As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, people around the world gather to welcome the new year with celebrations, resolutions, and plenty of cheer. But did you know that different cultures have their own quirky—and often surprising—New Year’s traditions? From eating grapes to breaking dishes, these unique customs bring a mix of joy, good luck, and fun to the holiday season. So, let’s take a journey around the world to explore some of the most unusual and delightful ways people ring in the new year!
1. Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight – Spain
In Spain, New Year’s Eve is marked by a sweet and slightly challenging tradition: eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. The grapes represent the 12 months of the coming year, and the goal is to eat one grape with each chime of the clock. It’s said that if you manage to finish all 12 grapes before the last chime, you’ll have good luck in the new year. While it sounds simple, the task can be trickier than you think—especially if the grapes are a little too big or your timing is off! Either way, it’s a fun and tasty way to kick off the year with a burst of flavor and fortune.
2. First-Footing – Scotland
In Scotland, the first-footing tradition is all about being the first person to enter a home after midnight on New Year’s Eve. But there’s a catch: the first person through the door should be a tall, dark-haired man for good luck! The “first footer” typically brings gifts, such as coal, bread, or whiskey, as a symbol of prosperity and warmth for the coming year. If the first-footer is a fair-haired person (which is considered less lucky), don’t worry—just try again next year! This tradition is deeply rooted in Scottish culture and is a major part of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration.
3. Burning an Effigy – Ecuador
In Ecuador, they take the concept of “out with the old” to a whole new level by burning effigies—called “Años Viejos”—to mark the end of the year. These life-sized dolls are often made of old clothes and stuffed with fireworks, representing the old year that’s being burned away to make room for the new one. The effigies often resemble famous figures or even political leaders, but no one is safe from being symbolically burned as part of this cleansing ritual. As the dolls go up in flames, the tradition is believed to bring good luck and help people rid themselves of negative energy from the past year.
4. Jumping Off a Chair – Denmark
In Denmark, people take an unusual leap into the new year—literally! At the stroke of midnight, it’s customary to jump off a chair as a symbol of “leaping” into the new year. The idea behind this tradition is that it will banish any bad luck from the previous year and ensure a fresh, positive start. If you’ve ever wanted to start your New Year’s resolution with a literal jump into the future, this might just be the tradition for you. Plus, it’s a fun way to share a laugh with friends and family!
5. Making Noise – Finland and Colombia
In both Finland and Colombia, the arrival of the new year is celebrated with noise—loud, raucous noise! In Finland, people will often bang pots and pans to scare away evil spirits and bad luck, ensuring a fresh and prosperous start to the new year. Similarly, in Colombia, it’s common to create noise by setting off fireworks or clanging objects. One particularly unique Colombian tradition involves carrying an empty suitcase around the block at midnight, which is said to bring a year filled with travel and adventure. So, if you’re looking to jet off on an exciting trip in the new year, this quirky custom might be worth a try!
6. Polka Dots and Underwear – Brazil
In Brazil, New Year’s Eve is a time for both celebration and superstition. One of the most fun and fashionable traditions involves wearing white clothing to symbolize peace and good vibes for the year ahead. But there’s an even quirkier twist: wearing colored underwear depending on your New Year’s wish! For example, if you’re hoping for love, wear red underwear. For luck and prosperity, yellow is the color of choice. Many Brazilians also celebrate by jumping over seven waves at the beach, a tradition thought to bring good fortune for each wave you leap over.
7. Eating Lentils – Italy and Brazil
Lentils are considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in both Italy and Brazil, and they’re often eaten on New Year’s Eve. The small, round shape of the lentils is said to represent coins, and eating them on New Year’s Eve is believed to bring financial success in the upcoming year. In Italy, people often prepare lentil-based dishes like cotechino (sausage) and lentils to ensure a prosperous start to the year. In Brazil, it’s common to eat lentils with rice, hoping to attract wealth and abundance for the year ahead.
8. Throwing Old Things Out the Window – Italy
In Italy, the idea of clearing out the old and welcoming in the new extends to your home—and we mean literally! On New Year’s Eve, some Italians throw old items—such as furniture or household goods—out of their windows. This custom symbolizes shedding the old and making space for fresh opportunities in the new year. Of course, it’s important to be careful not to throw anything too valuable or dangerous, but the tradition serves as a reminder that sometimes you need to let go of the past to make room for new beginnings.
9. Kissing at Midnight – United States (and many other countries)
One of the most universally beloved New Year’s traditions is the midnight kiss. Whether you’re in Times Square in New York or at a small gathering with friends, kissing someone at the stroke of midnight is thought to bring good luck and strengthen relationships in the year to come. This sweet tradition is one of the simplest, yet most romantic ways to ring in the new year. Even if you’re not in a romantic relationship, the act of sharing a kiss with a loved one or a close friend is a meaningful way to start the year on a note of connection and warmth.
10. Wearing Fancy Shoes – Greece
In Greece, New Year’s Eve is all about wearing your best shoes. In fact, it’s customary to wear fancy shoes on New Year’s Day to encourage good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. The shoes are often left out overnight to be blessed by St. Basil, whose feast day falls on January 1st. In some parts of Greece, children will also leave their shoes out for St. Basil to fill with treats, much like the tradition of Santa Claus filling stockings in other parts of the world.
Celebrate the New Year with Fun, Tradition, and a Vacation!
No matter where you are in the world, New Year’s Eve is a time for celebrating the past, embracing the future, and having a little fun along the way. From eating grapes to jumping off chairs, every tradition brings its own unique charm and a chance to start the new year with good fortune.
And here’s a New Year’s tradition you can try: Make Arcadian One of Myrtle Beach a part of your New Year’s celebration! Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway to start the year off right or want to make a splash with friends and family in a cozy, oceanfront resort, Arcadian One offers the perfect setting. After all, what better way to ring in the new year than with the sound of waves, the sand beneath your feet, and a cozy, luxurious retreat by your side?
So why not add a little Myrtle Beach magic to your 12-day celebration? Plan your next New Year’s vacation at Arcadian One and make it a tradition you’ll cherish for years to come. Here’s to an exciting and adventurous year ahead—starting with a getaway to remember!