As Michael Scott from The Office once said, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” Few things bring out people’s superstitious side like New Year’s Eve. Every year, the date stirs up a potent mix of hope and anxiety as we put on our party outfits (or pajamas) and declare that this year will be different.
We tell ourselves we’ll become the best versions of ourselves—wake up early, drink less, read more. Maybe we’ll really get into Pilates. (Or, as a friend once declared in one of the best resolutions I’ve ever heard: “We will go to more saunas this year.”) Look out, world—here we come.
It’s an exciting and daunting time. So it’s no surprise that around the world, many of us turn to rituals to help bring good fortune in the year ahead. From midnight kisses to black-eyed peas and collard greens, red underwear, pomegranate-smashing, and more, here are 13 New Year’s superstitions from across the globe to consider if you’re looking for a little cosmic boost this year.
Whichever you decide to try (or skip), here’s to a fresh start in 2026!
Midnight Kiss
Rooted in European traditions and popularized in the United States, sharing a kiss when the clock strikes twelve is said to bring good luck in the coming year. It’s one of the best-known New Year’s Eve rituals, thanks in large part to memorable scenes in films like When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Eat 12 Grapes
Las doce uvas de la suerte (“the twelve grapes of luck”) is a Spanish tradition where you eat one grape in sync with each of the twelve chimes of the clock at midnight. The grapes represent each month of the coming year, and eating all twelve is meant to welcome good luck and prosperity.
Michael A. Di Giovine, Ph.D., an anthropology professor at West Chester University who focuses on food heritage and holiday traditions in Mediterranean culture, previously told Vogue that the tradition began in the late 1890s or early 1900s as a way to use up a grape surplus. “There’s also some evidence in late 19th-century newspapers that wealthy people ate grapes on New Year’s at lunch. But most Spaniards say it started in 1909, when merchants from Alicante and Murcia handed out grapes at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to encourage the tradition,” Di Giovine said.
Recently, the grape tradition has gained popularity on TikTok, where people sometimes combine it with other rituals—like wearing red underwear or eating the grapes while crouched under a table. (Be careful if you try this—it can be a choking hazard.)
Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens
If you’re in the southern United States, you might find yourself eating plates of black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day. Popular among Black American families, this tradition promises good luck and prosperity: the greens evoke the color of dollar bills, and the peas symbolize coins. If you’re extra hungry, add cornbread to the table—it’s said to represent gold.
Suitcase Stroll
If you’re dreaming of travel in 2025, grab a suitcase for this ritual. In Central and Latin America, those with wanderlust take a stroll around the block with their luggage or place their suitcases in the middle of a room for others to walk around—a way of inviting good travel in the year ahead.
Break a Pomegranate
Pomegranates are often seen as sacred symbols of fertility and abundance. In Greek culture, smashing a pomegranate after the ball drops is believed to bring good fortune in the coming year. Some versions of the tradition involve getting a pomegranate blessed at church, hanging it on the front door from Christmas until New Year’s, and then on January 1, having everyone take turns smashing it until there are thirteen pieces—one for each month of the year, and anHere are some unique New Year’s traditions from around the world to inspire your celebration.
Open the Windows (Ireland)
An Irish superstition holds that every door and window in the home should be opened as the clock strikes midnight. This symbolizes letting the old year out and welcoming the new one in, and is also seen as a way to welcome the spirits of departed loved ones to join the celebration.
Wear Polka Dots (The Philippines)
To attract financial prosperity, many in the Philippines wear clothing with polka dots on New Year’s Eve. The round shapes of the dots are said to represent coins and good fortune.
First Foot In (Scotland)
In Scotland, the New Year celebration called Hogmanay lasts from December 31st through January 2nd. A key tradition is “first-footing,” where the first person to enter a home after midnight is believed to bring luck for the coming year. This person traditionally brings a small gift like coal (for warmth), shortbread (for food), or whisky (for cheer).
New Year’s Underwear (Latin America & Italy)
In many Latin American countries, people wear colorful new underwear to attract specific qualities for the year ahead: green for wealth, red for love, and blue for health.
In Italy, wearing red on New Year’s Eve is an ancient tradition symbolizing prosperity. A common ritual involves wearing red underwear inside out until midnight, then turning it right-side out or throwing it away to symbolize a fresh start.
Cook Pork and Sauerkraut (Germany)
For a lucky New Year’s meal, try the German tradition of pork and sauerkraut. The pig symbolizes good luck because it roots forward with its snout, representing progress in the year to come.
‘Jump’ Into the New Year (Denmark)
Danes leap into the new year literally—by jumping off a piece of furniture at midnight. This energetic tradition symbolizes jumping into the future. (Sensible shoes are recommended!)
Wear All White (Brazil)
In Brazil, many celebrating the festa de Lemanjá wear all white on New Year’s Eve. At midnight, they go to the beach to honor Lemanjá, the goddess of the seas, by jumping over seven waves, making a wish with each jump.
Toss Out a Bucket of Water (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Uruguay)
To cleanse away the old year and invite good energy, people in these countries throw a bucket of water out of a window at midnight. This act is believed to wash away any bad spirits from the past year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about New Years superstitions from around the world designed to sound like questions a real person would ask
Beginner General Questions
1 What are New Years superstitions and why do people follow them
New Years superstitions are traditional beliefs and rituals practiced around the world to attract good luck prosperity health and ward off bad fortune for the coming year People follow them as a way to feel hopeful and in control as they start a fresh chapter
2 Whats the most common New Years superstition
One of the most widespread is the belief that what you do on New Years Day sets the tone for the year This includes ideas like eating specific lucky foods not doing certain chores or ensuring your first visitor is someone auspicious
3 Why do people eat specific foods on New Years
Many cultures eat foods that symbolize prosperity longevity and good fortune For example round foods like lentils or blackeyed peas resemble coins while long noodles represent a long life
4 Is making a New Years resolution a superstition
Not exactly Resolutions are more about personal goalsetting However the act of making them at the stroke of midnight is tied to the superstitious idea that intentions set at this powerful transitional moment are more likely to succeed
5 Why is there so much focus on noise and fireworks at midnight
This ancient tradition is based on the belief that loud noises scare away evil spirits and negative energy lingering from the old year clearing the path for a fresh positive start
Specific Tradition Questions
6 Whats the deal with wearing specific colors of underwear
In many Latin American countries like Mexico Spain and Brazil the color of your underwear on New Years Eve dictates your wishes Red for love Yellow for money and success White for peace and harmony
7 What is FirstFooting and where is it practiced
FirstFooting is a tradition from Scotland and Northern England Its believed the first person to cross your threshold after midnight brings luck for the year A tall darkhaired man carrying symbolic gifts like coal bread or whiskey is considered the luckiest