It is a recent but thriving tradition: it began in 1999 as a simple farewell to university friends in Salamanca before returning home for Christmas and now it is a massive party. Around 20,000 people - mostly young people - ate 12 jelly beans this midnight with the bells ringing early in Salamanca's Plaza Mayor.
At 7:00 p.m. the first people began to arrive at the square checkpoints, where they were given a small package with twelve jelly beans in the shape of green, red and yellow grapes for the twelve chimes of the clock in the emblematic baroque square. From 8:00 p.m., different DJs livened up the wait.
The maximum capacity is 20,000 people and the Salamanca Hospitality Association, promoter of the event, expected to fill this year, after in the previous edition "there was still some space left", according to its president, Jorge Carlos Moro. The Association has estimated that the economic impact of this celebration is around 3.7 million euros annually in the city, with an impact on the hospitality sector but also on commerce, transportation or the hotels where some of them stay. arrived from other provinces.
After the jelly grapes, the party continued. The opening permit is extended by one hour during the so-called University New Year's Eve: bars until 5 in the morning and clubs until 6:30.
