New Year's Day in Portugal

New Year's Day, or "Dia de Ano Novo" in Portuguese, is celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is a public holiday across Portugal, with many businesses and services closed to give people the chance to spend time with family and friends.

History

The celebration of the new year on January 1st has Roman origins, with festivities dedicated to Janus, the god of beginnings. With the spread of Christianity and subsequent adoption of the Gregorian calendar by most Catholic countries, including Portugal, this date became widely accepted as the start of the new year.

Traditions

Portuguese New Year's traditions are a blend of superstition and conviviality:

• Families and friends gather for celebratory meals on New Year's Eve, known as "Passagem de Ano."
• Twelve raisins are eaten at midnight, coinciding with each chime of the clock – each raisin represents a wish for each month of the upcoming year.
• Champagne or sparkling wine is often drunk after midnight to toast to the new year.
• Fireworks displays are common in major cities like Lisbon and Porto.
• Concerts and street parties can be found throughout urban centers bringing people together in festivity.

Activities

On New Year's Day itself:

• People often spend time relaxing at home after the previous night's celebrations.
• Many go for a walk or drive to enjoy some fresh air or visit relatives.
• Some attend church services to seek blessings for the new year ahead.

While specific customs may vary regionally within Portugal, a sense of renewal and hope characterizes nationwide activities.