New Year’s Celebrations in Marbella
You would never have guessed it, but the Spanish tend to start
Noche Vieja (New Year’s Eve) celebrations late – just like the majority of their parties! This means that in
Marbella the streets are eerily quiet in the hours leading up to the start of the New Year. For this reason the majority of bars and restaurants are closed as many families have dinner at home and don’t go out until around an hour before midnight. It is at this time that the masses descend in great numbers to the
Plaza de los Naranjos in the centre of the old town quarter, for the start of a long night of eating, drinking and general merriment.
In preparation for the occasion Spaniards traditionally arm themselves with a bottle of Cava (Spanish champagne) and 12 grapes. Then, when the bells start to chime midnight everyone starts eating the grapes, one for each ring of the bell. It’s said that if you finish your grapes by the time the bells stop tolling then you’ll be blessed with good luck in the New Year! This done the crowds wander around the Plaza de los Naranjos wishing each other
Feliz Año Nuevo (Happy new year) before enjoying the live music that is put on by the town hall.
On the other hand you might want to head to
Marbella’s most luxurious nightclub,
Olivia Valere, on December 31st for a gala dinner and dancing. Or there is always the
Hotel Puente Romano on the Golden Mile, which also offers a gala dinner and live entertainment. However, whatever you end up doing, don’t forget the Spanish New Year’s Eve tradition that stipulates you have to wear red underwear to bring you good luck in the coming year!
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