Every European country has its own unique way of celebrating the new year, with traditions that are both shared and distinct across borders. From Spain’s grape-eating tradition to Italy’s lucky red underwear, Euronews staff members share how they like to see in the new year. Each nation has its own special customs for New Year’s Eve, providing a colorful tapestry of celebrations that symbolize hope, luck, and prosperity for the coming year.
In Portugal, New Year’s Eve is a time for celebrating with loved ones, whether it be with family or friends. The tradition of wearing blue underwear for good luck is a common practice, along with eating 12 raisins at midnight to symbolize the 12 strikes of the clock. This ritual is accompanied by champagne, toasts, and fireworks, as well as making loud noises with pots and pans to ward off negative energies from the past year.
In Ireland, New Year’s Eve is a lively affair filled with food, drink, and good company. Whether people choose to go out or stay in, the night is typically spent enjoying a feast, watching fireworks, and singing “Auld Lang Syne” to mark the transition into the new year. The atmosphere is one of warmth and camaraderie, with a focus on spending time with friends and family.
In France, New Year’s Eve is known as “Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre,” and is marked by a sumptuous dinner with gourmet foods like foie gras, oysters, and champagne. The evening is a time for socializing and enjoying the company of friends, with fireworks displays in larger cities like Paris. Traditional phrases like “Bonne Année” or “Meilleurs Vœux” are exchanged during toasts, with a focus on creating a festive and luxurious atmosphere.
Hungary celebrates New Year’s Eve with festivities, parties, and traditional dishes like salty cakes, roasted pig, and lentil soup. Midnight is marked by listening to the national anthem, clinking glasses of champagne, and watching fireworks light up the sky. Lentils are also eaten on 1 January to bring luck and money, with the belief that avoiding chicken will prevent “scratching away” good luck for the new year.
In Italy, New Year’s Eve is marked by enjoying lentils and cotechino, a pork sausage, at midnight. The tradition of eating lentils dates back to ancient Rome, symbolizing the hope that the beans will turn into coins. Italians also wear red underwear for good fortune in the year ahead, creating a festive and superstitious atmosphere for welcoming the new year.
In Spain, New Year’s Eve, or “Nochevieja,” is celebrated with the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each strike of the clock. This century-old ritual is believed to bring good luck for the coming year, with some Spaniards even eating the grapes while crouching under the table to attract love. Red underwear is worn for that extra touch of luck, followed by watching fireworks, hugging loved ones, and partying until morning. Lentils are also eaten on New Year’s Day for abundance and prosperity.
Greece and Cyprus have their own traditions for New Year’s, such as baking a vasilopita cake with a hidden coin inside for luck. Pomegranates are also hung on doors and smashed at midnight to bring blessings of health and happiness to the family. In Germany, New Year’s Eve, or Silvester, is marked by fireworks and lead casting to predict the future. Classic TV shows and superstitions about hanging laundry add to the unique celebrations in various European countries. Overall, the diverse traditions across Europe reflect a shared desire for luck, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
