In celebrating the arrival of the New Year, the most common traditions in the U.S. are watching fireworks and singing Auld Lang Syne. However, more unusual and lesser-known New Year’s traditions exist in America and worldwide. Take, for example, the tradition of placing money in your wallet to ensure a full year of financial success. Then there are other unusual traditions like wearing red underwear for good luck and stepping on the right foot at midnight. The following are 10 of the most remarkable New Year’s traditions worldwide.
New Year’s Traditions
credit: Glyn Bressington/YouTube
Breaking Dishes in Denmark
While it can cause a huge mess, breaking plates is a typical Danish tradition on New Year’s Eve. If you’re unfamiliar with the plate smash, Danish people will throw old dishes at the front door of family members and friends on NYE. First, this tradition is said to remove negative behavior as you enter the New Year. However, it’s also intended to bring good luck and defend Denmark’s homes from evil spirits. If that’s not enough, the more plates you break, the better chance of luck you and your loved ones will have.
Eating 12 Grapes on New Year’s Morning in Spain
As the clock strikes midnight in December, many people in Spain celebrate what’s known as the Twelve Grapes. As you might suspect, each of the twelve grapes represents the 12 months of the New Year. According to this tradition or superstition, if you eat twelve grapes, you’ll have success and good luck for the entire year. This tradition dates to the late 19th century and is popular in Italy, the U.S., and Latin American countries.
Related: Calaveras County Grape Stomp Competition
First Footing in Scotland
In Scotland, the first person to enter a house after midnight is said to be a bringer of good luck for the New Year. A centuries-old tradition that dates back to around the eighth or ninth century, first-footing when Vikings invaded Scotland and Northern England. According to sources, the arrival of a blonde stranger (a Viking) meant terrible luck. Conversely, a dark-haired person can bring good luck. This first footer would bring gifts to you to ensure happiness and success in the New Year. First-footing remains common in Scotland, Northern England, and other European countries.
Making Loud Noises in the Philippines
Banging pots and pans is a popular New Year tradition in many countries, and it’s meant to scare off evil spirits. Among those is the Philippines, where pots, pans, musical instruments, car horns, and more are used. In other words, almost anything you find can make a loud noise. Of course, there are many other Filipino superstitions for New Year’s. For example, jumping high can make you taller, and wearing polka-dot clothing is for good luck. That’s not to mention eating sticky rice like mochi for bonding with family members and 12 round-shaped fruits.
Polar Bear Plunge in Canada
First held in Boston in 1904, the polar bear plunge is now famous worldwide. In case you’re not familiar with the term, it’s an event where brave people will plunge themselves into icy cold ocean water. While several events are worldwide, not all polar plunges occur on New Year’s Day. Instead, there are polar bear events on Christmas and the Winter Solstice in Australia and New Zealand. Either way, there are several polar bear plunges, such as those on Coney Island and many Canadian cities. Among Canada’s biggest polar bear plunges is in Vancouver, where thousands of participants have taken part. While a plunge may not necessarily bring you good luck, you can agree it’s among the most unusual New Year’s traditions.
Related: America’s Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
The Suitcase Stroll in Colombia
In Colombia, you can travel frequently all year if you walk or run around the block with an empty suitcase. Moreover, exercising this way is a great way to kick off the New Year. However, the suitcase walk isn’t the only popular New Year tradition in this South American country. Burning an old doll means eliminating bad events from the previous year. Also known as burning the past, this tradition of burning the old year is also found in other Latin American countries. This includes Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Related: World’s Best Cities to See Neon Lights
Throwing Bread in Ireland
Throwing or banging bread against a wall in Ireland is undoubtedly less costly than smashing dishes for good luck. Furthermore, it’s much less messy than broken dishes or throwing objects out a window. While you might not want to eat stale bread made over the holidays, you’re scaring evil spirits away, according to superstition. In addition to this unusual New Year’s tradition in Ireland, opening doors and windows is at midnight. Not only does this allow the spirits of family members to enter, but opening the back door before midnight and opening the front door is good luck.
Throwing Old Furniture Out the Window in South Africa
Tossing old furniture in South Africa is a way of celebrating the new while eliminating the old. While this may seem unreasonable, this centuries-old tradition represents a fresh start in 2024. It’s not just furniture being thrown out but small appliances like microwaves. Either way, you must be mindful of people on the street when throwing furniture out of a window. Unsurprisingly, this unusual New Year’s Day tradition has spread to Italy and other countries.
Watching the First Sunrise in Japan
In Japan, watching the first sunrise on New Year’s Day represents having good luck, good fortune, and good health in 2024. An ancient tradition that dates to the ninth century, the first sunrise is meant to worship Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and Toshigamisama, the New Year god. In addition to the first sunrise, a few other New Year customs in Japan are said to bring good luck. This includes eating mochi rice for strength and ringing a bell 108 times on New Year’s Eve. Also known as Joya no Kane or the midnight bell, the tradition of ringing the bell 108 times allows you to remove 108 earthly desires.
Wave Jumping in Brazil
In Brazil, an energetic New Year’s Eve tradition is for you to jump over seven waves at midnight. As you jump each wave, you can make a wish for something while throwing flowers into the sea. This act of wave jumping allows you to remove things you don’t want in the New Year. At the same time, wave jumping will strengthen you and help you overcome challenges in 2024. Yet another New Year’s custom in Brazil is wearing white on New Year’s Eve to purify your soul.
Related: Unusual Christmas Trees in America
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.
