Late December, many tourists flee the gray and dreary weather of northern Europe to escape to the sunny Costa Blanca. Christmas is a typical family celebration in Spain and most restaurants are closed, as celebrations are mainly held indoors and within family circles. However, this changes completely on New Year's Eve, one of the most festive times of the year for Spaniards. Consequently, there are numerous restaurants that serve festive menus for every budget.
Shortly before midnight, Spaniards head out and to gather with family, neighbours and friends in village squares, where a festive and exuberant atmosphere can be found. Most partygoers take their own 'cotillon', bags that can be bought for a few euros in any Spanish supermarket and that are filled with serpentines, party hats and the particularly popular loud horns that the Spanish are so fond of. As midnight approaches, the noise is deafening. The famous lucky grapes or 'uvas de la suerte' are not to be missed either. The Spaniards count the last 12 strikes of the clock, eating a grape each time, symbolizing each month of the new year. They are eaten in a hurry and supposedly bring good luck for the coming year.
Another good luck charm is wearing red underwear, with the color red of course symbolizing love and passion. This superstition is embraced by Spanish women and men alike, and is also the reason why you see a remarkable amount of red underwear displayed in all lingerie stores around the holidays. For the ladies, a red bow on the bra can be enough, as long as it is worn on the left side, next to the heart.
After the grapes are dealt with, both the fireworks and the corks of the many bottles of cava pop. The Spanish bubbly if of course the drink of choice for toasting. Whenever there is something to celebrate, Spaniards simply love fireworks and along the coastline you can see the most beautiful colors colouring the sky. In most villages, a live orchestra will get the party cracking, and later in the evening a DJ takes over, with the party often continuing into the early hours of the New Year.
On January 1, most people head out to enjoy their day off and the winter sun that is invariably present. On many beaches young and old gather for a New Year's dive, to start the new year fully energized. Celebrating New Year's Eve in one of the many Spanish villages on the Costa Blanca is a unique experience that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime.
