Unique Ways to Celebrate New Year Around the World!

Fireworks are almost always associated with New Year’s Eve celebrations. And for good reason, fireworks symbolize the turning of the year and mark a moment many people look forward to. That’s why the tradition of setting off fireworks exactly at midnight can be found in many countries around the world.

However, not every country celebrates the New Year the same way. Some have their own unique and fascinating traditions to welcome the new year. So, which countries are they? Let’s find out more below!

Chile

Unlike many other countries, the people of Chile have a unique New Year tradition: gathering in public cemeteries. This tradition began when one family broke into a cemetery to spend New Year’s Eve with a loved one who had recently passed away. Over time, the local government officially allowed the public to enter cemeteries to celebrate the New Year together with their deceased family members.

Spain

Who doesn’t want good luck in the upcoming year? It seems almost everyone does, right? In Spain, New Year’s Eve comes with a very unique custom believed to bring good fortune. When the clock strikes midnight, locals will eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock, marking the arrival of the new year. This tradition is believed to bring prosperity and good luck throughout the coming year. 

Ecuador

In Ecuador, locals celebrate the New Year by burning scarecrows at midnight. But that’s not all! They also burn photographs taken during the previous year as a symbolic act of letting go of memories and welcoming a fresh start. This tradition is believed to drive away bad luck and attract good fortune in the year ahead.

Also Read: Unique New Year Celebrations in Asian Countries

Argentina

Don’t have a partner yet? Maybe you should try celebrating New Year’s Eve in Argentina. Locals believe that wearing pink underwear on New Year’s Eve brings luck in love in the upcoming year. Not only that, for those wishing for success in their career, eating green beans during the New Year celebrations is also believed to attract prosperity.

Denmark

In Denmark, people have a very unique tradition of welcoming the New Year. Locals collect old, unused plates and throw them at the front doors of their friends’ or relatives’ houses on New Year’s Eve. This tradition symbolizes friendship and good luck. The more broken plates piled in front of someone’s home, the more friends and luck that person is believed to have in the coming year. 

Finland

Curious about what the next year might bring? The people of Finland have a fascinating fortune-telling tradition to find out: they melt small pieces of tin and pour the liquid metal into a bowl of cold water. The shape that forms as the tin hardens is believed to hold meaning. For example, if it resembles a heart, it may signal that marriage is on the horizon. A pig shape symbolizes prosperity, while a ship shape foretells a long journey in the year ahead. 

Also Read: Not Sure Where to Celebrate New Year’s? Head to These Countries!

Besides the countries above, many others celebrate the New Year in their own unique ways, such as: 

• Brazil – throwing white flowers into the sea, 

• Greece – baking a special New Year’s bread with a coin hidden inside,

• Macedonia – celebrating the New Year again on January 14,

• Siberia – diving into a frozen lake while holding a tree branch,

• Estonia – eating seven meals in one day, which is believed to bring abundance,

• Scotland – the first guest to visit a home must bring a gift for the host,

• Finland – serving round-shaped foods, which are believed to symbolize luck.

These are some of the world’s most unique New Year traditions. From all these countries, which one would you like to experience yourself? If there’s a tradition that sparks your curiosity, you can plan a year-end trip to visit these countries! To make sure your trip is safe and worry-free, you can get Online Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia.

Having travel insurance ensures that your journey abroad is protected, so you can enjoy a secure and comfortable journey. So, before you go on your holiday, don’t forget to get insured!