Nochevieja

In all Spanish city squares, big and small, one can see a similar scene on New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) and it will undoubtedly include church bells and grapes. When the clock strikes 12, everybody has to have twelve grapes ready to eat while the church bells sound 12 times, and at this moment, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell. Eating the grapes is very funny because everybody starts the New Year with a big mouth full of grapes. It's almost impossible to finish eating the grapes by the time the clock finishes chiming. According to tradition, those who can eat the grapes will have 12 months of prosperity in the New Year. Families and friends stay together for this celebration, which marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. In the case of most Spaniards this means a lively celebration until the wee hours of the morning. This tradition started in Spain in 1909 when there was an abundant grape harvest and the king of Spain decided to give grapes to everybody to eat on New Year's Eve.