The best part about celebrations is that it never has to be the same. If you think the only way to usher in the new year is to party till dawn, you will be surprised at how different celebrations are worldwide. Some of them have gone on to become traditions that are followed yearly with equal fervour. Many tourists plan their travels around this time to experience them first-hand. If you want to celebrate the end of this year and the beginning of the next in a truly unique way, then head to these places.
In Spain, locals follow a tradition introduced by the vine growers in the Alicante area back in the 1800s. Exactly 12 grapes are eaten at midnight, hoping to bring good luck and fortune for the rest of the year.
In Brazil, every New Year's Eve, residents take to the shore to pay respects to Yemoja - the Goddess of the Sea, who controls the sea and gives her blessings. On this day, locals dressed in white throw flowers and candles into the ocean. Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is the perfect spot to witness this traditional practice.
In Greece, it is common to see a bunch of onions hanging outside doors since it is believed to bring good luck for the rest of the year. It is symbolic of continuous growth as an onion's roots keep growing.
While most people hear fireworks on New Year's Eve, it is not uncommon to listen to plates being smashed in Denmark on the same day. It is a traditional practice among the Danish to throw plates at their neighbours' or friends' doors to celebrate a new beginning. Moreover, a giant pile of broken dishes is believed to represent more luck.
The best way to ring in the new year is to gorge on delicious foods, and people in Estonia would agree. Instead, they could also show you how. Eating up to seven, nine or twelve meals in the day is believed to be good luck for the rest of the year as these numbers are considered lucky. In addition, it is not offensive if people cannot complete what's on their plate. People sometimes intentionally leave behind food for the spirits of the departed family members.
As the clock strikes midnight, people in Turkey sprinkle salt on their doorsteps as it is believed that doing so invites prosperity and peace all through the year to that house.