New Year's Eve, The Chimes of New Year

The New Year's Eve Chimes are the short 36-second ritual that precedes the New Year's Eve celebrations. Arriving at 12:00 at night on December 31, it is traditional throughout Spain to eat 12 grapes following the rhythm set by 12 strokes; one for each month of the year. According to tradition, if you don't eat all 12 grapes, you won't have good luck the year that is about to begin. But, where does this tradition come from? There are several theories, but two are the most credible. The first is truly interesting because it involves two countries and a certain class struggle waged with the weapons of satire. During the 80s of the 19th century, the Spanish bourgeoisie would have imitated the French custom of drinking champagne and grapes to celebrate the new year. A few years later, some people from Madrid would have gone to Puerta del Sol to hear the midnight bells and would have brought grapes to imitate the newly acquired upper-class custom, as a form of mockery. The other theory is more prosaic and takes us to Alicante at the end of 1909, when grape growers in the area had surplus harvests. In order to sell the grapes, they would have invented the 12 chimes tradition.

New Year's Eve on the street

Whatever the origin, the truth is that the tradition is deeply ingrained, and in the street, at home or in a restaurant, most of Barcelonians will eat the grapes to the rhythm of the chimes. Then they will continue with the party where they are or they will go to a place or srhythm where New Year's Eve parties are held. When we say in the street, we refer to the srhythm where the greatest number of people are concentrated because tradition dictates it or because the city organizes a show in that place. In the case of Barcelona, ​​that srhythm has been Montjuïc for some years. Around the Magic Fountain there is a great show that culminates with the launching of fireworks reinforced with music and the dancing water of the Magic Fountain.

The New Year's Eve Chimes the year of the pandemic: goodbye 2023, hello 2024

The musical symphony, fireworks, monumental scenery and the most impressive technological innovation will transform the Avenida de la Reina María Cristina into an incomparable setting to say goodbye to the year 2023 and welcome 2024 by the group Groupe F, under the direction of Christophe Berthonneau.

This year,the New Year's Eve celebration will focus on the longing for the New Year, a feeling that manifests itself as hope, vision of a better future and the desire for a better life. The future desires and aspirations of citizens, as well as the imagery of the city, will be represented in a show that combines fireworks, lighting and music, using emblematic symbols and images such as the panot, the profile characteristic of Barcelona, the plot of L'Eixample and modernism. In addition, significant moments that 2024 will bring will be highlighted, such as the Tapias Year or the America's Cup.

Due to the drought decree, unfortunately, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc will not be able to be part of this show.