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ODD LANG SYNE

Weird and wonderful New Year’s Eve traditions around the world – from furniture throwing to wild cemetery parties

Published: 10:23, 31 Dec 2020
Updated: 10:47, 31 Dec 2020

BRITS traditionally love nothing more than a few celebratory drinks, an impressive fireworks display and a loud rendition of Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve - at least in normal times.

But in some parts of the world, those traditions are replaced by some very bizarre practices when it comes to ringing in the new year.

This year there won't be the usual New Year fireworks over LondonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Normally thousands of people would gather in London to watch the displayCredit: AFP or licensors

From gathering in cemeteries in Chile for a party with the dead, to South Africans throwing their old furniture out of the window to mark a new start, there are some weird and wonderful ways of celebrating.

And with grape binges, plate-throwing and more, people go all out for December 31.

Of course this year will be very different across the world due to the ongoing pandemic, but some traditions will likely remain. Now, as we prepare to welcome in 2021, we look at other traditions around the world...

Celebrating in graveyards

A cemetery might seem like an unlikely place for a New Year's party, but not in ChileCredit: Alamy

In Chile, some families spend the night in the company of their deceased loved ones by celebrating in the cemetery.

The macabre ritual takes place in the city of Talca, where the graveyard gates are opened for the midnight celebration.

It's thought the tradition began relatively recently but it's already become an annual custom in the region.

Effegies stuffed with firecrackers

Some communities fill effigies, like this one, with firecrackers to ring in the New YearCredit: Alamy

In Panama, New Year's Eve involves stuffing effigies called Muñecos - which are made to resemble politicians and celebrities - with firecrackers then setting them ablaze at midnight.

The dolls are also beaten, in a bid to drive away evil spirits who are 'fearful' of the light and noise.

Out with the old

Authorities in South Africa have repeatedly issued warnings after people have been injured by falling furnitureCredit: Alamy

In South Africa, it has become tradition to throw old furniture out of the window on December 31 in some areas, to mark the start of a new year.

However, the custom in the Hillbrow area of Johannesburg has been cracked down on in recent years, as falling TV sets and fridges were becoming something of a danger.

The hazardous tipping tradition also takes place in Italy — where it's also customary to eat lentils to celebrate the New Year.

Fancy a grape or 12?

The Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes takes place at midnight on December 31 every yearCredit: Getty - Contributor

In Spain, locals eat a grape for each strike of midnight and one for each month of the year.

If you manage to eat all 12 on time then it’s believed you’ll enjoy a year of prosperity.

Pork jelly... but definitely no fish

Pork aspic, which is pork in jelly, is a lucky meal to eat in Hungary for New YearCredit: Getty - Contributor

In Hungary, it is tradition to munch on pork to bring luck in the New Year.

The fatty contents of the meat symbolise wealth and prosperity, while fish is avoided because it is thought to represent luck swimming away.

'Lucky' dishes on New Year's Day include roasted pork, cabbage rolls filled with ground pork, and cold pork aspic — basically, pork jelly.

A smashing way to celebrate

The bigger the pile of broken plates outside your house on New Year's Day, the more you're loved in DenmarkCredit: Alamy

Don’t be surprised to find a load of broken china on your doorstep if you are celebrating New Year in Denmark.

Smashing plates against the front door is thought to bring luck to whoever lives there, so the more smashed plates you wake up to, the luckier your year will be.

Locals even keep their chipped china and broken plates in their home throughout the year, especially to throw on New Year’s Eve.

Danes also believe it's lucky to leap off a chair at the strike of midnight, which symbolises jumping into the New Year.

Oh dough!

Banging bread on the walls is an old tradition in IrelandCredit: Getty - Contributor

The Irish used to bang loaves of bread against the wall when the clock struck midnight.

It was supposed to ward off bad spirits while welcoming good ones into the house.

No crying over spilt... ice cream

It's normally a sure sign of bad luck when you drop an ice cream - but not in SwitzerlandCredit: Getty - Contributor

An even sweeter food-based tradition takes place in Switzerland, where it's customary to drop ice cream on to the floor.

The dessert-dropping is meant to bring peace and good luck in the New Year.

Sweetening the deal

A delicious start to the New Year - this is one tradition we wouldn't mind adoptingCredit: Alamy

Like the Swiss, the French turn to a sugary treat for their New Year celebrations.

But they actually eat the pancakes that are traditional in France on New Year's Eve instead of throwing them on the floor.

Pick your underwear wisely...

Red underwear is worn by singletons across South America looking for love in the New YearCredit: Getty - Contributor

In several South American countries, they believe you decide your fate with the colour of your pants.