Celebrating the New Year in Wales is just as popular in Wales as around the world.
In Wales, New Year’s Eve is known as “Nos Galan” and is a time for celebration and reflection. Many Welsh people celebrate by attending parties and gatherings with friends and family, and by singing traditional Welsh hymns and carols. Some people also participate in the Welsh tradition of “first footing,” which involves visiting the homes of friends and loved ones on New Year’s Day to bring good luck for the coming year. This is often accompanied by the exchange of gifts and the sharing of food and drink. Other traditional activities on New Year’s Eve in Wales may include playing games, telling stories, and making resolutions for the coming year
There are many traditional Welsh dishes that are commonly enjoyed on New Year’s Eve and throughout the holiday season. Some popular options include:
- Cawl: a hearty stew made with lamb or beef, vegetables, and leeks.
- Bara brith: a fruity bread made with dried fruit, such as raisins, currants, and sultanas.
- Welsh cakes: small, flat cakes made with butter, sugar, and dried fruit, and cooked on a griddle or frying pan.
- Leek and potato soup: a creamy soup made with leeks, potatoes, and other vegetables, often served with bread or croutons.
- Welsh rarebit: a savory dish made with cheese and beer, served over toast or bread. Our recommendation for the BEST Welsh Rarebit speciality dishes just 15 minutes from The Good Life Wales is The International Welsh Rarebit Centre in Defynnog.
These dishes are often served as part of a larger meal on New Year’s Eve, along with other dishes such as roast meats, vegetables, and desserts. It is also common to serve alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, or cider, to celebrate the occasion.
Wales does not have its own specific brand of champagne, as champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France according to strict regulations. However, Wales does have a thriving wine industry, and there are several Welsh wineries that produce sparkling wine using the traditional method (also known as the “Champagne method”) of fermentation in the bottle. These sparkling wines may be made from a variety of grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, and may be labeled as “sparkling wine,” “traditional method sparkling wine,” or “méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine.” Some popular Welsh sparkling wine producers include Ancre Hill Estates, White Castle Vineyard, and Llanerch Vineyard. These sparkling wines can be enjoyed as a celebratory drink on New Year’s Eve or any other occasion.
However or wherever you are celebrating the New Year of 2023, we hope you have a happy, prosperous year ahead. We would love to help you celebrate any occassion you maybe celebrating in 2023 at our little Welsh country escape. Take a look at our webpage to see all you can enjoy here