10 New Year’s traditions around the world to try this year
Are you looking to adopt a new ritual for your New Year celebration, or wondering about curious traditions? We’ve handpicked the 10 exciting New Year traditions from around the world that welcome fresh energy and good luck.
New Year’s traditions are rooted back in centuries. These traditions are unique in different cultures, from throwing away the old stuff to eating lucky foods or wearing something special. Below, you will find a list of classical traditions to incorporate into this year’s celebration and make it meaningful.
Watch the ball drop
The most popular New Year tradition in the United States is observing the famous Times Square ball drop in New York. This tradition originated in 1907. Since then, thousands of New Yorkers and tourists gather in Times Square every year to wait for the countdown.
The New Year’s Eve at Times Square features celebrities, live performances, and entertainment. Over 1 billion people see the event live in the US and beyond – you can watch the festivities and ball drop online at Times Square’s official website.
Secret Santa is another beloved holiday tradition in the US. People organize gift exchanges at work and with friends – it’s a great way to save money on gifts and add a touch of mystery to gift-giving. You can organize a gift exchange on New Year’s Eve and prepare small presents for your loved ones.
To get started, all participants get together and draw names to decide who gives a present to whom. You can draw names in one click using the MySanta online generator. Here’s how it works:
- Set up the game and invite players via QR code.
- After everyone joins in, draw names to assign Secret Santas.
- Set a budget affordable for every participant (for example, $10).
- Each player writes their gift preferences and adds items to their wishlist to help their Santa choose a perfect present.
- The game organizer can track gift progress and see who has already bought a present and who needs a reminder.
- At the New Year’s Eve party, people unwrap presents and try to guess who their Santa is. A lot of fun and laughter are guaranteed! Try organizing the game and celebrate the joy of giving this year.
Eat 12 grapes
In Spain, there is a tradition of eating 12 grapes as the clock chimes at midnight. It is believed to bring you luck and happiness in the upcoming year. This tradition dates back to 1909 when there was an abundant harvest of grapes and the King promoted the idea of eating grapes at midnight for good luck to avoid wastage.
In this ritual, each grape symbolizes one month of the new year, and eating it in sync with the clock chimes means achieving harmony. Spaniards usually choose green grapes to honor this tradition. However, be careful: consuming 12 grapes this quick isn’t as easy as it sounds!
Smash plates
People in Denmark welcome the New Year by smashing plates and glasses. It means removing the negative energy and attracting good luck.
Another variation of this tradition is throwing the old plates against the doors of their family and friends to wish them good fortune. The more broken glass you find at your doorsteps the next morning, the more popular and luckier you are.
Jump over seven waves
Jumping over seven waves is a beautiful Brazilian tradition. On New Year’s Eve, people wear white and gather on the beach to celebrate Lemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian sea goddess. At midnight, everyone runs into the water to jump over seven waves as the clock chimes. It is a way to thank Lemanjá for all the good things that happened the last year. Celebrants can make one wish as they jump over each wave.
After jumping over seven waves, people don’t turn back to the sea as they go out of the water to attract good luck in the next year.
Make New Year’s resolutions
The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is probably the oldest – it dates 4,000 years back! Historians believe that resolutions originated with civilizations, and the Babylonians were among the first ones. For example, a Babylonian king vowed in public to be a better ruler, and the Romans incorporated vows of renewal that included paying off debts and cleaning homes.
You can include anything in your New Year’s resolutions, from exercising more and living healthier to career and relationship goals. If you struggle to stay true to your New Year’s resolutions, read our guide below for smart goal-setting in the next year.
Carry empty suitcases
If you want to attract more travel and adventure to your life in the new year, try this Colombian tradition. On New Year’s Eve, people take empty suitcases and walk around the block with them. It is believed to bring you good luck and more travel.
Some people run with their empty luggage as fast as they can at midnight! This tradition is also common in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Hang out onions
Hanging bundles of onions on the door is an old Greek tradition. It symbolizes rebirth, attracts good luck, and welcomes the arrival of the new year. In Greece, onions are also a symbol of prosperity and fertility because they flourish even when nobody is paying attention.
On New Year’s Day, parents wake up their kids by subtly tapping them on the head with an onion that was outside.
Burn your wish
In Russia, there is a tradition of making a wish as the clock chimes. At midnight, people write their wish on a small piece of paper, light it on fire, put the ashes into their glass of champagne, and drink it before the last chime of the clock. It is believed that if you do everything on time, your wish will come true in the new year.
If you want to try it this year, ensure that your wish is short and well-formulated so you can write it down in seconds. Have everything you need at hand before midnight, and be sure to follow safety precautions!
Wear red underwear
One of the popular Italian traditions is wearing red underwear on the New Year’s Eve. This tradition dates back to Roman times where red color symbolized fertility. Italians believe that it attracts good luck, love, and prosperity. Some also insist that the underwear must be new to bring prosperity in the coming year.
This tradition is also popular in some Latin American countries. Plus, it’s super easy to start – as you probably dress up for the New Year party, why not put on lucky underwear garments?
Throw out the old
In Italy and South Africa, there is a tradition of throwing away old items. People throw old dishes, appliances, equipment, and furniture out of the window. It symbolizes letting go of the troubles of the last year and welcoming a fresh start as the new year begins.
While this tradition is hard to recreate when you live in an urban area, you can take the old and broken items to the trash to start the new year fresh.
FAQs
How can I incorporate these traditions into my New Year's celebration?
Focus on traditions that resonate with you and are easy to start, for example, wearing brightly colored clothing like in Latin American countries to attract good fortune, breaking pots and pans at midnight to ward off evil spirits as in South American cultures, or enjoying specific foods believed to bring prosperity like grapes in Spain or lentils in Italy.
How do I keep these traditions inclusive when celebrating with people who have various religious beliefs?
Introduce traditions that have a secular aspect and avoid any customs that might be religiously sensitive or offensive. If you want to suggest a new tradition for a group of friends, frame it as a cultural practice and emphasize its historical and symbolic significance. Be open to learning about and respecting the different beliefs of your guests, and encourage them to share their own New Year's customs.
What New Year traditions are easiest to start?
Traditions that don’t require thorough preparation are the easiest to start for your group. For example, you can break the old plates and glasses you no longer use, eat a particular food that symbolizes good luck (such as grapes or pomegranates), or create New Year’s resolutions using a notebook and a pen. These traditions are lighthearted and enjoyable, and are perfect for starting new annual rituals with family and friends.
