Good luck rituals can appear in many forms what you eat, what happens at the stroke of midnight, or even how you spend the first day of the year. Below, you’ll find a mix of classic customs and beloved New Year’s Eve traditions from around the globe to inspire your own celebration.
New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around the World
Travel the world this December 31st through diverse cultural customs and festive rituals. You might even discover new ideas to make your own New Year’s Eve celebration extra meaningful as you welcome another trip around the sun.
1. Eat 12 grapes at midnight (Spain)
Known as Nochevieja in Spain, this tradition also popular in Mexico promises good luck for the coming year. At midnight, people eat las doce uvas de la suerte (12 lucky grapes), each representing one hour of the clock.
2. Bang on pots and pans (Ireland)
To ensure no bad spirits follow you into the new year, the Irish traditionally make plenty of noise at midnight by banging pots and pans to scare away negative energy and misfortune.
3. Serve oysters and Champagne (France)
French New Year’s Eve celebrations, known as Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre, feature a luxurious feast that often includes oysters, foie gras, and Champagne. The oyster tradition is linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, who emerged from the sea on an oyster shell.
4. Welcome dark-haired visitors (Scotland)
During Hogmanay the Scottish term for the last day of the year—families practice “first-footing.” The first person to enter the home after midnight, ideally dark-haired, brings small gifts for good luck. Bonfires are also lit, echoing ancient Viking solstice traditions.
5. Burn away the old year (Italy)
In Bologna, Italy, Il Rogo del Vecchione involves burning an effigy of an old man to symbolize letting go of the past year’s bad luck and making space for fresh beginnings.
6. Wear colored underwear (Mexico)
In Mexico, people choose underwear colors based on their wishes for the new year: red for love, yellow for happiness, green for wealth, and white for peace.
7. Watch fireworks (Australia)
Fireworks are believed to chase away evil spirits in many cultures. In Australia, watching the spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge is a world-famous way to welcome the new year.
8. Jump into the New Year (Denmark)
At midnight, Danes jump off chairs to “leap” into the new year, a tradition thought to bring good luck. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended!
9. Leave doors unlocked (Ireland)
Another Irish custom involves leaving doors unlocked to welcome the spirits of ancestors, along with setting an empty place at the New Year’s Eve table in their honor.
10. Toss a coin into a river (Romania)
Throwing a coin into flowing water is believed to bring luck in Romania. No river nearby? A fountain works just as well.
11. Wear polka dots (Philippines)
In the Philippines, polka dots are worn to attract prosperity, as their round shape resembles coins—symbols of wealth and abundance.
12. Throw plates (Denmark)
Another noisy Danish tradition involves smashing old plates and glasses against friends’ doors to ward off bad luck. The bigger the pile, the better the fortune—just don’t forget gloves for cleanup.
13. Deep clean your home (Japan)
In Japan, December 31st is dedicated to osouji, or deep cleaning. This ritual clears away the old year’s negativity and welcomes Toshigami, the god of the New Year.
14. Wear white clothing (Brazil)
Brazilians traditionally dress in white on New Year’s Eve to attract peace, purity, and good luck for the year ahead.
15. Hang onions (Greece)
In Greece, onions symbols of fertility and rebirth are hung above doors to invite good fortune. Bonus: they’re perfect for a traditional New Year’s Day meal.