In our last post, we explained how Mexicans celebrate Christmas and the similarities/differences between Mexico and the U.S. in this regard. What about New Year’s? How do Mexicans celebrate New Year’s? Is it any different from Christmas?

Today we will go over what Mexicans do on that day. Who do they spend it with? What do they do? What do they eat? Do they do anything special? Is it as important as Christmas?

If you’re curious about this and would like to find out if it’s a good time to visit, then continue reading through the end. We will try to answer the most common questions you might have. Let’s get started!

Is It An Important Celebration?

A hand holding a sparkler.

For starters, it’s important to indicate that New Year’s is a big deal in Mexico. Unlike the U.S., New Year’s is just as important. However, the focus of the celebration is different. Whereas Christmas is mostly an occasion for families to get together, New Year’s is usually celebrated among friends.

Many Mexicans get together with their friends that night. Some young people spend a couple of hours with their families and then head out to see their friends.

New Year’s Eve is not an official holiday. Some companies allow their employees to leave early, though. Others give their employees the day off, but that is more common among office employees.

Almost everything is closed on New Year’s Day. Many people get up late that day. Of course, there are exceptions, but generally speaking, this is what happens in Mexico.

What Do They Eat?

 

 
 
 
 
 
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This varies widely. Some people prefer traditional Mexican dishes like tamales and pozole. Yes, you can never go wrong with those. Mexicans eat them on special occasions, and what is New Year’s? A special occasion!

Turkey is another option. In fact, the only two occasions where Mexicans eat it are Christmas and New Year’s. Other than that, they’re not something we eat often.

Finally, we could divide Mexico into two regions when it comes to New Year’s dinner: the north and the south. In the north, carne asada (grilled beef, usually steak or sirloin) is king. We love our steak with sausages, baked potatoes, guacamole, charro beans, tostadas, quesadillas, you name it.

On the contrary, in the south, carne asada is not as common. Mexicans in those regions prefer dishes with pork or fish, especially codfish. Romeritos are also very common. They’re a kind of seepweed that is boiled and served in a mole sauce with potatoes, nopales, and shrimp.

For drinks, most people buy beer and/or cider. Some people get champagne, but it’s not as common. Oh, and don’t forget ponche! It’s a hot drink made from a mix of fruits like apples, pears, oranges, tejocotes (a kind of hawthorn), and guavas along with hibiscus tea, tamarind, cinnamon, and sugar cane.

Regarding dessert, they’re basically the same ones from Christmas: apple salad, buñuelos, cake, etc. We love a good dinner!

What Do They Do?

Several people clinking their glasses.

Music is a must in any Mexican New Year’s celebration. Mexicans love to sing and dance. Karaoke machines are very popular in Mexico, and many people rent them for that day.

Fireworks are very common, too. Around these dates, you can find them at ferias del cohete where you can buy all kinds of fireworks that make different sounds and emit lights of different colors.

No Mexican party is complete without a piñata. Young and old love to break them and get as much candy as they can.

Many people also buy photo props and decorate their homes to take lots of cool photos. It’s always good to have memories, isn’t it?

There are many fun rituals that Mexicans perform, but we will talk about them in a bit.

Many hotels, restaurants, and clubs organize dinner dances for those who prefer not to worry about anything that day. Besides eating and dancing, you might also enjoy some live comedy, but this depends on the venue. If you go to a hotel, a room is usually included in your package so you don’t have to worry about getting a taxi after midnight.

Whether you celebrate at home or somewhere else, be prepared for a long night. Most Mexicans like to party hard. They don’t go to bed until 3 or 4 a.m. Some of them don’t sleep at all! That’s why everything is so quiet the following morning.

New Year’s Rituals

Okay, let’s get into New Year’s rituals now. Many Mexicans are superstitious and follow some rituals to attract love or money. Below is a list of common rituals:

Wearing red/yellow underwear. If you want to attract love, you have to wear red underwear. However, if you want to attract money, it has to be yellow. In either case, it only works if someone gives it to you as a gift. You can’t just buy it yourself.

Sweeping out the negative energy. To get rid of all the bad vibes, you have to take a broom to your front door and start sweeping out towards the street.

Rolling a suitcase. If you want to travel a lot during the new year, all you have to do is take a suitcase and roll it around the block. I do this every year. Ahem, not that I believe it’s true, but it doesn’t hurt to try. 😀

Wearing something new. To have a year full of new things, you have to wear something new on New Year’s Eve. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something new.

Throwing water out the window. Instead of sweeping, you can just throw water out the window to get rid of all the negativity that surrounds you.

Putting sheep figurines at the front door. This is to attract good luck and abundance to your home.

Eating lentils. This ritual brought from Italy serves to attract abundance ($) to your home.

Eating 12 grapes. This is probably the most famous ritual. As soon as the clock strikes midnight, you have to start eating grapes, one for each stroke. As you eat, you have to make a wish, making a total of 12 wishes.

Many Latin American countries have similar rituals, so don’t be surprised if you see them there, too.

Conclusion

As you can see, New Year’s is an important celebration in Mexico. Mexicans like to party and have fun, and New Year’s is a perfect opportunity to do just that!

Have you spent New Year’s in Mexico? Where was that? How did it go? Did you notice anything different in your country? I’d love to know. Let me know in the comments below.

I hope you found this interesting. If you haven’t visited Mexico around this date, I urge you to do so sometime. Just let me know how it goes. Bon voyage!

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More resources

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4 Replies to “How Do Mexicans Celebrate New Year’s?”

  1. Very fascinating that they have such related but yet quite distant rituals to our own. I live in SA and we also do things a little different. I love the 12 grapes at midnight and 12 wishes (never heard it before). Fire works are banned in my country so I am glad they still have it elsewhere. Mexicans really do sound like they throw a good party without a doubt and going bed at 3 – not at all is no half measure.

  2. What fun people and I love all the food and rituals. I imagine you would want to check that someone wasn’t standing outside when you threw the water or it might give you negativity instead of getting rid of it. I always felt that Mexicans have a lot for a party and for life and now you tell me that is true. I think we need to make a date to head there for New Years’ Eve 2022 just to make sure they read your article too.

    1. Hi, Lily,

      Yes, we like to party and make friends! Of course, there are a few exceptions to the rule, but generally, we’re fun people.

      You got it right. You gotta be careful when performing any ritual or it could be counterproductive lol.

      I hope you visit someday. I’m sure you’ll love it.

      Thanks for commenting.

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