New Year's Traditions Around the World

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In the United States we usher out the last day of the year with champagne, ball drops, fireworks, and kisses at midnight. Around the world, different cultures welcome the New Year with unique traditions of their own. Here are some of our favorite New Year’s traditions around the globe.

Spain:  Eating 12 Grapes

In Spain, it’s customary for locals to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. In the 1800s, vine growers came up with the idea to sell more grapes toward the end of the year. Today, it’s believed that each grape represents one month of luck in the new year. In the hopes it brings about a year of good fortune and prosperity, Spaniards gather to pass around bottles of cava and eat their grapes together.

Greece:  Hanging Onions

Onions are a symbol of rebirth in Greece. Because the bulbs easily grow roots and sprout, onions are viewed as highly fertile. When an onion is left unused, it tries to put down roots and grow once again. This is the ultimate symbol of fertility, according to Greeks. So onions are hung on doors – to help everyone in the house experience a rebirth of their own in the new year. 

Denmark:  Smashing Plates

It's a Danish tradition to throw old plates and cups at your friends' and neighbors' front doors on New Year's Eve. The larger your pile of broken dishes, the more luck you will have in the upcoming year. So the Danes take pride in the number of broken dishes outside their door.

 
Scotland: First Footing

The Scottish observe many traditions, but First Footing is one of their most famous. According to old Scottish beliefs, the first person who crosses the threshold of your house after midnight on New Year's Day slates your luck for the new year. Tradition says to ensure good vibes, your first-footer should be a dark-haired male (fair-haired footers weren’t particularly popular after the Viking invasion). First Footers would come bearing coin, bread, salt, coal, and whiskey, gifts representing all the things the new year would hopefully bring, such as prosperity, food, flavor, warmth, and good cheer. Today, good-hearted family and friends crossing the threshold will suffice.

Finland:  Melting Tin

The Finnish people predict the coming year by casting molten tin into cold water and then interpreting the shape after it's hardened. A ship predicts travel, while a heart or ring means a wedding, and a key declares a new house. Today, this tradition continues with Finnish homes encouraged to use beeswax, which is lead-free.

Japan:  Eating Soba Noodles

In Japanese culture, the new year is welcomed by eating a bowl of soba noodles. It is believed that the soba noodle's long length and thin shape signify a long and healthy life. Chewing the soft noodles represents letting go of regrets from the old year and starting the new year fresh.

Ireland:  Banging Bread

An Irish superstition that’s passed the test of time involves banging bread on the doors and walls of the family home on New Year’s Eve. The idea is that you chase away bad luck and invite good luck in before the start of the new year. It also allows the coming year to be filled with abundance.

 

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