The Tradition of Eating 12 Grapes at New Years

Who Knew?

In Spain, there's a fun and exciting tradition that takes place every year to ring in the New Year. It's called "Las Uvas de la Suerte," which means "The Grapes of Luck." The tradition involves eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, one for each bell chime as the clock strikes twelve. Each grape is eaten at a different chime, and the goal is to eat all twelve before the final bell rings. It's believed that eating the grapes will bring good luck for each month of the upcoming year!

12 Grapes to Welcome in the New Year

The tradition of eating grapes on New Year's Eve dates back to the early 20th century in Spain. It's said to have started in Madrid when grape growers wanted to find a way to use up an abundance of grapes. Over time, the tradition caught on, and now people all over Spain—and even in other countries—celebrate by eating the grapes to welcome the New Year. It's not only a fun tradition, but it's also a way for people to come together and celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another.

The challenge of eating the grapes during the chimes can be tricky because the grapes are often big, and it's hard to keep up with the ringing of the bells! But that's part of the fun. If you manage to eat all twelve grapes in time, it's said to bring you good luck and happiness for the year ahead. People gather with family and friends to celebrate this moment, and it's a time of excitement, laughter, and hope for the future.

Even though the tradition began in Spain, it has spread to other parts of the world. In places like Latin America, many people now follow the tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve. It’s a festive, happy way to start the year, and it’s something that people of all ages can enjoy. So, the next time you're celebrating New Year's, maybe you’ll give the tradition a try and see if the 12 grapes bring you a year full of good luck!