12 grapes under the table ritual: The New Year’s eve trend taking over 2026 promises love and luck? What you need to know

The new Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve has taken the internet by storm. On New Year’s Eve, many people follow this tradition, which dates back to 19th century Spain. In Spanish, they are known as uvas de la suerte, or “lucky grapes.” Over time, people now follow the tradition of eating a grape at every chime when the clock strikes midnight; each grape represents a month of the following year. It is believed that if you finish all twelve on time, you will have good luck; If you fail you won’t be so lucky.

This fun trend has gained attention on social media, where you see people eating 12 green grapes under the table at midnight to show love, luck, and prosperity for the coming year. Many women claimed that they tried this trend last New Year’s Eve and found their partner, and shared their videos on social media, urging people to try it in 2026. But this isn’t just a social media trend. In fact, this is also a beloved Spanish tradition for New Year’s Eve.

According to Vogue, eating 12 grapes at midnight to celebrate the new year is a Spanish tradition that dates back hundreds of years. It is also practiced in the Caribbean, South America and other Spanish and Latin countries. Each grape represents 12 resolutions or wishes for the new year. Whether it’s losing weight, finding love, or finding a new job, eating grapes at midnight will help people achieve it, or so they say.
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The ritual of eating 12 grapes at the table was explained

“The Twelve Grapes of Fortune,” also known as “Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte,” began in Madrid in the late 1800s, according to a report in the Times of India. As the Puerta del Sol clock struck midnight on December 31, families across Spain gathered around their televisions and ate a grape to the sound of each of 12 chimes; that was one for each month of the next year. It is believed that eating all 12 grapes before the last bell rings brings good luck, health, love and prosperity. Legend warns that if you miss a grape, the coming year may not be trouble-free. What started as a clever marketing idea has since grown into a beloved and widely followed New Year’s Eve tradition.

Now the ritual has gone viral. Social media has added another fun twist: Eating grapes while sitting under the dinner table to “increase” luck. Each grape still symbolizes a month of the year, but participants now whisper their wishes as they eat, hoping the extra privacy will strengthen their intentions for the year ahead.

Actress Kathryn Bernardo was also reportedly caught on camera last year eating grapes under the table as part of the New Year’s tradition of welcoming 2025. His mother, Min Bernardo, also shared this moment in her Instagram post.

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“Praying that eating 12 grapes under the table this year works 🙏 grapes in my name.. must be a sign,” wrote one user X. “I nearly died trying to shove a dozen shiny nutmeg grapes down my throat while crouched under a table in the middle of the night. Of course I could have chosen a smaller variety and saved myself the pain, but these were too delicious to resist :),” wrote another. “I ate my grapes under the table and part of my manifestation has already happened,” another social media user wrote.

Not only on social media but even on the popular show ‘Modern Family’, Gloria tells her son Manny how eating 12 grapes changed her life: from being a single mother in poverty to marriage with a rich man. Fans love these stories, and viral posts reflect it: “Did I do it last year, I met my soulmate!” Although science doesn’t prove it, rushing creates excitement and prepares you to seize opportunities.