Ecuador and 'La Quema de los Años Viejos': This is a purification tradition people in Ecuador and other countries do in order to start next year without bad luck or negative energy.
Japan and the Mountain Demon Namahage: The goal of this character is to encourage young children to obey their parents and to behave. Parents know who the Namahage actors are each year and might request them to teach specific lessons to their children during their visit. The Namahage repeat the lessons to the children before leaving the house.
Romania and the Dance of the 40 Bears: The bears banish demons from houses and farmyards and wishes a happy New Year.
Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Perú, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and the '12 Grapes': The tradition consists of eating a grape with each bell strike at midnight of December 31. Each grape carries an intention the eater thinks he will have to perform and achieve next year in order to improve his quality life and increase hapiness.
Latin America and 'Las Maletas': After eating the 12 grapes, people take their bags and some luggage and run around the block in order to have a lot of leisure trips over the next year.
Peru and the Takanakuy: During Christmas and New Year, Men and women fight each other in order to solve their differences.
And more strange, and not so strange, New Year's traditions from around the world: