Celebrated the world over and Spain is no exception. New Year's Eve is the time to party and welcome in the new year. In every town, village and city in Spain, New Year's Eve will be celebrated in style.

The day will probably start with a large family gathering and a meal together. Every generation will be present from the oldest to the youngest. At night, most parties are private affairs and many restaurants are booked up completely for family gatherings. Meanwhile, all the plazas will be full of people bringing in the New Year. Most councils provide entertainment as well as refreshments, free of charge.

It's quite common for Spanish to take to the streets at five to midnight, armed with their own bottle of bubbly. The cork is popped as the bells strike midnight.

12 grapes

A Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight; one on each stroke ofthe bells. It's surprising how difficult it is.

Costume party

In the town of Coin (Malaga province), the whole town will enjoy an in-house dinner then take to the streets in wonderful, hand-made costumes. After parading round the town they gather in Plaza Bermudez de la Rubia and await the 12 chimes of midnight from the church of San Juan. A competition is held for the best costumes and often groups have their own themes. This is celebrated as the first carnival of the year for this quaint town.