As every year on New Year’s Eve, Madrid´s Puerta Del Sol takes centre stage as Spain rings in the New Year as revellers lead the country in eating their lucky grapes to the chimes of the Real Casa de Correos clock tower.
The practice run is set for later today and a full dress rehearsal tomorow for the pre-uvas celebrations which have become a tradition of their own.
There are different stories about the origin of the 12-grape tradition. According to the most popular legend, in 1909, winegrowers in Levante had a surplus of grapes, and so they gave them to the population for free. It cought on and within a few years the whole country had taken to the new tradition.
This year the clock tower in Sol will have a new typography and the word ‘Feliz‘ for the first time written in capital letters.
As in previous years there will be a 15,000 people capacity limit to the square and some 250 national and municipal police along with Samur and other emergency personnel will be on duty.
Additional public transport will be provided with the metro running 24 hours along with an enhanced bujo night service of buses across the capital.
However revellers should note that the main Puerta del Sol station will be closed from 5pm.
When the clock strikes on31 December, the vast majority of Spaniards are watching, either in person or on TV. A few seconds before midnight, the ball on top of the clock drops to the sound of a carillon. Then, the four anticipatory tones (cuartos in Spanish) can be heard as a prelude to the 12 chimes themselves, striking every three seconds to prevent grape eaters from choking.
The clock ceremony is only the beginning of a very long night. On New Year’s Eve, Madrid never really goes to sleep: festive atmosphere, music and merrymakers are everywhere. If you’re coming to the capital, make sure to not miss our special New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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