Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight on New Year’s Eve

Why People Eat 12 Grapes at Midnight: Spain's Lucky New Year Tradition

Details

In Spain and many Latin American countries, a beloved New Year’s Eve ritual involves eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight—one grape for each chime of the clock. The belief holds that if you can eat all 12 grapes before the final bell tolls, you’ll be rewarded with 12 months of good luck, health, and prosperity.

The act is not just symbolic; it’s a race against time and a test of coordination and preparation. Participants often count down the seconds in unison, each grape swallowed as quickly as possible with each chime. Missing a grape—or choking—may signify misfortune for the corresponding month, turning this cheerful tradition into an exercise in focus and timing.

Historical Context

This grape-eating superstition began in Spain around 1909, though its precise origin is debated:

Surplus marketing theory: Grape growers in Alicante allegedly promoted the practice to offload a bumper harvest.
Cultural parody: Some claim that Madrid locals adopted the custom to mock the aristocracy, who consumed grapes and champagne during lavish New Year banquets.
Folk symbolism: Grapes were already viewed as symbols of abundance in older Spanish traditions, making them an easy fit for new-year symbolism.
Media adoption: Early 20th-century Spanish newspapers reported the growing trend, helping standardize the tradition across the country.

The practice spread quickly to Latin America via colonial and cultural ties, evolving into a widely observed superstition that marks the transition into the new year.

Modern Relevance

Today, the grape tradition is a major part of New Year’s Eve celebrations across Spain and Latin America:

Supermarkets sell pre-packaged grapes with 12 seedless, peeled pieces for convenience and safety.
TV channels synchronize national countdowns with the clock tower in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol.
Travelers and immigrants continue the tradition abroad, often adapting it to their new settings or involving local fruits.
Social media has helped globalize the ritual, leading curious celebrants around the world to adopt the custom for fun or good luck.
Health officials sometimes warn against the choking risk, especially for children and the elderly, leading some families to opt for grape halves or alternative symbols like raisins or candy.

What began as a localized cultural gesture has grown into an internationally recognized tradition—one that blends communal joy, superstition, and symbolic optimism for the year ahead.

Sources

Fernandez, E.C. (2015). Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary. Omnigraphics.
Dusselier, J. (2009). “Understandings of Food as Culture.” Environmental History, 14(2), 331–338.

Quick Facts

Related Superstitions

A baby’s future career or fate is predicted by the first object they select during a ceremonial setup.

In several Asian and Eastern European cultures, a traditional ceremony is held for babies usually around their first birthday. Known

Why Superstitions Persist in Modern Times

Despite widespread access to scientific knowledge and rational frameworks, superstitions continue to influence everyday behavior across cultures and demographics. From