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3 Customs or Traditions of the End of Year Celebration.


Starting a new story in the midst of an immense flare of ideas to build a better reality is what happens in the heads of millions of people around the world, many simultaneously, right at the same time. It is the New Year's celebration. Today, Vallarta Today presents you with 3 Customs or Traditions that the people of Puerto Vallarta do right at the beginning of the New Year.

Launching Firecrackers or Fireworks.

In Puerto Vallarta, launching firecrackers and fireworks at the beginning of the New Year is a deeply rooted tradition that combines celebration, ritualism and visual spectacle. This practice has roots both in cultural beliefs and in the desire to create a festive atmosphere to welcome the new year with joy and positive energy.

Reasons behind the tradition:

  1. To scare away evil spirits:


○ In many cultures, loud noise is associated with the expulsion of bad energies and negative spirits. Firecrackers symbolize a kind of purification, leaving behind the negative to start the year with good luck.
○ In Puerto Vallarta, this belief is mixed with coastal rituals related to the sea and nature, reinforcing the idea of ​​spiritual renewal

         2. Celebrate with joy and unity:


○ Fireworks represent the explosion of happiness and the welcome to a new cycle full of hope and goals to meet.
○ Families and tourists congregate at iconic spots like the Malecón to enjoy the spectacle by the sea, creating a magical and community atmosphere.

          3. Show gratitude and prosperity:


○ The brightness of the fireworks symbolizes the abundance and success that is expected to be attracted in the coming year.
○ In a tourist city like Puerto Vallarta, where the economy depends largely on tourism, bright lights are also interpreted as an invitation to economic prosperity.

            4.  Attract tourism:


○ Celebrations with fireworks attract thousands of national and international visitors, positioning Puerto Vallarta as a vibrant and joyful tourist destination during the end-of-year holidays.

○ The visual spectacle over the ocean creates an unforgettable memory for those who attend, encouraging the return of tourists year after year.

Safety and environmental awareness:

In recent years, awareness has grown about the environmental impact and the negative effect that fireworks can have on animals and people sensitive to noise. For this reason, some
Local organizations and groups promote more sustainable options, such as LED light shows or drone shows.

The tradition of launching firecrackers and fireworks in Puerto Vallarta at the start of the New Year reflects a mix of culture, superstition and celebration. In addition to being an impressive visual spectacle, it symbolizes an act of renewal, hope and family unity. However, this custom also faces current challenges related to sustainability and animal welfare, which has led the community to look for greener ways to keep this holiday alive.

Wearing New Underwear

In Puerto Vallarta, as in many other parts of Mexico and Latin America, there is a custom of wearing new underwear at the start of the New Year because it is believed that underwear can attract good luck and positive energies for the coming year.

Meaning of Colors:

The tradition not only focuses on wearing new underwear, but also on the color that is chosen, since each one has a particular meaning:

● Red: Represents love and passion. It is ideal for those who want to find a partner or strengthen their relationship.

● Yellow: Symbolizes prosperity, money, and economic abundance.

● Green: Related to health and physical and emotional well-being.

● White: Associated with peace, harmony, and tranquility.

● Pink: Used to attract pure love and sincere friendship.

● Blue: Represents trust, security, and success in personal or work projects.

This tradition is very popular because the coastal atmosphere, full of joy and festivities, motivates people to welcome the new year with renewed hope. In addition, the proximity to the sea encourages rituals that combine superstition and spirituality to attract good energies.

● Last-minute shopping: Local markets and stores sell underwear of all colors in the days leading up to the New Year. ● Beach parties: Many locals and tourists wear their symbolic colored underwear while celebrating on beaches such as Los Muertos and Conchas Chinas, creating a festive and magical atmosphere.

● Additional rituals: Some combine this practice with other beliefs, such as throwing coins into the sea, sweeping the house, or lighting colored candles to reinforce their wishes.

Wearing new underwear on New Year's is not only a fun tradition, but also a way to start the year with optimism, hope, and good energy. In Puerto Vallarta, this practice is lived with a special touch, as it combines the festive joy of the tourist destination with the belief in the power of positive intentions.

Eating 12 Grapes

The tradition of eating 12 grapes at the beginning of the New Year is a custom originating in Spain that reached Mexico and other parts of Latin America. In the case of Puerto Vallarta, this practice has become an essential part of the celebrations due to the strong Spanish cultural influence and the symbolism associated with this tradition.

The Meaning of the 12 Grapes:

  1. Each grape represents a wish or purpose for each of the 12 months of the year that begins.

  2. Eating them just after midnight symbolizes the hope of a year full of abundance, prosperity and good luck.

  3. It is believed that if you manage to eat the 12 grapes before the clock strikes the last bell, your wishes will come true.


In Puerto Vallarta, our city known for its festive atmosphere and community spirit, tradition is lived with a special touch:

● Family and beach gatherings: Many Vallartenses and tourists gather on the Malecón or on beaches like Los Muertos to enjoy the spectacular fireworks while eating grapes.

● Additional rituals: Some accompany the grapes with customs such as wearing underwear of symbolic colors (red for love, yellow for money), throwing coins into the sea, or carrying suitcases as a symbol of future trips.

● Spirituality and connection with the sea: Since Puerto Vallarta has a strong relationship with nature, many perform the ritual in the sand, connecting with the energy of the ocean as an act of renewal.

Eating the 12 grapes when the bells ring is not only a fun tradition, but also a way to welcome the new year with hope and good wishes. In Puerto Vallarta, this custom blends with the coastal atmosphere, creating a magical experience full of positive energy for everyone present.