Nochevieja - Spanish

Hello! I am Nochevieja. My name is in Spanish, and it means 'Old Night.' I am called Old Night because I am the very last night of the whole year. I happen on December 31st. People in the country of Spain celebrate me. It is a time for everyone to say goodbye to the year that is ending. It is like telling the old year, 'Thank you and goodbye!' Everyone gets ready to say hello to a brand new year that is just about to start.

Families and friends love to be together to celebrate me. They gather for a big, delicious dinner. The table is full of yummy food. People often wear special party clothes. They might wear a sparkly dress or a nice shirt. It is a very happy party. After dinner, no one goes to sleep! Everyone stays up late, even past their bedtime. They are all waiting for a very important moment. They watch the clock as its hands get closer and closer to midnight.

I have a very special tradition that is a lot of fun. When the clock finally begins to strike midnight, it’s time for my tradition! The clock's bell will chime twelve times. Dong... dong... dong! For each and every chime, people eat one grape. They try to eat all twelve grapes before the chimes are finished. These are called 'the lucky grapes.' People believe that eating these twelve grapes will bring them a very happy and lucky new year. It is a sweet and tasty way to begin the new year.