New Year's Eve in Barcelona

A marketing ploy by grape growers following freak weather conditions and a bumper harvest in the early 20th century, "eating of grapes" is now a beloved Nochevieja (Old Night) tradition. When the clock strikes midnight, you must eat one grape per chime, with each grape signifying good luck for the twelve months of the upcoming year. Before this take place, Barcelona locals dressed in bright costumes take to the streets and main plazas, and after the midnight fireworks have exploded, the real party starts in the city's bars, where music, dancing, tapas and sparkling cava wine keep the festivities going until dawn. If you manage to stay awake that long, head to the beach for a breakfast of hot chocolate and churros as the sun rises.

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