13 New Year’s Traditions and Superstitions

An empty suitcase could mean travel in 2026!

Before I get started, let me introduce myself. I am Barb, 65 years young, African-American who was born, raised, and educated in Pittsburgh. I currently work for VisitPITTSBURGH as the Destination and Visitors Services Manager. I grew up in a family that believed in and practiced many superstitions, both everyday and on New Year’s. While I do not walk under ladders, I do bless a sneeze, and 13 is my lucky number.

New Year's Traditions and Superstitions

Rounded up below are 13 of the most popular New Year's traditions and superstitions for your consideration:

Kiss at Midnight

The person you kiss at midnight will be your lifelong love.

Thoughts

Two thoughts: One, it's all about the location when it comes to your first kiss. Here are some hints. Two, would this work with your dog, cat, ferret, or bird? I think they do, so why not consider adopting a pet! Animal Friends or Humane Animal Rescue both offer adoption services. Not ready to pull the trigger on this one? Donate so they can continue providing services.

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Mount Washington Overlook

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Mount Washington Overlook

12 Grapes at Midnight

One grape for each month to bring year-long good luck.

Thoughts

I’m thinking 12 ounces of wine could do the trick, so let’s go local! Engine House 25 offers a variety of red and white hand-crafted wines. I recommend stopping in this year for a tasting and a charcuterie board. Yum!

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Engine House 25

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Rieder Photography

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Engine House 25

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Rieder Photography

Fill Your Kitchen Cabinets

It's bad luck to start the new year with no food.

Thoughts

Grocery shopping on New Year's Eve is the new date night. Make a run to the Strip District for all your New Year's needs: cheese from Pennsylvania Macaroni Company; halal foods from Salem's; Asian staples from Lotus; all your fish from Wholey’s; all your Greek food staples from Stamoolis Brothers Co., and so much more!

Why stop there? Donate to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and help ensure your neighbors have full cabinets for the new year.

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Pennsylvania Macaroni Company.

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Pennsylvania Macaroni Company.

Have Cash in Your Wallet

To experience prosperity in the new year, you must have cash in your wallet.

Thoughts

Does that include all the gift cards and certificates I've accumulated in my personal mission to support my favorite local businesses? They are cash equivalents, right?

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Kinship Gift

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Kinship Gift

Don't Clean the House on New Year’s Day

You will wash away any good luck coming your way.

Thoughts

No problem – never have to tell me twice on this one! I plan to pick up my favorite knitting magazines, maybe a new romance novel (from a cute local bookstore). On New Year’s Day, I’ll be listening to my smooth jazz albums while contemplating my next knit project (with hand-dyed yarn from Songbird Artistry).

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Kelsey Wagner

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Kelsey Wagner

Open the Doors and/or Windows at Midnight

Let the old year and evil spirits out.

Thoughts

A little fresh air never hurts; it could even help rid your house of the smell of dinner you burned the night before. Where do all of those spirits end up? Find out on a haunted ghost tour.

Eat Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas

Collards represent cash, and black-eyed peas represent coins to bring wealth in the new year.

Thoughts

Stock up on these! Go vegan at least once a week to keep the cash flow coming!

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Apteka

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Ben Filio

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Apteka

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Ben Filio

The First Person to Enter Your Home

A dark-haired male should be the first person to cross the threshold, bringing good luck and a gift.

Thought

Easy…I will call my son to say, "Come visit your mother and bring my granddaughter with you!" As for my gift, it had better be something local from my list.

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The Millie's Holiday Sundae Box is the perfect gift (hint hint)

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The Millie's Holiday Sundae Box is the perfect gift (hint hint)

Don’t Eat Lobster, Crab, or Chicken

Lobsters walk backwards; crabs walk sideways; and because chickens have wings, your good luck could “fly away.”

Thoughts

Stick with the pig because he always moves forward – plus, I have a delicious pork chop recipe! And another run to the Strip District to get pork from Strip District Meats. They have a large variety of beef, pork, and lamb, as well as smoked meats. Visit their website, pick a recommended recipe to try, and then visit in person. For the more adventurous, Strip District Meats also offers a wide variety of exotic meats, including elk, emu, and venison!

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Strip District Meats

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Strip District Meats

Make Some Noise

Scare away any evil spirits.

Thoughts

Don’t have noisemakers? Stack up some pots and pans, then accidentally knock them over. That would scare the bejesus out of anybody! Plus, Downtown Pittsburgh will have enough fireworks going off during First Night to scare out any spirits in a 100-mile radius.

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Live music and fireworks at First Night will help keep those spirits at bay

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Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

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Live music and fireworks at First Night will help keep those spirits at bay

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Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Carry an Empty Suitcase

Walk around your home with an empty suitcase, inviting new adventures to you in the new year.

Thought

Then go online and start checking travel deals! May I suggest you visit Pittsburgh in the near future? We're here to help you plan!

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Oh, look! A scenic skyline of our beautiful city. Does that give you any travel ideas for 2025?

Pictured |

Oh, look! A scenic skyline of our beautiful city. Does that give you any travel ideas for 2025?

Write Down Your Wishes, Hopes and Dreams

Then burn the paper, ensuring they come true.

Thoughts

Keep it small…otherwise the first person to cross your threshold might be a tall, dark, handsome fireman! Bonus points if you use cute stationery from Love, Pittsburgh, and Kards Unlimited.

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Love, Pittsburgh

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Love, Pittsburgh

Start a New Calendar

Throw away last year’s calendars and open up new ones.

Thoughts

Be honest: do you really want to keep an old calendar? Better yet, support a local photographer like Dustin McGrew and buy a Pittsburgh-centric calendar for the new year!

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Dustin McGrew

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Dustin McGrew

In case you are wondering, I’m trying my hardest not to repeat last year! I plan to eat/drink grapes on New Year’s Eve, and I will be making pork chops, black-eyed peas, and collards on New Year’s Day.

And, I will NOT be doing anything that remotely resembles work.

Happy New Year!