Unique Chimes Beyond the Puerta del Sol

With the rhythm of guitars, fire, and water or dressed as crazy characters. These are some squares where you can welcome 2018. There are no shortages of low necklines, glitter, noise makers, and party favors... and of course, grapes, present in every corner of Spain.

Institutionalized since 2013, the New Year's Eve celebration in the Catalan City is held next to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. A large-scale show where performing arts come into play to creatively showcase elements of Catalan identity. Lights, water, music, color changes, and a lot of excitement until the moment of the midnight bells, marking the start of a fireworks display that lasts for half an hour.

In this Manchegan city, Cervantes oversees the ringing of the bells. He does so from the carillon clock of the City Hall, with an original parade of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to the rhythm of the chimes. At the peak moment, the famous knight and his gluttonous squire, accompanied by their creator, appear in the square to welcome the new year in a rather erudite manner. However, the celebration continues with all its excesses until well into the morning.

Flamenco, as it could not be otherwise, arrives in Córdoba for New Year's Eve. Here there are no bell tolls, but strums of guitars to ring in the year. This is what you hear from the clock in Plaza de las Tendillas, which has been ringing its chimes to the rhythms of soleares for over 50 years. Chords recorded by Juan Serrano, guitarist for Juanito Valderrama, whose cadence guides thousands of Cordobans in the ritual of eating grapes. You can also witness this celebration from home, on TV, as it is the place historically broadcasting New Year's Eve by Canal Sur.

With fire, this town in Girona (Banyoles in Catalan) welcomes the new year, settled on the shore of the lake of the same name. More specifically, with the Gàrgoles de Foc that are launched from the rooftop of the Town Hall to illuminate the square with light and color. It is a tradition for this to happen while the twelve chimes sound and an hour later, at one in the morning, continuing the celebration among the crowd.

If there's one thing that stands out in this village located in the Guadalhorce Valley, it's an excess of imagination. Especially on New Year's Eve, when an improvised parade is staged with all the residents dressed as if it were carnival. Thus, in front of the Town Hall, they wait for the chimes of the clock tower of the Church of San Juan, in a festive atmosphere where elegant suits have no place, only the most fun outfits. A tradition that dates back 30 years and whose origin is unclear even to the locals.