Strange New Year traditions around the world From great balls of fire, to possums, grape-eating and animal whispering, we reveal the world's weirdest New Year customs. Great balls of fire, Scotland In Stonehaven, Scotland, there is a custom of parading through the streets on New Year's Eve while swinging blazing balls of fire around. The tradition is part of Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations, although its roots trace back to the Vikings.