The Filipino New Year’s Eve feast traditionally eaten at midnight is called Media Noche.
Media Noche means “midnight” in Spanish and refers to the meal shared as the old year changes into the new one. Families commonly gather around a decorated table and serve special foods, turning the meal into both a reunion and a hopeful welcome for the coming year.
Many Filipino households include twelve round fruits, whose shape is associated with coins and prosperity; the exact fruit selection varies. Other customs may include making noise at midnight or wearing polka dots, since circles are popularly linked with wealth. Media Noche is different from Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve meal celebrated on December 24. The Spanish name reflects the Philippines’ long historical connection with Spanish language and culture, though the feast is distinctly part of Filipino family life.