If you have ever watched Spain ring in the New Year, you have seen the magic moment when everyone scrambles to eat 12 grapes at midnight. This sweet and slightly chaotic ritual is called las doce uvas de la suerte, and it has a fun blend of folklore, marketing savvy, and pure TV spectacle.
If you are brushing up on basics, review Numbers (A1) and Fruits (A1).
The quick answer
- At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, people in Spain eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock.
- The tradition promises luck for each month of the coming year.
- The most watched countdown happens at the iconic clock in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, broadcast on national TV.
Want the word for plaza, square, and more? See Places in the city (A1).
How the countdown sounds
In Spain, the clock sequence starts with short preliminary chimes called cuartosquarter-hour chimes. Do not eat yet. The 12 big chimes that follow are the campanadasclock bells. That is when you pop one grape per chime.
Where did this tradition come from?
Historians point to two key moments that shaped the custom.
- Late 1800s in Madrid: Newspapers mention people eating grapes with champagne on New Year’s Eve, a habit that likely started among fashionable circles then spread.
- 1909 bumper grape harvest: Growers in southeastern Spain, especially around Alicante and Murcia, had an unusually large harvest. The story goes that they promoted grapes for New Year’s Eve, which helped cement the 12-grape ritual nationwide.
Put together, you get a tradition with both popular roots and clever marketing, which TV later amplified into a nationwide event. If you enjoy the language of ads and campaigns, explore Marketing and advertising (B2).
How to do it like a local
Language tip: Notice the article in las uvas de la suerte; review Noun gender and articles (A1).
- Prep your grapes. Many people peel and deseed them ahead of time for speed. Seedless varieties are popular.
- Tune in to the broadcast from Puerta del SolSun Gate square or head to a local square with a clock.
- Wait through the cuartospre-chimes.
- Eat one grape per chime during the 12 campanadasstrikes of the clock.
- Make a wish with each grape if you like. Some say each wish covers one month.
- Celebrate with a brindistoast and a glass of cavasparkling wine from Catalonia.
Giving friendly New Year instructions? Brush up on affirmative commands (A2).
Pro tip for smooth grape-eating
Choose small grapes. If you use grapes with pepitasseeds, split them in half first. Some families even keep a small can of pre-peeled grapes for the countdown.
Do the 12 grapes really bring luck?
Belief varies by family and region, but the symbolism is simple and charming. Twelve grapes, twelve months, twelve quick moments to start the year with joy, community, and a tiny challenge. Even if luck is not guaranteed, you get a fun story and a shared countdown. When making wishes in Spanish, you will often use the subjunctive—see Subjunctive for wishes (B1).
What do people in Spain traditionally eat during the 12 chimes at midnight on Nochevieja?
Mini Spanish toolkit
Use these phrases while you celebrate. And brush up on basic greetings (A1).
- ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! — Happy New Year
- NocheviejaNew Year’s Eve — The night of December 31
- las campanadasthe 12 chimes — The clock strikes at midnight
- las uvas de la suertethe 12 lucky grapes — The grapes you eat
- medianochemidnight — When the grapes happen
Drag the handle to compare
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Beyond Spain
You will find the grape tradition in many Spanish-speaking places, often brought by Spanish migrants. Countries like Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, and parts of the Caribbean celebrate with 12 grapes too, sometimes with local twists. For cultural reading practice, explore our Spanish stories.
A short timeline
- Late 19th century: Madrid socialites sip champagne and eat grapes on New Year’s Eve.
- Early 20th century: The practice spreads, boosted by a famous 1909 harvest.
- TV era: Live broadcasts from Puerta del Sol turn the ritual into a shared national moment.
- Today: Families prep grapes at home, friends gather in plazas, and millions count together.
Why Puerta del Sol matters
The clock at the Casa de Correos in Puerta del Sol is the star of the night. Its precise rhythm sets the pace for the entire country.
Common variations
- Seedless grapes vs. peeled and deseeded at home.
- Fresh grapes vs. canned peeled grapes for perfect timing.
- One wish per grape vs. a single wish for the whole year.
- After the grapes, many toast with cava and then hit the streets for churros con chocolate.
Ready to try it yourself this year? Grab your grapes, wait for the cuartos, and chomp along with the campanadas. Whether you finish in time or end up laughing with a mouthful of grapes, you will start the year with a truly Spanish story to tell.