New Year's traditions in Spain from grapes to red underwear

New Year's Eve in Spain is usually a family occasion, with food, late nights and a few long-standing traditions

If you head out for an evening meal or a drink on New Year's Eve, you may be disappointed, as much of Spain will feel like a ghost town. Restaurants, shops and businesses usually close after lunch, with most people staying home to celebrate with their families. The evening is all about spending time together, enjoying a long meal, and getting ready for the countdown to midnight. 

To enjoy New Year's Eve in Spain, it helps to adapt your timetable to the Spanish way of doing things. Have a biggish lunch, since dinner will likely be very late (although the aperitivo will start earlier and is usually pretty impressive), and make sure to fit in a siesta so you're ready to party the night away.

Spain's New Year traditions

New Year's Eve in Spain is full of little traditions that make the night feel a little bit different. The most famous tradition, of course, is eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight. One grape for each bell, and you have to get them all down before the final chime. It sounds simple, but it's surprisingly difficult, especially if you're trying not to laugh! For young children, they prepare 12 Smarties or Lacositos instead.

Another little tradition that is not as well-known as the twelve grapes is red underwear. Have you ever noticed all the red underwear that fills the shops around Christmas and New Year? This is not just about being romantic. Spanish people, men and women, wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve as it is said to bring good fortune for the year ahead.

At midnight, many people gather at home with family or at the main square of the city or town they are in. The most famous being Puerta del Sol in Madrid. All the Spanish TV stations set up here to ring in the New Year. If you celebrate at home, this will be on in the background, ready for midnight. At midnight, they usually toast with cava rather than champagne in Spain.

After ringing in the New Year, most bars and clubs open back up. Local councils may organise events or concerts, but either way most people party the night away.

It’s also worth noting that many towns put on a mini New Year celebration at noon for children. These are usually held in the main square and include music, a bit of entertainment, and a child-friendly countdown. Instead of grapes, the bells are marked with sweets, and children are given cotillón, which is a bag with things like party hats, blowers and confetti, so they can join in without having to stay up late.

New Year’s Day itself tends to be quieter. It’s usually a time to sleep in, have a relaxed lunch with family and take a walk. Across Spain, some coastal areas have New Year swims on January 1. They tend to be organised by local organisations and charities to raise money. People dress up and dive into the cold water for a good cause. 

New Year can often feel like a time of reflection, but in Spain, it's more about looking forward. They don’t tend to look back. New Year in Spain is all about creating good luck for the year ahead.

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