New Year's Day

**New Year's Day in Portugal** is celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the new year with joy, traditions, and festivities. Known as *Ano Novo*, it is a public holiday where families and friends come together to welcome the new year. The celebrations often begin on New Year's Eve (*Réveillon*), with lively parties, fireworks, and music. A popular tradition is to eat 12 raisins at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock, symbolizing good luck for each month of the year. Many Portuguese also head to the coast to watch fireworks displays, particularly in cities like Lisbon and Porto. New Year's Day itself is typically a time for relaxation, family gatherings, and enjoying traditional meals. It’s a day filled with hope, resolutions, and the anticipation of new beginnings.