New Year’s Eve in Peru

Written by Zoe Smith, United Kingdom, December 2012

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Cultural Experience, Holiday Activity, Festival

Information

Comment from Zoe Smith

As the clocks strike midnight on December 31st, towns and villages all over Peru come alive with impromptu fireworks displays and lively celebrations. But it’s not all about partying – locals also have a number of quirky traditions for bringing in the New Year.

Purchasing new clothes, especially underwear, for the big day is a popular way to ‘start anew’, but it’s the color that’s most significant – red clothes are said to bring love in the coming year, green symbolizes money and yellow, the most popular choice, brings luck and happiness. That’s not all: running up and down flights of stairs or around the block; scattering rice around the house; taking a bath filled with flowers and throwing 12 coins over your shoulder (one for each month of the upcoming year) are all said to ensure a favorable year to come.

Editor’s Note: This recommendation was taken from our Peru Things to Do blog. Visit the original post to continue reading the full post and to learn more about things to do in Peru.

Photo courtesy of bayasaa via Flickr.

Latest Replies

Add review or reply

We don't have any reviews for this recommendation – be the first to review it! Simply click Add Review above and share your opinion.