6 Unusual New Year’s Eve Traditions Around The World

Everyone knows about the famous ball drop in Times Square, New York City on New Year’s Eve. While this is an iconic experience, other countries have varied celebrations to bring in the New Year. As we head toward Christmas, there is only a short time to plan where to be at midnight on December 31, 2022. Why not make a plan to follow different New Year’s traditions every year from now on? Experience the many different traditions in person at one of the following destinations.

Denmark and smashing plates

Where most countries celebrate with the sound of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, people in Denmark make a different sound to ring in the New Year. It seems it is a tradition to throw plates at neighbors’ or friends’ doors to celebrate a new beginning. Apparently, the more broken dishes piled out outside, the more luck will be experienced.

Gobbling 12 grapes in Spain on New Year’s Eve

This tradition was introduced by vineyards in the Alicante area of Spain back in the 1800s. Whether it was started to ensure good sales is unknown. Basically, everyone has 12 grapes in their hands as the clock ticks toward midnight. People then eat one grape for each chime of the clock leading up to midnight. Meanwhile, if you can finish all those grapes timeously, it is said you will have good luck in the New Year. It is recommended to buy seedless grapes and peel them to make them easier to swallow. To make life easier, you can buy a tin of 12 grapes, already prepared for the event.

White flowers on the beach in Brazil

Brazil has a unique and beautiful way to bring in the New Year while paying respects to Yemoja, the Goddess of the sea. On the day, people dress all in white and throw white flowers into the ocean to control the sea and get Yemoja’s blessings. One of the most spectacular locations to do this is Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where the waves glow with the floral display.

Onions on doors in Greece for New Year’s luck

Greece has an unusual tradition to bring good luck in the New Year, by hanging a bunch of onions on the outside of their doors. According to the Greeks, this is symbolic of continuous growth, as an onion’s roots keep on growing.

Chow down in Estonia

One of the best ways to celebrate the coming year is to enjoy delicious food, but Estonia takes this a step further. Here, people eat up to seven, nine, or twelve meals on New Year’s Eve. In fact, those three numbers are considered to be lucky. Not everyone can eat that much food, but no one gets upset if you can’t finish what is on your plate. In fact, some Estonians intentionally leave food for the spirits of departed family members.

Sprinkling salt in Türkiye

Meanwhile, people in Türkiye have a tradition to sprinkle salt on their doorstep as the clock strikes midnight. They believe that doing so brings peace and prosperity to that household all through the year.

Wherever you celebrate this year, have a happy and prosperous New Year 2023!