12 classic ways to say Happy New Year in Spanish & NYE traditions

25 February 2026

Author:

Berlitz

In Dubai and across the UAE and the Gulf, you’ll see these words and phrases show up in real - life conversations, study, and work.

Who doesn’t like to celebrate the end of the year? Whether the past year was awesome or a bit challenging for you, the new year is synonymous with new beginnings and hope.
If you’ve decided to say goodbye to the past and welcome the new year in style with Spanish - speaking friends or in a Spanish - speaking country this year, this article will come in handy - whether you’re celebrating in Madrid, Mexico City, or at a New Year’s brunch on a Dubai rooftop near Jumeirah:

• Learn how to say Happy New Year in Spanish
• Find out about cool expressions you can use during the holidays
• Get inspired by New Year’s resolutions in Spanish
• Discover beautiful New Year’s traditions in Spanish - speaking countries
• Sing along with the most famous song to wish a happy new year in Spanish
• Beginning your Spanish language learning journey? Download your free Spanish language essentials eBook here - or book a placement test at Berlitz Berlitz Jumeirah Centre to find the right course level.

How to say Happy New Year in Spanish

Wondering how to say Happy New Year’s Eve in Spanish? The most common expression is “Feliz fin de año.” And Happy New Year in Spanish is “Feliz año” or “Feliz año nuevo.” ¿Es pan comido, no?

Happy New Year in Spanish - pronunciation

Tip: Want to practice with a native tutor? Book a private Spanish lesson or join a conversation club at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre - great for practicing festive phrases before a New Year’s party in Dubai.

New Year’s Spanish traditions in Spanish - speaking countries

Though New Year’s Eve is celebrated across the Hispanic world, traditions differ - and you can try many of these customs here in the UAE at a cultural workshop or community event.

New Year’s traditions in Spain

If you plan to celebrate like the Spaniards, practice the grape trick: as the clock chimes twelve times at midnight, eat one grape for each chime - one for each month of the coming year. Tips for beginners:

Buy seedless grapes
Peel for children or older family members to avoid choking
Don’t look at friends (you’ll laugh and miss a chime!)

Host a Spanish - style New Year’s gathering in Dubai and invite friends from the Berlitz Jumeirah Centre community to try the tradition together.

New Year’s traditions in Mexico

Many Spanish customs made their way to Latin America, but Mexico has its own twists:

Leaving lentils outside for good fortune
Wearing red underwear to attract love, yellow for money, white for peace (in Dubai you’ll find themed gift shops near Jumeirah that sell colourful lingerie - fun for parties!)
Sweeping the doorstep to push away the previous year’s negativity
Smashing plates in Oaxaca - style celebrations Watching fireworks on the beach - imagine this on a Dubai coastline evening

New Year’s traditions in Colombia

Burning the “Old Year doll” at midnight to let go of the past
Wearing new yellow underwear for good luck (and sometimes wearing it inside - out before midnight)
Carrying a suitcase around the block if you want to travel in the new year
Filling pockets with lentils and cash for prosperity
Start the year with your right foot forward

If you’re in the UAE, try a themed cultural night at a community center or school - Berlitz Jumeirah Centre often runs cultural workshops that pair language learning with traditions like these.

New Year’s resolutions in Spanish

Want to proudly share your New Year’s resolutions in Spanish? New Year’s resolutions are “Propósitos de Año Nuevo.” Here are sample resolutions you can use or adapt - and try saying them at your next Spanish class or private tutoring session in Dubai. Need help turning a resolution into a plan? Book a short goal - setting session with a language coach at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre - they help students set realistic weekly targets and track progress.

Happy New Year in Spanish - the song

If you’ve never heard it before, you might hate me afterwards - it’s catchy and it never leaves your head. Of course I mean “Feliz Navidad” (Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad). It’s bilingual, joyful, and a must - sing for holiday gatherings - a fun song to practice with in group Spanish classes or at a family karaoke night in Dubai.

Take your Spanish beyond the classroom (UAE tips)

Join a conversation club at Berlitz Jumeirah Centre and practice festive greetings with fellow learners.
Book a placement test (online or in - center) to find the right course before the new year.
Consider DELE exam prep if you want certification in the coming year. Berlitz offers tailored exam courses.
Attend cultural workshops (food, music, traditions) to try grape - eating, learn party vocabulary, or rehearse New Year’s resolutions in Spanish.
Use online Spanish classes if you’re travelling across Emirates - Berlitz offers flexible online and hybrid courses.
Kids? Check kids Spanish classes and holiday camps at Jumeirah Centre to get children speaking basic festive phrases.

Final note

For structured practice, Berlitz UAE can help - whether you learn at our Dubai branches (Jumeirah or JLT), study on-site in DIFC, or visit our Abu Dhabi branches in Khalidiya and Khalifa. So, if you are learning Spanish, why not take it outside the classroom? Next Año Nuevo, you could try to visit a Spanish - speaking country - or join a Spanish New Year’s event in Dubai. You’ll use the Happy New Year phrases and traditions you’ve just learned and have a blast in the meantime. To start off the year on the right foot - remember, el pie derecho.