In Spanish New Year's Eve tradition, grapes are eaten at each of the 12 midnight chimes for luck.
The custom is known as las doce uvas de la suerte, or “the twelve grapes of luck.” People try to eat one grape with each bell strike at midnight on 31 December. The twelve grapes are commonly associated with the twelve months of the coming year, and successfully eating them is believed to bring prosperity or good fortune.
The tradition became especially widespread in Spain during the early 20th century. A popular explanation links its expansion to grape growers who promoted the practice after a large harvest, although the custom had earlier roots among urban celebrants. Madrid’s Puerta del Sol clock is the country’s most famous public focus for the midnight chimes.
The grapes are not a religious requirement, and people often prepare small, peeled or seedless grapes because eating twelve quickly can be difficult. Similar midnight grape traditions are now observed in parts of Latin America.