As the calendar resets, cultures across the globe mark the arrival of the new year with rituals shaped by history, belief and local imagination. Some traditions revolve around food, color or carefully timed gestures, while others trace their origins to ancient superstitions meant to attract luck, health or prosperity when the clock strikes midnight.
Beyond the familiar customs, there are celebrations that blur the line between symbolic and surreal. From public spectacles rooted in folklore to intimate practices passed down through generations, New Year’s traditions reveal how different societies interpret renewal—sometimes through joy, sometimes through risk, and often through rituals that defy expectation.
Eating Twelve Grapes at Midnight — Spain
As the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat twelve grapes, one for each chime. The ritual dates back more than a century and symbolizes good fortune for every month ahead. Missing a grape is said to invite bad luck, turning the countdown into a race against time and superstition.
Wearing Red Underwear — Italy
In Italy, New Year’s Eve fashion starts beneath the surface. Red underwear is believed to bring love, vitality, and prosperity in the coming year. The tradition blends Roman symbolism with modern humor, making it one of the most enduring—and playful—rituals of the night.
Smashing Plates — Denmark
Danes welcome the new year by throwing old plates against the doors of friends and family. A doorstep covered in broken porcelain is considered a sign of popularity and goodwill. The louder the mess, the stronger the bonds entering the year ahead.
Jumping Off Chairs at Midnight — Germany
As the final seconds of the year tick away, many Germans stand on chairs and jump down at midnight, symbolically “leaping” into the new year. The gesture reflects a collective desire to leave the past behind with a literal change in position.
Carrying Empty Suitcases — Colombia
In parts of Colombia, people walk around the block with empty suitcases to attract travel in the coming year. The ritual has become a visual staple of New Year’s Eve, blending hope, humor, and the universal desire for new destinations.
Burning Dolls — Ecuador
Ecuadorians build large effigies, often representing public figures or symbolic misfortunes, and burn them at midnight. The act is meant to cleanse the past year of negativity, transforming fire into a ritual of emotional release and renewal.
Throwing Water Out the Window — Puerto Rico
To clear away bad energy, some households throw buckets of water out their windows on New Year’s Eve. The practice reflects a belief in purification, ensuring the year begins without lingering negativity from the past.
Eating Ring-Shaped Cakes — Netherlands
Dutch families celebrate with oliebollen, deep-fried dough balls often enjoyed just before midnight. Their circular shape symbolizes continuity and protection, tying food traditions directly to ideas of safety and abundance.
Breaking Pomegranates — Turkey
In Turkey, smashing a pomegranate on the doorstep is believed to bring prosperity. The scattered seeds represent abundance, making the ritual a vivid and symbolic way to welcome the year with hopes of growth and success.
First-Footing — Scotland
Part of the Hogmanay celebration, first-footing involves the first person to enter a home after midnight bringing symbolic gifts like coal or bread. The visitor’s presence is thought to set the tone for the household’s fortune in the year ahead.
Ringing Temple Bells 108 Times — Japan
In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to cleanse humanity of earthly desires. The ritual emphasizes reflection and spiritual renewal, marking the new year with silence, balance, and intention rather than noise.
Making Noise to Scare Away Spirits — Worldwide
From fireworks to horns and whistles, making loud noise at midnight is one of the most widespread traditions. Rooted in ancient beliefs, the practice aims to drive away evil spirits and ensure the new year begins protected and unchallenged.
Eating Lentils — Brazil
Lentils are eaten at midnight as a symbol of wealth and abundance. Their coin-like shape ties the tradition to prosperity, making it a staple of New Year’s tables across the country.
Sleeping with Money Under the Pillow — Various Countries
In parts of Latin America and Europe, people place bills or coins under their pillow to attract financial stability. The ritual blends superstition with personal intention as the year turns.
Throwing Furniture Out the Window — South Africa (Johannesburg)
In some neighborhoods, old furniture is thrown out of windows to mark a clean break with the past. Though controversial and increasingly regulated, the act symbolizes release and renewal in dramatic fashion.
Eating Long Noodles — China
Longevity noodles are eaten without cutting them, as breaking the noodle is believed to shorten life. The tradition ties New Year celebrations directly to wishes for health and long life.
Kissing at Midnight — United States and Europe
Rooted in ancient folklore, the midnight kiss is meant to secure love and prevent loneliness in the coming year. The gesture has become one of the most recognizable rituals tied to the countdown.
Making a List of Fears and Burning It — Various Cultures
Some people write down fears, regrets, or bad memories from the past year and burn the paper at midnight. The act transforms reflection into a symbolic release.
Eating Pickled Herring — Poland & Scandinavia
Herring is associated with prosperity due to its silver color and abundance. Consumed at the start of the year, it represents hope for financial stability and good fortune.
Wearing Yellow — Latin America
Yellow clothing is believed to attract happiness, optimism, and success. The color dominates New Year’s celebrations in several countries, turning fashion into a symbolic gesture.
Opening All Doors and Windows — Philippines
At midnight, doors and windows are opened to let good luck in and bad energy out. The ritual emphasizes balance and transition, aligning physical space with symbolic renewal.
Avoiding Crying or Breaking Objects — Various Asian Cultures
Tears and broken items on New Year’s Day are believed to invite misfortune. As a result, the first hours of the year are approached with care, calm, and restraint.
