A suitcase is carried around the block in a Colombian New Year's Eve tradition symbolizing a wish to travel.
In Colombia, some people walk around their block carrying an empty suitcase shortly after midnight. The custom is intended to attract journeys, vacations, or new travel opportunities during the coming year. It is one of several symbolic New Year's practices in which an action represents a hoped-for outcome.
The tradition is informal and varies by family, city, and region. Not every Colombian household follows it, and it is not a required part of a national ceremony. Other Colombian customs include eating twelve grapes at midnight and making wishes for the twelve months ahead.
The suitcase ritual is sometimes reported as a Latin American tradition generally, but its exact form and popularity differ across countries. It should not be confused with packing for an actual trip: the symbolic version is commonly an empty suitcase taken on a short walk near the home.