn’t be complete without the stash of 12 lucky grapes. Locals cling to their twelve green grapes, and at midnight, everyone pops these into their mouths. Grapes are believed to bring fortune and luck for Spaniards.
This long-standing New Years’ tradition in Spain is so big that manufacturers sell cans containing 12 small, seedless, green grapes. Supermarkets and street vendors also pack 12 grapes in a bundle to make it easier for people to pop it inside their pockets.
In some cities and villages, people also gather in plazas or central square to eat the grapes and friends and family.
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Dropping Gold to a Glass of Cava
After the grapes are gobbled, locals then proceed to raise a glass of Cava. Now, this isn’t complete without dropping any gold object into the glass. Before the toast, Spaniards make sure to drop gold jewelry or gold coins to bring prosperity. For the charm to work, a person must drink the Cava in one gulp.
In some regions, they believe that dropping a cherry, raspberry, or strawberry into the glass helps people to find love. To avoid infidelity, couples also drop their wedding rings into the glass before drinking the entire Cava.
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Stepping with the Right Foot
This may sound weird, but locals literally start the year on their right foot. Spaniards are accustomed to taking the first step after midnight on their right foot. As the saying goes, ‘start on the right foot’, which locals take seriously.
When people walk away from their houses, step down from the dinner table, or visit a relative’s house, they always step with their right foot first. Others also believe that the first step to take after the bells chime on New Year’s Eve in Spain should be the right foot to be on the right track.
Kids are also taught the same, that’s why in some households, people hop around on their right foot to indicate a good start on the new year.
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Writing and Burning Wishes in Paper
Although this is common in Colombia, Spaniards also write their wishes in a piece of paper then burn them when the clock hits midnight. There’s something about burning and celebrations in Spain that uses fire for a number of reasons.
During the celebration of the La Noche de San Juan, people in Malaga jump over the fire to cleanse the body and soul. On New Year’s Eve, it’s different, as locals write their wishes on a piece of paper and burn them, so the smoke can reach the heavens.
In other parts of Spain, people write sad memories and things they want to forget in a piece of paper then burn them as a symbol of a good year. When bad memories are burnt, people celebrate with a renewed perspective in life.
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Rub Lottery Ticket to a Pregnant Woman’s Belly
Aside from the biggest lottery every December 22 in Spain, there’s also a separate lottery in Catalonia that takes place on December 31. The La Grossa is organized to win five big prizes of up to €20,000. The draw happens before midnight, so winners become rich at the start of a new year.
For good luck, some people rub the lottery ticket to a pregnant woman’s belly. People can be seen rubbing the baby bump as a way to invite luck and prosperity. This gesture is not only popular among the Catalonians but also locals from other regions in Spain.
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Toast with Cava
The News Years Eve in Spain is always greeted with clinking glasses of Cava or the golden, sparkling drink. Bottles of Cava run out every New Year as people believe it brings wealth and good luck. Cava is a less expensive Spanish white wine similar to champagne.
In Spain, what people drink at midnight matters the most, because it represents the first day of the year. People go around toasting with a glass of Cava that has a rich, sweet flavor. Usually, this drink is enjoyed after munching on the 12 green grapes to avoid choking.
Because of the huge demand, the prices of Cava slightly increases during December, that’s why most locals stock on these bottles as early as June or July.
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Praying with Family
Ringing in the new year in Spain also meant families praying for a peaceful, blessed, and good year. Aside from other bizarre traditions, locals gather around to pray, send their thanks to the creator and God. After the toasts, feasts, and fun, some families take the time to pray.
Spaniards are naturally religious. That’s why it remained conservative. Visitors are required to cover up when visiting churches or cathedrals and other religious infrastructure. The population is 90 percent Catholic, and people attend masses regularly.
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Putting Bills and Coins in Pockets
Everyone wants to enjoy an abundance of wealth for the coming new year, so most people put and hide bills or coins into their pockets. When the clock strikes midnight, everyone munch on the grapes, toast with Cava, and pray, while keeping a bunch of money in their pockets.
In some instances, locals cling to the bills while stepping on their right foot. New Years’ in Spain is celebrated this way to make people hope for a better year, filled with more wealth, luck, and good health.
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