Twelve grapes for luck: This is how Spaniards traditionally celebrate New Year's Eve!

Twelve grapes for luck: This is how Spaniards traditionally celebrate New Year's Eve!

The turn of the year is just around the corner, and while many of us are enjoying the anticipation of New Year's Eve, we are also looking at the exciting customs that are observed on this special occasion. A very special custom that is widespread in Spain and beyond is the eating of twelve grapes at midnight. When the bell rings, people eat one grape at a time - one for each month of the coming year. This tradition is associated with luck and prosperity and has its roots in Spanish culture. Watson reports that a particularly large number of people gather in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid to celebrate this ritual together.

The origins of this custom date back to 1894, when it was first mentioned in a Madrid newspaper. But it wasn't until 1909 that the tradition really took off, when Alicante winemakers promoted it to help sell grapes after a surplus harvest. Today the tradition is known far beyond Spain's borders and enjoys great popularity in numerous Spanish-speaking countries as well as in regions closely linked to Spanish culture, such as the Philippines or parts of the Caribbean. There are now even reports that some Hispanic communities in the US have also adopted this tradition. Wikipedia explains that each grape eaten symbolizes a month in the coming year and that the ritual eating is not only a custom, but also a belated New Year's good luck charm.

A healthy custom for a good year

When it comes to choosing grapes, celebrants have the freedom to choose small, seedless grapes, although the color – red or white – doesn't matter. On January 1st, at midnight, things really get down to business: while the bells ring, the participants have a total of 36 seconds to eat all the grapes. A common misconception is that you have to eat one grape per chime, but the ritual is much more flexible. NDR highlights that the custom is no longer only celebrated in Spain, but in many countries with their own variations. For example, eating lentils in Italy or wearing red underwear in many southern countries are also New Year's traditions.

But it's not just the grapes that are part of the festive occasion. Many cultures have different New Year's Eve customs, all aimed at welcoming the new year happily and prosperously. Whether it's celebrating with friends over a lavish feast in Germany or placing lucky charms in Brazil, the variety of customs shows how creatively people are welcoming the New Year.

A trend for singles

An interesting development in the tradition of eating grapes is the ritual of eating the grapes under the table. This variant, which has become particularly popular through social media, aims to bring a little more fun and a dose of happiness to the singles among the partygoers. The idea of ​​eating under the table as the New Year dawns brings joy and cheer to New Year's Eve and further increases anticipation for the year to come.

This year, celebrants will once again have numerous opportunities to properly mark the turn of the year. Regardless of whether it is a long-established tradition or a new custom, the most important thing is to start the new year with joy. And maybe there will be one or two lucky surprises for 2026 among the twelve grapes!