New Year’s Eve, 31st of December, is approaching, a turning point that brings the current year to an end and welcomes the next year. It is a unique moment that brings together a wide range of feelings and memories, after 12 months full of new experiences, which, on most occasions, we share with the people around us, whether family or friends. It also motivates us to wish that next year will be better and that we will be able to face the new challenges that will surely arise in the following months.
In this article, we explain the origin of this celebration, as well as the best plans for you to enjoy this important date in Barcelona and its surroundings, as well as on Costa Dorada. We want to make it easy for you, so we recommend that, if you arrive at Barcelona airport, Barcelona port or Camp de Tarragona AVE train station, you choose Shuttle2Sun‘s private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable.
Origin of the New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a tradition that is deeply rooted in many cultures around the world, although in each one it is celebrated in a different way, but, in most cases, it is always linked to wishes for health, money and love.
The 31st of December is the last day of the Gregorian calendar. Its origin dates back to 46 BC, during the Roman Empire, when the Julian calendar was followed, and the god Janu was honoured in January. This figure was represented with two heads, one looking to the past and the other to the future. For this reason, Romans began to celebrate great banquets and feasts during this month.
Later, in 1582, the Gregorian calendar was implemented in Europe, promoted by Pope Gregory XIII, to correct the inaccuracy of the Julian calendar, establishing New Year’s Eve on 31st of December and 1st of January as New Year’s Day.
In contrast, in the Chinese calendar, New Year’s Day is celebrated in February, known as Spring Festival, which is also celebrated in other East and Southeast Asian countries.
What is New Year’s Eve?
Nowadays, the Gregorian calendar and its traditions are maintained. In the case of Spain, people eat 12 grapes at the same time as the last 12 seconds of the clock strike midnight, the moment when the current year ends and the new year begins. Afterwards, a toast with champagne and family and friends are congratulated on the New Year with hugs and tokens of affection.
Some of the superstitions that can be found in the Spanish tradition is the use of red underwear during that night, as a wish of love for the coming year; as well as the toast with a gold ring or wedding ring inside the glass, as a symbol of stability in the couple.
But Spain is not the only country with its own customs. For example, in the case of Italy, people eat lentils for dinner; in the United States, you must kiss someone at midnight; in Japan, up to 108 chimes are rung; in Chile, the whole house is swept during the night; and in Brazil, New Year’s Eve is celebrated dressed in white clothes; among many other traditions.
Discover all the customs of Spain, celebrating New Year’s Eve in Barcelona and Costa Dorada. With Shuttle2Sun‘s private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, you can move to your destination, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Official New Year’s Eve party in Barcelona
Since 2013, Barcelona has been celebrating New Year’s Eve in a very special way. It is an incredible show of lights, water and pyrotechnics in Plaça de Carles Buïgas, next to the Montjuïc fountain. This year 2023, the show will start at 9:30pm, with the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, but it won’t be until 11:45pm that the real New Year’s Eve show will begin, with scenic arts and fireworks. During the last seconds of the year, you can eat the 12 grapes to the rhythm of the chimes, followed by a pyrotechnic show.
But this is not the end of the night. Next, we suggest that you go to the trendiest clubs and bars to continue enjoying the early hours of the morning. Some of them are Razzmatazz, Apolo, Moog Club and Pacha Barcelona, among many others.
To make your trip more comfortable, we recommend some accommodation in the centre of Barcelona, such as Catalonia Sagrada Familia hotel, near Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes; Hotel Barcelona Universal, on Avinguda del Paral·lel; and Hotel Porta Fira, in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
Great plans on Costa Dorada
As for the towns on Costa Dorada, it is worth remembering that the town councils have prepared marquees and venues for holding magnificent New Year’s Eve parties, for example in Salou, Vila-seca La Pineda, Cambrils, Reus and Tarragona.
In addition, many hotels and restaurants organise New Year’s Eve dinners, with exquisite and unique menus for this special night. To continue with the celebration, nightclubs also organise parties to welcome the New Year.
If you want to do something different this 31st of December, we suggest you enjoy the last sunset of the year, with unbeatable views of Costa Dorada coastline. Choose your favourite spot on the coast and let yourself fall in love with the colours of the clouds, bathed in the last rays of sunlight.
Don’t think twice and enjoy New Year’s Eve in Barcelona and Costa Dorada! Remember that you have at your disposal the private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, of Shuttle2Sun, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
