Grapes, Suitcases, and Red Underwear: a Mexican New Year
If you think New Year’s Eve is just about a countdown and a glass of champagne, you’ve clearly never spent Año Nuevo with a Mexican family. In Mexico, the transition from December 31st to January 1st isn’t just a party; it’s a high-stakes marathon of rituals designed to "hack" the universe into giving you a better year.
From sprinting around the block with empty luggage to a dangerous speed-eating session involving fruit, Mexican New Year is a beautiful blend of deep-rooted faith, family warmth, and hilarious superstitions.
If you want to ring in the new year like a true Papi, here is your guide to the traditions that make a Mexican New Year the most chaotic and wonderful night of the year.
1. The Grape Race (Las Doce Uvas)
The most iconic Mexican New Year tradition actually begins at the stroke of midnight. As the clock chimes twelve times, you are required to eat twelve grapes—one for each chime. Each grape represents a month of the upcoming year and a wish you want to come true.
Sounds easy? Try doing it while everyone is cheering, music is blasting, and you’re trying not to choke. The goal is to finish all twelve before the final chime. It is a frantic, mouth-full-of-fruit situation that usually ends in muffled laughter and a very sticky face. Pro tip: Buy seedless grapes. Your 2026 self will thank you.
2. The Underwear Rainbow (Calzones de Colores)
In Mexico, what you wear under your party outfit is actually more important than the outfit itself. There is a strict color code for New Year’s Eve underwear, and the color you choose sets the "vibe" for your entire year:
Red: For those looking for love, passion, or a spicy new romance.
Yellow: For those chasing wealth, prosperity, and a fatter bank account.
Green: For health and well-being.
White: For peace, hope, and a drama-free year.
Walk into any Mexican market in late December, and you will see mountains of red and yellow undergarments. It’s a silent pact we all make: we might be wearing a fancy suit on the outside, but underneath, we’re all just desperately asking the universe for a raise.
3. The Suitcase Sprint (Pasear las Maletas)
If your New Year’s resolution is to travel more, the Mexican tradition of Las Maletas is for you. Shortly after midnight, you might see people grabbing empty suitcases and literally running out their front door to do a lap around the block.
The superstition says that the further you walk (or run) with your luggage, the further you will travel in the coming year. It is a hilarious sight to see entire families sprinting down the street with rattling, empty suitcases at 12:15 AM. It’s the ultimate "manifestation" technique—just with more cardio.
4. The Feast Beyond the Taco
While we love a taco every day of the year, the New Year’s Eve menu in Mexico usually leans into traditional "celebration" dishes that take days to prepare.
Bacalao a la Vizcaína: A rich, savory stew of salted cod, tomatoes, olives, and capers. It’s a Spanish-influenced dish that has become a staple of Mexican holidays.
Romeritos: Sprigs of a wild plant (seepweed) served in a thick, dark mole sauce with shrimp cakes and potatoes. It is earthy, complex, and tastes like "home."
Ponche Navideño: A warm, spiced fruit punch made with sugarcane, guava, hibiscus, and tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn). If you’re an adult, we usually add a "piquete" (a splash of tequila or rum) to keep the spirits high.
5. Cleaning the Soul (and the House)
Finally, there is the tradition of "The Clean Sweep." Many Mexican families spend the day of the 31st cleaning their homes from top to bottom. But it’s not just about dust; it’s about energy.
Some people sweep dirt out the front door to symbolically push away the "bad vibes" of the previous year. Others throw a glass of water out the window to wash away the sorrows of the past. It’s a way of making space for all the new grapes, suitcases, and red underwear to actually work their magic.
Celebrate with Papi’s
At Papi’s Tacos, we might not make you run around the block with a suitcase, but we definitely bring the spirit of the Mexican fiesta to Singapore. Whether you’re looking for a New Year’s Eve feast or a "hangover-curing" burrito on January 1st, we’ve got the authentic flavors to start your year on the right note.
So, grab your grapes, pick your underwear color wisely, and let’s toast to a year filled with good food, better company, and plenty of tacos.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
About Us: At Papi's Tacos, we are inspired by both the authentic street culture and the culinary evolution sweeping Mexico. We commit to using traditional masa and slow-cooking techniques to deliver a flavor that is both deeply traditional and undeniably fresh. Come taste the future of Mexican food with us. ¡Buen provecho!