Many of us celebrate the arrival of a new year with a glass of fizz, a plate of food and some fireworks, but communities around the world will ring in 2016 with a number of weird and wonderful traditions and celebrations – from organised fighting in the Peruvian Andes to mass grape-eating in Spain. Ahead of the New Year, we look at some of the most unusual festivities.
People hold glasses of champagne as they celebrate in the waters of Lake Geneva in Geneva, during the New Year's traditional bath, on 1 January 2015. Around 50 swimmers took part in the 21st edition of the traditionnal bath to mark the New Year.Getty
A follower of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda carries offerings for Iemanja, goddess of the sea, in Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, 29 December 2015. Worshippers present gifts to the sea goddess at the end of every year, to give thanks and ask for blessings for the upcoming new year.Reuters
People take part in Ecuador's traditional New Year custom of burning dummies representing prominent politicians, sport personalities and artists in the belief that it brings good luck for the following year, in Quito on 31 December 2014Getty
Two Romanian children dressed as bears dance with a band in Bucharest. Romanians dress themselves up with bear costumes during Christmas and New Year celebrations, to perform traditional dances believed to bring good luck and wealth in the next year.Getty
Hogmanay fireball swingers illuminate the streets of Stonehaven carrying on the tradition of welcoming the new year in ScotlandGetty
In Bolivia, coins are baked into confectionary and whoever finds them is believed to have good luck for the next year.Reuters
An Andean man receives a punch during a one-on-one fight during the "Takanakuy", a traditional festivity at Chumbivilcas province, in Cuzco, 25 December 2011. Takanakuy, which means "when the blood is boiling" in Quechua, is an annual and ancient celebration inherited from the pre-hispanic Chanka culture, that gives hundreds of Andean villagers the chance to solve their love, honour and property problems through the force of blows as a way to put differences behind them before the New Year.Reuters
A crowd of people gathered in Puerta del Sol in Madrid eat grapes to celebrate the New YearGetty
A young Thai man has covered his face in white powder, a Songkran tradition, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.Getty
People pile up wooden pallets prior to the traditional bonfire of New Year's Eve, on 29 December 2015 in ScheveningenGetty
