Would you like to start every year off with your cheeks stuffed with grapes? Las 12 uvas de la suerte, the 12 grapes of good luck, is how every Spaniard voluntarily chooses to spend the first minute of their year, and here is why you should do the same!
The concept is simple, you each have 12 grapes and as the clock strikes midnight, with each chime you eat a grape, for good luck. Each family does it differently- there is the peeled, seedless grape type of person to ensure an easy experience and there is the ‘stuffing my face like chipmunk with grapes the size of apples’ type of person.
Beware of the false start- the ‘cuartos’ are the chimes that start before and often trick amateurs, so make sure you start on the FIRST chime at midnight. Some people will try and double their luck, as eating grapes under the table is meant to give you good luck in love for the following year.
The tradition dates back to the 1900s, when grape harvesters would have excess grapes and were keen to get rid of their produce before the end of the year.
Whether you are at your local clock tower, Madrid’s Puerta del Sol or just in your living room this wacky tradition is bound to give you some laughs, fun and slightly panicked swallowing.
Have you tried the lucky grapes? If not, definitely try them this year! If you want to watch a demonstration of the grapes watch our latest New Years special as well as if you want to try out some more unusual Spanish New Years traditions. Happy 2026!
