The last night of the year is a magical moment in many cultures. In different countries there are curious traditions for the last minutes of the year: the Italians throw old objects out of the window, the Brazilians of Copacabana honor the goddess of the sea, the Danes throw the crockery on the floor… And what do the Spaniards do? Spaniards eat 12 grapes (fresh ones) following the rhythm of the chimes.
This centuries-old tradition has traveled far, and today the 12 grapes are also eaten in Latin American countries.
The 12 grapes in Spain: do they really bring good luck?
At 12 o’clock on the night of December 31 to January 1, 12 grapes are eaten, or rather, swallowed to the rhythm of the 12 chimes (in 36 seconds). These grapes are also known as the 12 grapes of good luck.
According to tradition, if you manage to eat the 12 grapes following the rhythm of the chimes, you will have a prosperous year. It is said that these 12 grapes (1 per chime), represent the 12 months of the year. For each grape you get to eat, you will have a lucky month in the coming year. It is also believed that if you meet the challenge, you can make a wish for the new year, as long as you are able to vocalize with so many grapes in your mouth!
Once the clock strikes 12:00 midnight and you manage to finish the grapes, the entrance of the next year is celebrated with a unison shout: Happy New Year! It is usually the most emotional moment of the night as memories of the whole year come to the surface, both sad and happy, and families merge in a big hug while the Mecano song “Un año más” (One more year) is played.
Madrid, the Puerta del Sol and the emblematic clock
El lugar más simbólico para tomarselas 12 uvas es en la puerta del Sol de Madrid, donde se encuentra el Reloj de la Casa de Correos. Este reloj es el que marca el ritmo de las 12 campanadas, y en cada campanada tienes que comerte una uva.
The chimes are also broadcasted by almost all Spanish channels where you can follow the event with your favorite presenters, each family has their own.
Where does the tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve come from?
There are different explanations for this tradition. The best known goes back to 1909, when Spain had a very good grape harvest. The producers decided to take advantage of the occasion and began to sell “good luck grapes” packaged in bags.
Although this explanation is the most widespread, it is not widely accepted and may simply be a local legend that popularized and publicized an existing custom.
However, newspapers in 1982 already mentioned this custom: it was said that the upper class of Madrid during New Year’s Eve used to eat grapes and drink champagne at the Puerta del Sol. Among the archives of the National Library of Spain you can find the newspaper “El Siglo Futuro” of January 2, 1984 where the article dedicated to this event was published.
It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that the tradition spread to other areas. Moreover, it coincided with a surplus of grape production in the Levante area. Since then this custom was sponsored and the result is that centuries later we continue to celebrate this tradition.
Ending the party on a high note
Of course, this is the general tradition. But each family creates its own customs, such as substituting the grapes for tangerine segments or even some kind of candy like Lacasitos. There are families in which even the only goal is to have a good time and end up throwing grapes at each other to distract them from the main challenge.
After a long night of partying, there’s nothing better than a good chocolate with churros to ease the hangover in the early hours of the morning. The last tradition before going to bed is to go to a churrería to start the new year on the right foot. And the truth is, there is nothing better in the middle of winter to warm up than some good churros with hot chocolate.
You already have all the information you need for this New Year’s Eve, are you able to eat 12 grapes in 36 seconds? Go for the challenge and learn more about Christmas traditions in Spain!
According to tradition, if you manage to eat the 12 grapes
12 grapes
The Twelve Grapes (Sp. las doce uvas de la suerte, "the twelve grapes of luck") is a Spanish tradition that consists of eating a grape with each of the twelve clock bell strikes at midnight of 31 December to welcome the New Year. Each grape and clock bell strike represents each of the coming twelve months.
following the rhythm of the chimes, you will have a prosperous year. It is said that these 12 grapes (1 per chime), represent the 12 months of the year. For each grape you get to eat, you will have a lucky month in the coming year.
The Twelve Grapes (Sp. las doce uvas de la suerte, "the twelve grapes of luck") is a Spanish tradition that consists of eating a grape with each of the twelve clock bell strikes at midnight of 31 December to welcome the New Year. Each grape and clock bell strike represents each of the coming twelve months.
Originating in Spain, the tradition of eating grapes at the stroke of midnight is believed to welcome good fortune and prosperity in the new year. It's known as "Las doce uvas de la suerte," or "The twelve grapes of luck,” and each of the 12 grapes represents a month of the new year.
Would you like to know how we see in the New Year in Spain? Eating twelve grapes. Tradition has it that you have to eat them one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on 31 December.
New Year's Eve in Spain is know as Noche Vieja (Old Night). It is a custom to stay at home till midnight and at midnight people eat doce uvas (twelve grapes), one at each stroke of the clock. This is supposed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness in el Año Nuevo (the New Year).
Eating one grape with each stroke of the midnight clock, symbolising the 12 months of the year, became a quirky way to usher in prosperity. Each grape is supposed to represent one month of the upcoming year, and as you eat each grape, you make a wish or set an intention for the corresponding month.
Eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight comes from Spain. While most participants expected it to help them find love in the new year, the 12 grapes are supposed to bring you luck. However, if you don't finish all 12 grapes before the bells finish chiming you might not be granted the good fortune.
(Each grape represents an upcoming month.) If you fail to conscientiously finish your grapes by the time the clock stops chiming, you'll face misfortune in the new year. Superstitions tend to be specific, and uvas de la suerte is no different.
Can eating grapes at night help with weight loss? You can include grapes at any time of day for the same benefits towards weight loss, whether they are with your meal or for an evening snack. If you struggle with blood sugar management, consider adding protein with your grapes in the evening, such as cheese or nuts.
You must eat the twelve grapes starting at the first stroke of midnight on Nochevieja (“Old Night,” New Year's Eve) as one-year changes to another. And you have to keep eating: with each toll of midnight, you must eat another grape, giving you about twelve seconds to consume all of them.
In Italy, it is said that eating twelve grapes at midnight – one for each month of the year – will help bring luck and wealth. An old adage says: “Chi mangia l'uva per Capodanno conta i quattrini tutto l'anno,” which translates to “he who eats grapes for New Year counts money all year round.”
The belief is that eating 12 grapes one for each stroke of the clock brings good luck and prosperity for each month of the coming year. The tradition itself does not typically involve being under a table specifically. The emphasis is on the act of consuming the grapes at the exact moment when the new year begins.
January 6th is special for children in Spain as they receive gifts from the Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes Magos), akin to the Santa Claus tradition. Children often go to bed early the night before in anticipation of these gifts.
What will you be doing this New Year's Eve? 🍇In Spain, they eat exactly 12 grapes at each strike of midnight for good luck. Each grape represents one month of 2024. In some cultures they think you eat the grapes under the table at the stroke of midnight for the best luck.
Most Latinos want to have money or coins (some insist on silver) in hand, in their pockets or inside their shoes, as the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve. Putting money in your shoe and pockets, or holding money in your hand when the clock strikes midnight is believed to bring you good fortune and prosperity.
Tempranillo - National Grapes of Spain. The Tempranillo grape makes the best wines of Spain. Every region in Spain that grows it has its own name for it, usually referring to the color “tinta” meaning red.
But Colombian celebrations have an added twist—the New Year's tradition is to eat one grape, every time the clock chimes. You have to down 12 grapes in 12 seconds, so make sure you're ready. And after you eat a grape, you make a wish.
Why should you eat grapes under the table on New Year's Eve? While eating grapes at midnight is said to bring luck for the next year, doing this under the table has another meaning. It is thought that it will bring people luck in their love life the following year.
Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has over 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) planted in wine grapes, making it the most widely planted wine-producing nation, but the second largest producer of wine in the world, behind Italy and ahead of France and the United States.
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