Eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve
The Spanish tradition of 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve
A tasty tradition
Did you know that Spain celebrates New Year’s Eve with a century-old tradition called Las doce uvas de la suerte – the twelve grapes of luck? According to historians, the custom started in Madrid and Alicante and is now celebrated across Latin America as well. Each grape symbolizes one month of prosperity. But how did this unique ritual begin?
The history of the 12 grapes
The tradition dates back to Madrid in the 1880s. The Spanish aristocracy withdrew from public festivities in December and celebrated the holidays privately – with champagne and grapes, inspired by French high society. This caused frustration among ordinary citizens, as the usual street celebrations during La Noche de Reyes were cancelled.
As a playful protest, people gathered at the clock tower in Puerta del Sol on New Year’s Eve and ate a grape with each chime of the clock. Grapes were cheap and easy to get at the time. What began as a spontaneous act soon grew into a tradition that would conquer the entire country.
Alicante and the grapes of luck
In 1909, the tradition took on a commercial touch. Grape growers in Alicante had a surplus of white Aledo grapes that year and decided to sell them in packs of twelve, branded as uvas de la suerte – lucky grapes. Each grape represented one month of the new year. This clever idea turned the old protest in Madrid into a joyful custom that has since become a beloved national tradition.
How does it work?
On New Year’s Eve, nearly every Spanish household and restaurant has twelve grapes prepared per person. The challenge is to eat one grape at each of the twelve final chimes of the clock – the last twelve seconds before midnight. If you manage to eat them all on time, a year of luck and prosperity awaits.
👉 Practical tip: choose seedless grapes or remove the seeds beforehand. Many supermarkets even sell ready-to-eat “New Year’s grapes,” pre-packaged especially for the tradition.
Red underwear for extra luck
Besides the 12 grapes, there’s another remarkable Spanish New Year’s Eve custom: wearing red underwear. According to popular belief, it brings love and good fortune in the year ahead. In the final weeks of December, shops are filled with red lingerie and boxer shorts, often sold as lucky charms.
Legend has it that the red underwear should actually be a gift from someone else for the magic to truly work. Many Spaniards combine both rituals: twelve grapes for a year full of luck, and red underwear for an extra spark of passion.
New Year’s Eve traditions around the world
Spain is not the only country with unique food-related rituals:
- In Greece, they bake a cake (Vasilopita) with a coin inside. Whoever finds the coin is destined for good luck.
- In Italy, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve is believed to bring prosperity.
- In Latin America, the Spanish grape tradition is just as popular as in Spain itself.
All over the world, food and good fortune go hand in hand with the start of a new year.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Spain
Many Spaniards welcome the new year with an extensive dinner in a restaurant. Often, there is live music, and people dance well into the night. Of course, the twelve grapes make their appearance at midnight, when everyone joins in the countdown together.
In Moraira and Benissa, New Year’s Eve is a festive event as well. Restaurants prepare special menus, and on January 1st there’s even a traditional New Year’s swim. With the sea temperature around 18 degrees in January, it’s a refreshing way to start the year under the Spanish sun.
👉 Curious about experiencing New Year’s Eve at the Costa Blanca yourself? At Moraira Holiday Homes you’ll find comfortable villas and apartments, the perfect setting to celebrate this tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 12 Grapes on New Year´s Eve
What is Doce uvas de la suerte?
On New Year’s Eve, Spaniards eat one grape for each of the twelve last chimes of the clock. Each grape stands for a month of good luck.
Where did the tradition originate?
It began in Madrid in 1880 as a protest. In 1909, grape growers in Alicante gave it a magical twist by selling the famous Aledo grapes in packs of twelve.
Where in Spain do people eat the 12 grapes?
Everywhere! Families celebrate at home, but restaurants also serve them. In Moraira and other towns on the Costa Blanca, grapes are set out at every New Year’s Eve menu.
