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10 Odd New Year’s Eve Traditions From Around The World
Global New Year’s Traditions
At the end of every year, we may find ourselves recapping the last 365 days. Thinking about what went right, what went wrong, who we met, who we lost, what we would change or what we would keep the same.
Instead of focusing on all the things that have happened, good and bad, we’ve gathered some fun New Year’s Eve Traditions for you, from around the world
One thing that almost all New Year’s Eve traditions have in common is that they’re there to bid the old fella farewell, and to welcome in the New Year.
- In Scotland New Year’s is also called Hogmanay. A Scots word loosely meaning “the last day of the year”, Hogmanay is a celebration of the Winter Solstice. Hogmanay includes, fireball swingers, torches, Vikings and fireworks. Hogmanay stretches into the 1st of January where families come together once again to eat the ultimate hangover meal; a steak pie. As a result of this, the 2nd of January is a public holiday in Scotland.
- Seeing in the New Year in Spain is unique in many ways. When the striking of the clock begins at midnight, you have to eat one grape at every strike. One grape for every month. This is told to bring a year of prosperity and good luck. Be careful not to choke though.
- The Danes start their New Year’s Eve watching the Monarch give a speech about the passing year. When the clock turns 12 in Denmark, the Danes jump off a chair, and into the New Year. This way they’re off to a flying start.
- In the land down under, people walk through the streets banging loudly on pots and pans when the New Year starts. So don’t go to bed before 12 in Australia, you’ll most likely be woken up again!
- At midnight the Czechs cut an apple in half. If the shape of the core is a star, you’re in for a treat and can expect a happy year. Is it a cross then be wary of a mischievous year.
- For New Years Eve the Brazilians wear white to scare away bad spirits and to welcome a clean and fresh new year. If by the coast, it is custom to jump 7 waves for good luck, one wave for each day of the week.
- To bid the old year adiós, the people of Ecuador make, and burn a doll on New Years Eve. This is meant to indicate the ‘burning away’ of the old year, and of course to welcome the new!
- In the Philippines they leave the lights on New Year’s Eve to guard off evil spirits. They also open all cabinets, drawers and doors until 12, and then run around shutting them.
- Write a wish on a piece of paper, burn it, then drink the ashes with a glass of bubbly Champagne between 00:00 and 00:01. This odd tradition is by the Russians.
- In Turkey it is a tradition to throw pomegranates from your balcony when the clock turns midnight. Pomegranates make such a mess so if you’re in Turkey for New Years, avoid standing under any balconies.
If you’re interested in learning more about the other cultures and languages around the world, one of the best ways in which to do this watching some of the best foreign language films. Do you have any odd New Years traditions? Give us a shout – we’d love to hear from you.
