In Mexico, New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) and New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) are about more than just fireworks and parties. These holidays are deeply rooted in family, community, and a shared sense of hope for what’s to come.
The Mexican New Year is a vibrant mix of indigenous customs and European traditions, creating a celebration that’s both deeply symbolic and a whole lot of fun.
So, if you’re curious about how Mexicans ring in the new year, keep reading! We’ll explore some of the most fascinating and meaningful new year mexican traditions that make this time of year so special.
Popular New Year’s Eve traditions in Mexico: Setting the stage for a prosperous year
Mexicans follow many traditions meant to ensure a happy and prosperous new year. Here are a few:
Eating twelve grapes at midnight: Making wishes for the months ahead
As the clock strikes midnight, many people in Mexico eat twelve grapes, one for each month of the coming year. Each grape represents a specific wish or goal for that particular month. The trick is to eat all twelve grapes as the clock chimes twelve times, so timing is everything!
Wearing colored underwear: Attracting specific types of good fortune
In Mexico, it’s a tradition to wear certain colors of underwear on New Year’s Eve to attract good luck in certain aspects of life. For example, red underwear is worn to attract love, yellow for wealth and success, and white for peace and harmony. There are regional variations and personal takes on the symbolism, so you might see someone wearing green (for health) or orange (for energy and enthusiasm).
Cleaning the house: Removing negative energy and welcoming positivity
Many people in Mexico thoroughly clean their houses on New Year’s Eve to get rid of any negative energy and make room for positive vibes in the coming year. This can involve sweeping, dusting, mopping, and generally decluttering the space. It’s all about renewal and fresh starts!
Symbolic acts for good fortune: Manifesting desires for the New Year
Many Mexican New Year’s traditions are rooted in ancient beliefs about luck and prosperity. Here are a few to consider trying.
Walking with an empty suitcase: Inviting travel opportunities
If you’re hoping to travel in the coming year, you might grab an empty suitcase and walk around your house or neighborhood. The empty suitcase symbolizes your desire for travel and new adventures.
Some people stroll around the block with their suitcase, while others simply leave the suitcase by the front door. It’s said that doing so will guarantee a year filled with exciting trips.
Eating lentils: Ensuring financial prosperity
Want to attract wealth and abundance in the new year? Try eating lentils, which symbolize coins and are believed to bring financial good fortune. You can incorporate lentils into soups, stews, or any dish you like.
Toasting with champagne and a gold ring: Wishing for love and prosperity
At midnight, drop a gold ring into your glass of champagne and drink it. This symbolizes your desire for both love and financial prosperity in the coming year. After you finish your drink, it’s customary to hug everyone in the room.
Food and Festivities: A Culinary Celebration of the New Year
In Mexico, New Year’s Eve is all about getting together with family and friends for a big feast and a big party. Forget those quiet nights in! New Year’s is a time to celebrate with the people you love, and that always includes plenty of delicious food.
You’ll find tables laden with traditional Mexican dishes. Pozole, a hearty stew, is a popular choice. So are tamales, savory pockets of masa steamed in corn husks or banana leaves. Many families serve bacalao, a salted cod dish with tomatoes, olives, and potatoes. For dessert, there are usually buñuelos, crispy fried pastries dusted with sugar, and Ensalada de Noche Buena, a festive fruit salad.
But the feasting doesn’t stop on New Year’s Eve! On New Year’s Day, there’s a tradition called “El Recalentado,” which translates to “the reheating.” It’s a casual, relaxed day where people visit their neighbors, sharing leftover food and continuing the celebrations. It’s a great way to start the year with a sense of community and good cheer (and no cooking!).
Día de Reyes
The holiday celebrations don’t end when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. In Mexico, the Christmas/New Year’s season officially comes to a close on January 6th with Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day.
On this day, families and friends gather to share rosca de reyes, a sweet bread decorated with candied fruit. Hidden inside the bread is a small figurine of the baby Jesus. Whoever finds the figurine is responsible for hosting a tamale party on February 2nd, Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day)! On Día de Reyes, children also traditionally receive gifts, commemorating the gifts the Three Kings brought to the baby Jesus.
Día de Reyes continues the themes of generosity and community that define the entire holiday season in Mexico.
In Summary
As you can see, Mexican New Year’s traditions beautifully showcase the importance of family, community, and heritage. From popping open a bottle of sparkling cider to eating twelve grapes at midnight, the rituals are rich with symbolism, reflecting the hope for a prosperous, happy, and healthy new year.
Whether you choose to participate in all of these customs or just a few, you can celebrate the new year with a renewed sense of optimism and excitement for what’s to come. The traditions remind us that we are connected to something larger than ourselves.
From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy and healthy new year. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!