The Spanish town that celebrates New Year's Eve in August

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The Spanish town that celebrates New Year's Eve in August
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Warm-up

When do you celebrate New Year?

Vocabulary Match

traditions -   - power cut
undeterred -   - not stopped
outage -   - gather
beloved -   - a sweet
nougat -   - customs
flock -   - cherished

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In Bérchules, a charming town in Granada, Spain, New Year's Eve is unlike anywhere else. Since 1994, they've been celebrating it in August! This unusual tradition started when a power ________ spoiled their New Year's Eve in December. ________, the townspeople decided to celebrate it on the first weekend of August instead.

Now, more than 10,000 people ________ to Bérchules each year for this unique celebration. They enjoy all the typical New Year's festivities - jamón, nativity scenes, ________, music, and, of course, the midnight grapes. The town buzzes with excitement, with parades, night parties, and even a traditional "paseo de la borriquilla" parade, bringing a festive spirit to the warm summer nights.

Bérchules' New Year in August is more than a party. It mixes old ________ with new ideas, showing how a bit of bad luck can lead to a unique and ________ celebration.

Quiz

  1. Where is Bérchules located?
  2. When did the tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve in August start in Bérchules?
  3. How many people usually visit Bérchules for this celebration?

True or False

  1. The townspeople decided to celebrate New Year's Eve in autumn.  T  |  F
  2. The summer New Year's Eve tradition started due to a power outage.  T  |  F
  3. People enjoy turkey, cake, presents, and Mariah Carey.  T  |  F

Conversation

A: Did you know people Bérchules eat grapes at midnight?
B: Oh, for New Year, right? I heard something about that.
A: It's their New Year celebration, moved from December.
B: What? New Year in August? That's unusual!
A: I know! They eat twelve grapes, one on each bell strike.
B: Really? That's interesting. I'd love to try that!

Discussion

  1. Would you like to visit Bérchules for the summer New Year?
  2. How do you usually celebrate New Year?
  3. Do you usually make a New Year's resolution?
  4. Have you ever celebrated an event on a different day?

True Story Answers

In Bérchules, a charming town in Granada, Spain, New Year's Eve is unlike anywhere else. Since 1994, they've been celebrating it in August! This unusual tradition started when a power outage spoiled their New Year's Eve in December. Undeterred, the townspeople decided to celebrate it on the first weekend of August instead.

Now, more than 10,000 people flock to Bérchules each year for this unique celebration. They enjoy all the typical New Year's festivities - jamón, nativity scenes, nougat, music, and, of course, the midnight grapes. The town buzzes with excitement, with parades, night parties, and even a traditional "paseo de la borriquilla" parade, bringing a festive spirit to the warm summer nights.

Bérchules' New Year in August is more than a party. It mixes old traditions with new ideas, showing how a bit of bad luck can lead to a unique and beloved celebration.

Vocabulary Answers

outage → power cut
undeterred → not stopped
flock → gather
nougat → a sweet
traditions → customs
beloved → cherished

Quiz Answers

  1. Bérchules is located in Granada, Spain.
  2. The tradition started in 1994.
  3. More than 10,000 people usually visit Bérchules for this celebration.

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Further Reading

https://www.idealista.com/en/news/lifestyle-spain/2018/07/20/6132-berchules-town-celebrates-new-year-august

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ESL Lessons: True Stories