New Year's Eve 2024-2025 in Ecuador

In Ecuador, New Year's Eve is celebrated in a very unique way. Ecuadorians like to dance, have dinner with their families and drink, but that's not all they do at the end of the year. New Year's Eve in Ecuador is like a mix of the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas. So, let's get into the ins and outs of New Year's Eve celebrations in Ecuador!

NEY Traditions in Ecuador

On December 31 at midnight, Ecuadorians follow a unique tradition of burning paper-mache dolls. Families and friends come together to create these dolls, often using old clothes and stuffing them with newspapers, then set them ablaze in a large bonfire. This act symbolizes saying farewell to the past year's troubles and hardships, creating a fresh start.

Travelers in Ecuador during New Year's can experience this powerful tradition of letting go of old grievances, challenges, and sadness. As the year's final seconds tick down, everyone joins a countdown from ten, and by five, they ignite their dolls, often featuring well-known faces. Political figures, such as mayors or famous television characters like Spider-Man, Princess Leia, or Homer Simpson, are popular choices, making the tradition uniquely Ecuadorian and rare elsewhere.

Another distinctive New Year's custom involves taking an empty suitcase and running around the nearest square to invite travel and new adventures in the coming year. Wearing yellow underwear on New Year's Day or placing a dollar bill in one's shoe are also believed to bring prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.

Another tradition at midnight implies that each person eats twelve grapes. While this custom may seem unusual, it has roots in Europe, where the twelve grapes symbolize the twelve apostles or possibly the months of the year. Ecuador adds its twist, however—the grapes must all be eaten within the last minute of the old year! It's a challenge to eat that many grapes in 60 seconds, but those who succeed are believed to be blessed with good luck for the coming year.

Fireworks

In Ecuador, while fireworks are common year-round, New Year's Eve unleashes a vibrant display of color across the skies in both coastal and highland cities. Large-scale fireworks shows are typically organized in major cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. Still, the true spectacle begins after midnight, when countless family displays light up neighborhoods nationwide, often continuing into the early hours of New Year's Day. Those with access to a rooftop terrace are in for an unforgettable panoramic view across the city.

In cities like Cuenca, fireworks are just one part of the lively New Year's celebrations. Many roads across the city are closed to make way for festivities, with parties happening in numerous neighborhoods. On December 31, every corner of Cuenca bursts with music, color, and rich tradition, creating an unforgettable atmosphere to ring in the New Year.