New Year's Eve in Colombia

History and Traditions: New Year's Eve in Colombia, known as "Nochevieja," is a blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish traditions, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. It marks the end of the year and is celebrated on December 31st.

One of the most iconic traditions is the burning of "Año Viejo" (Old Year), a dummy often filled with fireworks or materials that easily catch fire. This represents shedding the past year's bad energies and experiences. People also write down their negative memories or things they want to leave behind and burn them in a bonfire.

Celebrations: Colombians often celebrate New Year's Eve with family gatherings and festive meals. A typical feast might include dishes like lechona (stuffed pork), tamales, and buñuelos.

At midnight, there are several customs:

• Grapes: Eating 12 grapes at each stroke of midnight for good luck in each month of the coming year.
• Luggage: Some people run around the block with suitcases hoping it will lead to travel in the new year.
• Money: Holding money in hand or putting it in shoes for prosperity.
• Lentils: Carrying lentils for abundance.
• Yellow Underwear: Wearing yellow underwear is believed to bring happiness.

Festivities: Celebrations often include music and dancing, with genres like cumbia, vallenato, and salsa being popular. Fireworks light up the sky at midnight across cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena.

Social gatherings might extend into January 1st as Colombians enjoy a day off to rest from the festivities or continue celebrating with "Aguinaldos," which are small games played among friends and family during the Christmas season that extends into New Year's celebrations.

Public events also feature concerts and parties where people gather to count down to the new year together. Many attend church services earlier in the evening as well to pray for blessings for the upcoming year.