Ecuador celebrates New Year on January 1st. The celebration starts on December 31th with social gatherings, parties, rituals for good luck and a toast to a happy and healthy year to come. When it comes to New Year's wishes and resolutions, Ecuadorians wish luck and happiness in their lives. In many cities and towns, people gather in main areas, where the party begins early with a mix of parades, contests, games for children, concerts, and fireworks. The celebration of New Year's Eve is known as "Old Year", and the first day of the year is called "New Year".
How Ecuadorians celebrate New Year?
A few weeks before the end of the year, people gather to buy or make an "Old Year" dummy made of newspaper and wood shavings. They put on them a representative mask that defines the identity of the puppet. Usually, it represents a political or a character of a movie or caricature. This is a tradition received by families and friends as well as business, educational and private institutions.
The puppet means the year that ends - an old man - The purpose is to burn it at midnight. This symbolizes the elimination of all the negative experiences of the year that ends, giving a clean welcome to the New Year.
Ecuadorian New Year traditions
During the night of December 31, Ecuadorians traditionally fire fireworks. They also wear brans new clothing of specific colors to attract good luck, prosperity, love, and money. On the first of January, at 12 a.m., while the old-year dummy is burning, many people eat 12 grapes — one grape a month, this is to attract prosperity and good fortune.
Depending on the family taste, many dinners start on the evening of December 31, while others have dinner after 12 on the first of January. The dinner usually consists of roasted pork, chicken or turkey with stuffing, rice, different types of salads and fruits. For those who do not want to celebrate at home, there are many restaurants and hotels that organize dinners, some of which include music, dancing, and a midnight toast.
In addition, celebrations and fireworks are everywhere. The neighborhoods, as well as bars and clubs, are full of music where the Ecuadorians come together in a big party until the sun comes up.
