Life In The Costa Blanca - New Year Traditions

People will gather together to ring in the New Year  all over Spain and enjoy celebrating with delicious meals, music, dancing and fireworks.

Celebrate more than Once in the Costa Blanca

Due to the time differences between Spain and other countries it is not unusual to find people celebrating first at mid-night and then again at 01:00 am when the new year is celebrated in the UK and some other countries whose time zone is one hour behind Spain. Another time to celebrate has been adopted by the town of Javea where they also celebrate at mid-day when the other side of the world is welcoming the New Year. This is a great opportunity to include younger children in the party where families gather in the historic centre of the town to enjoy music and dancing and eat twelve segments of orange as the church clock strikes twelve.

The Twelve Grapes househunting luck

New Year’s Evening celebrations or Nochevieja is significant in the whole of Spain and the Costa Blanca loves to begin the party early in the evening. People will gather quite early for a special dinner which might traditionally include a codido which is a hearty stew and be followed by turrón. Restaurants will offer special menus which will often include several courses, wine, cava, grapes and live music providing local communities with a truly festive feel. At midnight it is traditional to eat twelve grapes, one for each stike of the clock and make a wish. Each grape is said to represent a wish for each month of the approaching year. This is not just fun but, also starts the year with a wonderfully positive frame of mind.

Wear Red in Spain

You may have noticed if you’ve spent previous Decembers at your home in the Costa Blanca that many shops and market shops are full of red lingerie prior to New Year or you might receive some as a gift from somebody you’re close to. Indulge yourself with some new red undies to wear on Christmas Eve, a tradition started in the village of La Font de la Figuera, about 90 km west of Javea where the arrival of the New Year is celebrated by stripping down to underwear and running through the streets. Although other towns don’t do this it is considered lucky to  wear red under garments on New Years Eve. Although the precise origin of this is not known it is possible that it started in ancient Roman times when this vibrant and passionate colour became associated with love, fertility and good fortune. It is believed that wearing red as you welcome a new year in will attract positive energy.

Golden Bubbly in the Costa Blanca

Along with eating your twelve grapes most people will toast the arrival of the year with salutations and a glass of Cava with the toast being made for good luck just before midnight, before which the whole glass should be drunk to ensure good fortune in the year to come. Addtionally, to enhance the prospect of both luck and wealthy a gold object will be dropped into the glass of cava prior to drinking and those looking for love may drop a strawberry, cherry or raspberry into theirs. 

Step into a New Year

You will have heard the expressions best foot forward or right foot forward, well this is a good place to start. The first step that you take after midnight on New Year’s Day should be with your right foot, who knows if you follow this tradition and are still searching for a property to buy in the Costa Blanca you may soon find your dream home!!!

Fireworks in Spain

Many towns will organise an extravagant fireworks to welcome the New Year with loud and colourful pyrotechnic displays beginning just after midnight. For those who have animals it is wise to ensure that they are kept indoors at this time and protected from being made too nervous by such events. No matter how long your live in the Costa Blanca some pets will never really get used to the noise these spectacles create but, they are a regular way to celebrate in Spain so do be prepared.

New Year’s Day on the Mediterranean Coast

Many Costa Blanca residents throw caution to the wind and bravely run in to the sea on New Year’s Day. The annual New Year’s Day swim takes place from the Arenal beach at 13:00 and is organised by local ex-pats, it raises thousands of euros for charity each year. This day is mostly spent with family and friends enjoying hearty meals of stews or roasted meats, enjoying good company to start the New Year.

Conclusion

How ever you choose to celebrate your Spanish New Year, Hamiltons of London wish you a very Happy and Prosperous one and remind you that we are always happy to help you if your are hoping to sell or buy a home in the Costa Blanca.