The European nation of Portugal celebrates its New Year on January 1, following the Georgian calendar. It is observed as a nation holiday in Portugal, which gives a reason to everyone to have an extended and passionate New Years Eve celebrations.
Celebrations on New Years Eve in Portugal
On New Years Eve, Portugal is certainly one of the most popular places on the planet to be in. The wild celebrations involved with the festivities of New Years Eve all around Portugal, along with the observance of Portuguese traditions and customs followed on the day, make New Year an interesting and pleasant time for everyone.
All major cities and towns in Portugal organize number of enthralling events, with lots on offer for visitors. Hotels, restaurants, pubs, and clubs also make arrangements for ensuring a special evening for everyone.
People love to have fun and enjoyment at its peak, and thus they move out of their houses to be a part of these community parties. A carnival like atmosphere, great music, great food, and spirited people in company are enough to turn any celebrations into a blistering energy. With that at offer by most of them, almost all party places remain packed houses for New Years Eve.
Some people love to have eccentric celebrations. A cruise ride through the Douro River on New Years Eve offers that unconventional aspect. An all day cruise ride, with the magical view of fireworks at the midnight from the mid sea, do make it an unforgettable and special New Years Eve experience.
As a part of the traditions followed on New Years Eve, the most widely accepted and observed tradition if of eating twelve grapes. Apart from Portugal, this tradition has gained significance and popularity in many other countries. As a part of this tradition, one has to eat twelve grapes within a minute of the arrival of New Year. One should get started as soon as clock rings twelve. Each grape is considered to represent for a month of the coming year, and while eating each one of them, one is required to make a wish. Doing so is believed to fulfill one’s wishes, and confer one with happy and fruitful twelve months ahead in the coming year.
Raising a toast of champagne on the arrival of New Year is another important tradition, followed on New Years Eve in Portugal. There is another tradition of consuming the popular and traditional Portuguese cuisine of Caldo Verde e Broa (or Green Broth and Corn Bread), originated from the province of Minho located in North Portugal. Made up of ingredients such as potatoes, onions, kale, garlic, salt, olive oil, and sausages of chourizo or linguica, Caldo Verde (or green broth) is a light soup, usually taken as a late evening meal, or just before the dinner. Broa or corn bread is taken after midnight.
There are certain Portuguese traditions, which are believed to confer one with certain good luck aspects for the coming year. Some money in wallet or pocket is necessary, as it confers one with wealth and prosperity, wearing something of blue color confers one with harmony and good luck, and first putting the right step down on the ground while stepping down from a chair believes to keep all aspects of life in the positive frame. There is a belief that loud noises sway away all negativities and evil spirits away from life, and therefore, as a belief in it, people beat up pots and pans at midnight to attain so. The midnight fireworks shows as organized by community are another reflection of the faith in the said belief.