New Year’s Eve in Javea, or Nochevieja (the old night), is celebrated in different ways. In Europe most people fire up rockets, eat turkey and toast in Champagne. Millions of euros are fired up this evening as a thank you for the old. New Year’s Eve in Spain is a special experience that should be experienced.
The holidays in Javea are a time to enjoy the company of friends and family. In Spain, 31 December is a very special celebration, where the fun and partying go on well into the early hours. If you want to get the year off to a good start, come and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Spain. You will have a great time eating the traditional ‘lucky grapes’ into the small hours!
New Year’s Eve or Nochevieja (old night), as it’s known in Spanish, is a great time to visit Javea, as it is full of celebrations, fiestas, traditions, and superstitions.
Video New Year`s Eve
New Year`s Eve in Javea
As New Year’s Eve approaches, Javea starts to buzz with excitement. The streets are adorned with festive lights, and the air fills with anticipation.
1. Fireworks at Arenal Beach
Arenal Beach, known for its stunning shoreline and lively promenade, becomes the center of New Year’s celebrations. As midnight approaches, locals and tourists alike gather on the beach to watch the spectacular fireworks display. The sky above the Mediterranean lights up with a kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting over the water.
2. Traditional Celebrations in the Old Town
The old town of Javea retains its traditional Spanish charm. Here, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a blend of modern joy and age-old customs. The narrow, winding streets come alive with music, dance, and festive decorations. The local church bells ring at midnight, followed by the tradition of eating twelve grapes – one at each bell toll, symbolizing good luck for each month of the new year.
3. Dining and Feasting
No celebration in Spain is complete without a feast, and Javea’s restaurants and cafes offer special New Year’s Eve menus. Traditional Spanish delicacies like turron (nougat), and cava (Spanish sparkling wine) are in abundance. Seafood, given Javea’s coastal location, is a staple on most menus, with dishes like Paella and Gambas al Ajillo (garlic prawns) being local favorites.
4. Parties and Nightlife
For those looking to party, Javea’s bars and clubs host vibrant New Year’s Eve parties. From themed events to live music and DJs, there’s something for everyone. The Arenal area, in particular, is known for its lively nightlife, where celebrations continue until the early hours of the morning.
5. The First Sunrise of the Year
An increasingly popular tradition in Javea is greeting the first sunrise of the New Year. People gather at spots like Cap de la Nau or the Montgó Massif to witness the first dawn of the year, an experience that combines natural beauty with a sense of new beginnings.
6. Cultural Events and Activities
Around New Year’s Eve, Javea also hosts various cultural events. These include art exhibitions, live music performances, and traditional dances. The town’s cultural blend of Spanish and Valencian influences makes for unique and diverse festivities.
Celebrate New Year`s Eve at home
As well as partying and fireworks, Nochevieja is also a holiday for spending time with family. If you have any Spanish friends, why not ask if you can join them in their family celebrations to experience it in the most traditional way possible? Families usually celebrate by sharing a meal together and watching the countdown and fireworks on TV.
Cava, the Spanish version of champagne, is, of course, the most popular beverage to celebrate with on New Year’s Eve and is usually consumed as a toast after the clock strikes midnight. Some Spaniards put a gold object at the bottom of their glass, such as a piece of jewelry or a coin, to bring them good luck and wealth for the year ahead. The idea is to drink the whole glass of Cava in one go and collect your golden object at the end.
The Twelve Grapes: A Delicious Spanish Tradition to Ring in the New Year
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, a unique tradition unfolds across Spain, one that involves laughter, anticipation, and a handful of grapes. The Twelve Grapes, or “Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte,” is a beloved Spanish custom that combines fun and superstition, marking the transition from the old year to the new. This article delves into the origins, significance, and contemporary practice of this delightful tradition.
Origins of the Tradition The tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight dates back to at least the early 20th century. Its origins are often linked to a grape surplus in the Alicante region in 1909, prompting vineyard owners to come up with a creative way to sell more grapes. They marketed eating grapes at midnight as a way to bring good luck for the upcoming year, and the custom rapidly caught on across Spain.
The Ritual As the final seconds of the year tick away, families and friends gather around their televisions or in public squares like Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to watch the clock tower. With each strike of the bell at midnight, everyone eats a grape, totaling twelve grapes for the twelve chimes. The goal is to finish all grapes by the time the clock stops chiming, a feat that is amusingly challenging and often leads to much laughter and some frantic eating.
Symbolism and Superstition Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. The idea is that by successfully eating all twelve grapes in time, one will ensure a year of prosperity and good fortune. This ritual combines both the fun of the challenge with the hope for a brighter future, encapsulating the spirit of the New Year.
Modern Celebrations Today, the Twelve Grapes have become an integral part of Spain’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. In homes, party hosts often prepare bowls of grapes for guests before midnight. In public celebrations, especially in major squares like Puerta del Sol in Madrid and Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Valencia, people gather with their grapes in hand, ready to partake in the collective experience.
Variations and Adaptations Over the years, the tradition has seen various adaptations. Some choose seedless or peeled grapes for ease, while others stick to the traditional, whole grapes for authenticity. In recent years, canned pre-peeled grapes have become available, catering to the convenience of modern celebrants.
The Twelve Grapes in Popular Culture The Twelve Grapes tradition has also found its way into popular culture, with references in films, television shows, and advertisements. It’s a beloved custom that reflects the humor and warmth of Spanish culture.
New Year’s Eve in Javea is more than just a night of celebration; it’s an experience that encapsulates the town’s spirit of joy, community, and beauty. Whether you’re watching the fireworks at Arenal Beach, dancing in the old town, or witnessing the first sunrise of the year, Javea provides a memorable backdrop to welcome the New Year.