As the clock ticks down to the stroke of midnight, communities around the world usher in the New Year with diverse and fascinating traditions. From beach celebrations in Brazil and Chile to icy plunges in Scottish rivers, each region embraces the transition from the old to the new in its own distinctive way.
Brazil and Chile: Coastal Celebrations and Lentil Rituals
In Brazil and Chile, New Year’s Eve takes on a beach-centric vibe. Locals gather on the shores, participating in a unique ritual of jumping seven waves while making seven wishes as the clock strikes twelve. This tradition pays homage to Yemanja, the water goddess, and involves wearing all-white attire symbolizing purity. In Chile, a coastal tradition rooted in Italian customs sees people indulging in lentils at midnight, believed to attract prosperity due to their coin-like shape. After consuming lentils, participants ascend to a higher spot and eat seven forkfuls, aiming to secure financial fortune for the upcoming year.
How to partake: Join the beach festivities at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro or Viña del Mar in Chile, donning white attire to jump seven waves and make seven wishes. Experience a homestay in Chile to partake in the lentil-eating tradition with a local family.
Japan: Hatsuhinode and Soba Noodles New Year Tradition
In the Land of the Rising Sun, the arrival of the New Year is marked by Hatsuhinode, inviting locals and visitors to witness the first sunrise as a symbol of good fortune. Following this, millions visit temples and shrines during the next three days, engaging in the tradition of hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. Another Japanese tradition involves consuming a warm bowl of soba noodles, dating back to the Kamakura period. This practice, rooted in Buddhist compassion, signifies a break from the old year.
How to partake: Witness Hatsuhinode at popular spots like Meiji Shrine in Tokyo or Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. Queue up for a prayer at Tsuruoka Hachimangu in Kamakura and embrace Japanese entertainment by tuning in to “Kohaku Uta Gassen,” a popular music program on New Year’s Eve.
Greece: Podariko and Pomegranate Rituals
In Greece, the New Year tradition of Podariko involves symbolic rituals with pomegranates, considered symbols of luck, prosperity, and fertility. As midnight approaches, homes go dark, and an individual chosen by fate reenters with their right foot, bringing blessings to the family. Another participant smashes a pomegranate against the door, with the abundance of seeds measuring luck and promising greater fortune for the household in the new year.
How to partake: Join community-led celebrations in cities and villages across Greece and witness the unique vasilopita tradition on January 1, cutting a special cake with a hidden trinket for good luck.
New York, USA: Times Square Ball Drop
The heart of New York City, Times Square, becomes a focal point as thousands gather to witness the iconic ball drop at midnight. This tradition, dating back to 1907, sees the colossal ball gracefully descending, marking the exuberant start of the New Year.
How to partake: Attend the iconic Times Square ball drop and then explore the glittering lights of Central Park, take a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, or enjoy a New Year feast at one of the city’s diverse restaurants.