New Year's Day, which is on January 1, is celebrated in a grand and festive manner in Peru just like other parts of the world. It is a public holiday and a time for many Peruvians to relax and enjoy the start of the New Year. It signifies new beginnings, resolutions and is often seen as a time to forget about the past and look forward to the future with optimism and hope.
On New Year's Day in Peru, a lot of tradition and cultural rituals are evident as people celebrate in their own unique ways. Some people in Peru believe in the custom of 'la primera, la suerte' which means that the first thing you do in the New Year will bring you luck. Various traditional foods are enjoyed during this time, with a special New Year’s meal often including dishes made with lentils for luck and prosperity in the coming year.
Moreover, people generally celebrate New Year's Day by attending parties, fireworks, concerts, and events that carry on from New Year’s Eve well into the morning of New Year’s Day. The fun-filled festival also involves dancing, drinking, and music, celebration of their heritage with traditional Peruvian music and arts, religious ceremonies and processions. In many places, a major firework display at midnight marks the start of the New Year.