Nochevieja SF

New Year's Eve

NOCHEVIEJA Nochevieja, or New Year's Eve, is one of the most important seasonal celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries. Whereas Nochebuena is traditionally spent at home with the family, Nochevieja is an occasion for going out. In Spain, the highlight of the evening is las campanadas, the chimes of the clock at midnight. Until quite recently the Puerta del Sol clock in Madrid was the most viewed image in live broadcasts ushering in the New Year, but nowadays different TV stations choose different cities when it comes to broadcasting the chimes. As the bells strike it is traditional to eat twelve grapes, one for each chime, a custom known as las uvas de la suerte or las doce uvas.