New Year's Eve in Mexico

Ring in the New Year the Mexican Way

Most Mexicans celebrate New Year's Eve by having a late-night dinner with their families. Those who want to party generally go out afterwards. If you're in Mexico, you can still enjoy festivities in the street. In Mexico City there is a huge street festival on New Year's Eve, celebrations center around the Zocalo.

You can expect a lot of firecrackers, fireworks and sparklers. At midnight there is a lot of noise and everyone shouts: "Feliz año nuevo!" People embrace and make noise and set off firecrackers.

Some Mexican New Years superstitions:

Eat twelve grapes as the clock strokes midnight on the 31st, as you eat each grape make a wish for the new year.

Want to have good luck in love in the coming year? Wear red underwear on New Year's Eve. For good luck with money, wear yellow.

Hoping to travel in the New Year? Get out your luggage and take it for a walk around the block.

Traditional foods to eat on New Year's Eve:

Bacalao, dried salted codfish, is a New Year's staple in Mexico. Toasts are made with sparkling cider, and a hot fruit punch known as ponche is also popular.