Ways to celebrate NY around the world

As we learn more about the various New Years celebrations around the world, we may discover strange cultural twists that seem foreign to us. So let’s take a look at some of the more interesting New Year traditions around the world.

Spain

A challenge in speed-eating, Spain’s New Year’s food tradition requires that people eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve– one for each time the clock chimes. Otherwise, the new year’s superstition suggests that you’ll miss out on extra good luck for the coming year!

South Africa

Some South Africans—particularly those in the neighborhood of Hillbrow in Johannesburg— take cleaning house for the new year to an entirely new level. Throwing old furniture and appliances from the windows of tall buildings somehow helps to make the new year bright.  

China

To symbolize happiness and good luck in the New Year, Chinese celebrants paint their front doors red. In general, red colors New Years Eve in China, with red packets of money for children, red rackets for married couples, and red lanterns.

Vietnam

The Vietnamese wear brand new clothes to bring in the New Year with a fresh start. These clothes are not the modern Western styles that most people wear in their daily life, but rather a traditional outfit called ao dai, featuring a long gown worn with trousers.