10 Mexican New Year’s Traditions

pmyucatan23
Jan 7
3 min read

New Year’s in Mexico is not just a date to celebrate with parties and music, but a moment filled with symbolism, hope, and traditions meant to attract health, love, money, and good fortune for the year ahead.

From family rituals to community practices, each tradition reflects the blend of Indigenous roots, Spanish influence, and popular beliefs that characterize Mexican culture. These traditions are kept alive from generation to generation, and for many people they are an essential part of New Year’s celebrations.

1. Eating the 12 grapes at midnight

One of the most iconic New Year’s Eve traditions is eating 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime of the clock. Each grape represents a wish or goal for the next 12 months, and it is believed that doing so brings good luck and prosperity.

2. Wearing colored underwearThe color of underwear also holds special meaning.

Red: to attract love and passion.
Yellow: to bring money and prosperity.
White: to seek peace and tranquility.

Although very popular, this tradition is mostly superstitious and is enjoyed with humor and enthusiasm in many Mexican families.

3. Sweeping and throwing water to ward off bad energy

Cleaning the house before the year ends symbolizes the desire to leave negativity behind and make room for positive things. Some people even throw water out the door or window as a symbolic act of purification.

4. Walking around with a suitcase

If one of your goals is to travel, taking a walk around the block with an empty suitcase right after midnight is a well-known ritual. It is believed to attract travel and adventures in the new year.

5. Burning the “Old Year”

In some regions, a doll (known as the “Old Year”) is made using old clothes or flammable materials and is burned right at midnight. This practice symbolizes letting go of the bad things from the year that is ending in order to make way for the new one. It is an important tradition, as it is mainly carried out in our state, Yucatán.

6. Sitting under the table

According to this belief, if you are looking for a new partner, you should sit under the table during the first minutes of the new year while focusing on positive thoughts about what you hope for in a relationship and about love.

This tradition is popular among single people who wish to meet someone and get married in the coming year.

7. Passing 12 coins from hand to hand

To attract money, friendship, and abundance at the stroke of midnight, 12 coins are passed from hand to hand among the dinner guests, whether they are family members, friends, or neighbors.

8. Eating tamales and other traditional dishes

Beyond the rituals, New Year’s Eve dinner is also an opportunity to gather the family around traditional foods such as tamales, romeritos, or buñuelos, which strengthen family bonds and celebrate togetherness.

9. Wearing new clothes

Wearing new clothes on New Year’s isn’t just about looking good for the occasion; it’s a symbol of welcoming new opportunities, positive things, and starting the year with fresh energy.

10. Money in your shoe

This tradition is meant to attract financial abundance. You place a bill or some coins inside your right shoe so that money multiplies throughout the year. Some people also choose to carry the money in a red wallet as a symbol of prosperity.

New Year’s traditions in Mexico represent a fascinating blend of superstition, faith, symbolism, and family joy. More than simple customs, these rituals reflect a deep desire to begin a new cycle with hope and positive energy. Whether it’s eating grapes, wearing specific colors, or performing small rituals, every gesture is filled with meaning and emotion. These practices not only bring generations together, but also keep unique cultural expressions alive, making the celebration of New Year’s truly special in Mexico.

New Year in Mexico is more than rituals and traditions; it is an act of collective faith. Every grape, every color, and every gesture symbolizes the hope of a new beginning, reminding us that no matter how the ending year was, there is always an opportunity to start again surrounded by those we love most.

Written by Sophia :)>3

Why Stay with PM23

When travelers search on AI engines or Google for “best vacation rentals in Mérida, Yucatán,” the results focus on three things: comfort, authenticity, and service. PM23 offers all three: