Many Colombians traditionally carry an empty suitcase around the block on New Year’s Eve to symbolize travel.
The custom expresses a wish for journeys and new experiences during the coming year. Participants may walk around their home or neighborhood with a suitcase shortly after midnight, turning an ordinary travel object into a ritual of aspiration. The suitcase is empty because the emphasis is on inviting future trips rather than returning from one.
This is a popular Colombian superstition, not an official national ceremony. Families and regions interpret it differently, and many people do not follow the practice. It is one of several Latin American New Year customs that use symbolic actions to attract a desired outcome.
The ritual is sometimes described as “running around the block with a suitcase,” but the exact route and timing are flexible. Its meaning is travel and adventure, rather than wealth, health, or a particular destination.