New Year, old tradition

It’s time to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Break out the sparklers, pop the bubbles and… throw yourself off the back of a chair before going to lie in a coffin? Not everywhere around the world rings in the new year in the same way; traditions range from sentimental and spiritual to the truly eccentric, and every culture has its own way of shaking off the previous 12 months while gleaning luck for the next

Add a new entry to your bucket list, and combine greeting 2024 with the excitement of visiting a new destination with these fun and diverse New Year’s Eve customs.  

The Philippines: stay up for Media Noche 

In the Philippines, people gather for Media Noche on New Year’s Eve, a lavish feast which symbolises hopes for a positive year ahead with one type of food prominently displayed: round fruit. Filipinos believe that a round shape represents good fortune – a tradition inherited from Chinese culture. Thorny fruits, like pineapples and durian, are avoided as the spikes symbolise problems or obstacles. Opinions vary on the correct number of fruits for the table, with some saying 12, others 13 or 14 – but as long as they’re round, no one is too worried. 

Italy: throw old items out the window 

A staple ritual at New Year’s Eve celebrations across Italy, throwing old items out of windows at midnight symbolises letting go of useless baggage, both mental and physical, accumulated over the previous year. 

In the past, items thrown from windows could include almost anything; however, today, it is usually something symbolic, like old crockery. If you’re in the streets of Italy for New Year’s Eve, better mind your head…  

Japan: eat soba 

The end of the year is known as Shiwasu in Japan, and on New Year’s Eve, people eat toshikoshi or “year-crossing” soba. The noodles are said to ensure longevity and prosperity, and separate your fortunes from one year to the next. While in Japan, you can also catch the joya no kane bell-ringing, a Buddhist ritual practised in temples throughout the nation, which is believed to cleanse the year gone and herald a fresh start for the new one with 108 strikes of the bell. 

Thailand: lie in an open casket 

Participate in your own funeral at the Wat Takian temple in Bangkok. The temple is famed for its end-of-year coffin tradition, where believers queue to take turns lying in an open casket as part of a symbolic rebirthing for the following year. The ritual is popular with local worshippers and tourists alike, who play dead and are then “reborn” – for a small donation.  

Mexico: take your suitcase out 

If “more travel” is always on your list of New Year’s resolutions, then the Latin American tradition of wheeling your empty suitcases around the house or around the block will be just the ticket. Variations of this custom remain popular in several South and Central American countries, where many believe the longer you push your luggage about, the likelier you are to travel the following year.  

Denmark: jump off furniture 

In Denmark, just before midnight, people stop what they’re doing, climb onto a chair, a sofa, or whatever piece of elevated furniture is at hand, then jump off as a way to guarantee good luck. The first strike after midnight signifies the right moment to leap into the future. Not jumping is said to bring bad luck for the new year ahead. But be careful: people have been known to injure themselves doing this, especially after overindulging during festive celebrations.  

Spain: eat grapes 

In Spain, eating grapes at the stroke of midnight is a long-held tradition to mark the new year. Each grape is said to bring good luck for a month and will also help you achieve any resolutions you might have. Put the wine down for a moment and eat one grape for each strike of the clock past midnight, until you have made it to 12 for good luck and an auspicious (if full-cheeked) start to the new year.

New York: see the ball drop 

If your idea of New Year’s Eve is a big party, head to New York City for the famous Times Square countdown celebrations. Mingle with the throngs at one of the world’s biggest parties as people wait for the famous ball to drop from One Times Square at the stroke of midnight. The spectacle originally started with just some dynamite and a few fireworks in 1904 before the ball was introduced in 1907, and a variation has been dropped every year since.