In Spain, New Year is observed on the first date of the Georgian calendar. New Years Eve, ithe major day of celebrations, is also referred as ‘Nochevieja’.



New Years Eve in Spain is more of a family affair. No one prefers to go out before midnight, till the time all traditions and traditional celebrations are concluded appropriately. Once, they are over, one can see the emerging crowd over the streets, and in the community parties organized in clubs and bars. However, during the time of New Years Eve, most of the discotheques, night clubs, pubs, and even markets get closed. Nothing seems to be in action at around and after half past eight.

Those which remain open, organize special night celebrations, which usually last till the dawn of the next day. All these celebration parties are well set with their arrangements of great music, dance, dining, and wholesome entertainment. In past some time, such kinds of celebrations have grown in popularity, more so among the people of young age. With an increased number of people gaining preference for it, it is difficult for one to get an entry in any of such party places without any prior reservations.

Madrid, the capital and the largest city of Spain, is also credited as the best host of the New Years Eve celebrations for the evening. Thousands of people gather in the main square of Puerta del Sol in Madrid, to witness the best of the community celebrations of Spain. At the stroke of midnight, the sight of thousands of people eating grapes in concord with the ring of each bell does make one feel a part of a magical time. The further magical and spectacular show of fireworks filling the skies seemed to be put to action directly from heavens.

Puerta del Reloj is another prominent place for the evening. This ‘open to all’ festivity invites thousands and more to be a part of the grand affair. Council distributes hats, streamers, balloons, and the very important twelve grapes for free to everyone present there, to have a united and grand welcome to the New Year. Fireworks shoot off, as soon as the countdown to New Year ends.

New Years Eve is also a time to abide by the traditions and customs associated with the occasion. As far as that goes, people can remain pleasantly engaged in fulfilling traditions only, all through the New Years Eve as they are plenty in numbers.

People usually stay back to their homes, along with their family members till the moment of the arrival of New Year occurs. At the stroke of twelve, there is a tradition of eating twelve grapes. It is a prominent and highly popular tradition, which is followed in many other countries, though with different beliefs and in different ways. In Spain, one has to eat one grape with each ring of the bell, and thus, has to complete one’s share of twelve grapes by the time the clock rings the last bell. Usually, people in Spain listen to the rings of the bell from the live telecast of the clock of Puerta del Sol in Madrid.

There is another tradition of wearing red underwear on New Years Eve, and that too must not be bought by you, but should be gifted or given by someone else. Wearing red colored underwear is believed to confer one with good luck in the coming year. New Years Eve is considered to get traditionally concluded with a visit to the Chocolateria San Gines, with a purpose to serve delicious chocolate con churros to the hunger twinges.

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