New Year rituals from around the world: Which tradition should you try for luck, love or money in 2026?

As the year turns, cultures across the world follow time-honoured New Year rituals rooted in hope, symbolism and fresh beginnings. From food to clothing to simple acts at midnight, these traditions reflect a shared desire for luck, love and prosperity.

Country of origin: Spain and parts of Latin AmericaAt midnight, people eat 12 grapes, one with each chime of the clock. A recent social media trend adds a twist by eating them under a table. Each grape represents a month of good luck, while the under-the-table version is believed to invite true love.

Country of origin: PhilippinesFamilies display exactly 12 round fruits such as oranges, apples and grapes during the New Year meal. The round shape resembles coins and is believed to symbolise financial prosperity and steady wealth throughout the year.

Country of origin: PhilippinesWearing polka-dotted clothes or accessories at midnight is a popular custom. The circular patterns are thought to resemble coins and are believed to attract abundance, stability and good fortune in the year ahead.

Country of origin: Mexico and ColombiaPeople walk around their home or briefly step outside carrying an empty suitcase as the clock strikes midnight. This ritual is believed to manifest travel opportunities, new adventures and a year filled with journeys.

Country of origin: IrelandAn empty plate is placed at the New Year’s Eve dinner table to honour departed loved ones. The gesture symbolises remembrance, respect and the belief that ancestral spirits are welcomed into the home for the new year.

Country of origin: IrelandA loaf of bread is gently banged against walls and doors to drive away bad luck and negative energy. The ritual is also believed to ensure food security and abundance in the coming year.

Country of origin: JapanFamilies eat long buckwheat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve, taking care not to break them. The length of the noodles symbolises longevity, resilience and a long, healthy life.

Country of origin: Italy and parts of Latin AmericaPeople wear new underwear in specific colours at midnight. Red is linked to love, yellow to wealth and white to peace. The colour chosen reflects the wearer’s main intention for the year ahead.

In India, New Year rituals focus on cleansing, renewal and letting go of the past.In cities like Mumbai and Kochi, people burn an effigy known as the “Old Man,” symbolising the previous year’s regrets and hardships. The act represents making space for fresh beginnings.Many households clean rooms thoroughly, light oil lamps or diyas, and burn sambrani or dhoop to purify the space. Some families write worries on bay leaves and burn them, while others break old glass bangles to symbolically release negative energy and welcome positivity.