New Year Celebration In Ecuador

Live music competitions drink dolls and masks.

New year celebration in ecuador. We set our intentions for the new year we spend time with people we love and we celebrate our achievements. This tradition is typical in the whole country but the most intense activity can be found in quito guayaquil and cuenca. Here in ecuador to represent the letting go of this present year we take asserín sawdust and fill old clothes to create a figure that resembles a body which is finished by putting a mask as the head.

The following are traditions that are celebrated to close the year and welcome the next one. New year s eve is coming up and it s one of the most important nights of the year. This figure represents the old year and on jan 1st 12 00 am we set it on fire.

Generally the larger cities or towns are the best place to be for large scale celebrations while each city district will often organise their own smaller parties. New year is a huge celebration in ecuador with the traditional creation of sawdust stuffed año viejo old year puppets being a major feature. As well as the usual drunken parties and huge firework displays quiteños have a few of their own particular traditions which make new year s eve in quito just a bit different.

Downtown many vendors were selling masks which at a first glance reminded us of the masks we had seen during the paucartambo festival in peru. For my last visit to ecuador we had a chanchada or pork cook out party with my brother s in laws family. Small towns and many big city neighborhoods take to the streets set off fireworks and burn effigies of the old year all while wearing yellow underwear and eating grapes at midnight.

El año viejo or monigote. And we party a lot. If you are spending your new years eve in ecuador here are a few options depending on your interests and the vibe you are.

This celebration is considered to be the largest and best christmas pageant in all of ecuador. Across this modest andean nation communities gather to celebrate in high style. The streets are plenty of activities for all the ages and styles.