New Year’s Eve traditions in Portugal

The 7 most common beliefs

29/01/2025

When entering the new year, Portuguese people have a lot of superstitions. From eating 12 raisins to blue underwear, what's behind these traditions?

Everyone has their own way to express luck, health or money, but the truth is that, in Portugal, there are many peculiar superstitions. Whether or not they work, no one knows for sure. But still, Portuguese people continue to take them very seriously when midnight comes and believe that their wishes will come true.

Find out the main Portuguese traditions and don't forget: enter the New Year with the right foot!

12 raisins

In Portugal, the major New Year's Eve tradition is to eat 12 raisins at midnight, one for each month of the year. For each raisin, the person makes a wish believing it will come to life in the new year. This New Year's Eve ritual takes place in the majority of the Portuguese households, but also on streets; many people take their 12 raisins to the street and when the sky lights up with fireworks, they make their wishes.

Jumping from a chair with the right foot

''Entrar com o pé direito'' (entering with the right foot) is a Portuguese saying that means starting something in the right way. On New Year's Eve it's not different and the Portuguese take their expressions seriously. At midnight, many of them jump from a chair with the right foot on a manifestation to bring luck for the new year.

Make a toast with champagne or sparkling wine

Another New Year's Eve classic is the toast. When the clock strikes midnight and the fireworks start bursting in the sky, it's the right moment to make a toast and celebrate the new chapter. Attention - for the superstitious, making a toast with non-alcoholic beverages means bad luck, therefore, on this moment, water and juices are forbidden.

Kissing at midnight

Those who know Portugal, know that its inhabitants value affection as a demonstration of love. The majority of the Portuguese usually give a kiss to those who are special to them and are with them at midnight. Its purpose is to express love and health with their loved ones in the new year.

New and blue underwear

The colour of the underwear chosen for 31 December can have many meanings, but in Portugal, tradition says to wear blue. It's a habit to wear a new piece of underwear on this day, so the new year brings luck and renovation, since it's believed that the blue colour brings health and peace of mind for those who wear it on New Year's Eve.

Notes on the hand

There are also those who believe that having a note on their hand at midnight attracts money. Usually, they grab the largest note available at the moment and start the new year with it in their hand, so there's no lack of money in the new year.

Make noise with pans at midnight

Portuguese people are very superstitious and if you open a window at midnight, you'll hear the noise of pans hitting each other. They believe this scares away bad energies, only leaving room for positive things in the new year. This is a tradition that can take place all over the country, but it's most common in the south of Portugal.

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