Six Quirky Leap Year Traditions From Around the World to Celebrate the Extra Day in 2024
Every four years, a quirk of the earth’s orbit gives us an extra day, February 29. Julius Caesar introduced leap years more than 2,000 years ago to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical and seasonal year, and with it now comes many weird and wonderful traditions. With 2024 being a Leap Year, and with experiencing a different culture the motivation to travel for nearly two thirds (63%)* of travelers, we have unearthed some quirky customs from around the world unique to a selection of top travel destinations. From serving up pig trotters in Taiwan to floating across Texas in a hot air balloon, adventurous travelers can connect more deeply with a country’s culture with these bespoke traditions.
Kildare, Ireland
Less than an hour’s drive from the Irish capital of Dublin lies the county of Kildare and, while renowned for hosting iconic horse racing events, it’s also known for birthing the leap year tradition of women proposing to men. It goes without saying that there are no rules about who asks who to marry them these days, but this custom is believed to date back to 5th century Ireland when Saint Brigid of Kildare complained maidens had to wait too long for men to propose, so a day known as ‘Ladies Privilege’ was declared where women were allowed to get down on one knee, and the practice quickly spread across Europe and beyond. Today, Kildare offers travelers an opportunity to step outside of the norm, with its rich Irish mythology, ancient churches and famous horse racing festivals. Take a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Tour from Dublin along the Wild Atlantic Way to explore the iconic cliffs and this bohemian city, or take advantage of the exciting nightlife Dublin has to offer on a Pub Crawl Adventure.
Where to stay: The Rooms at Cunningham's are situated in the heart of Kildare, a stone’s throw away from St. Brigid’s Cathedral and a short drive to the world-renowned Curragh Racecourse. A traditional pub well known for its live Irish music and friendly atmosphere, visitors will be greeted by welcoming staff and a large open fire. What’s more, the snug restaurant at this guesthouse serves delicious Thai cuisine from Phuket noodles to Bangkok beef and offers plenty of vegetarian options.
Anthony, Texas, United States
Head stateside for a unique leap year festival in the Texas-New Mexico border town of Anthony, now the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capital of the World. Every four years, ‘Leapers,’ those born on February 29, gather here from around the world to celebrate their rare birth date with an extended festival full of live music, local food and frivolity. The festivities this year include an exclusive Leap Day celebration for Leapers on February 29, followed by a two-day festival at the Ernie Rascon Memorial Park with parades, hot air balloon rides and stalls serving enchiladas and tamales. Outside of the party, travelers can explore the wider El Paso county and its host of museums, farmers markets and microbreweries, learning about the region’s indigenous communities through its art and food. An interactive El Paso Scavenger Hunt allows visitors to solve riddles and complete quests to discover attractions including Los Murales, the beautiful hand painted murals and one of the region’s cultural treasures.
Where to stay: Visitors can ensure the fun doesn’t stop at the Best Western Anthony/West El Paso, a brisk walk to Ernie Rascon Memorial Park, and a short drive to Sunland Park Race Track. This desert hotel features an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a gym, and upgraded rooms have in-room whirlpool tubs. With comfortable beds and a free breakfast buffet, morning newspaper and parking, guests are certain to feel at home here.
Traben-Trarbach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
In southwest Germany, in the Rhineland-Palatinate state, there’s an age-old tradition where lovestruck boys place the gift of a small birch tree decorated with ribbons on the doorstep of their crush on the eve of May Day (the first Monday in May). But during a leap year, girls can do the same and leave them at the door of the boy of their dreams instead. For hopeless romantics, Traben-Trarbach is a charming wine town along the Mosel River in the Rhineland region ready to woo travelers with its treasure trove of attractions. In addition to rolling vineyards and breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley, visitors can explore its castle ruins, fine Jugendstil architecture and unique city gate. Alternatively, enjoy a Koblenz Guided tour of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress near the Mosel River, offering travelers a chance to explore this famous fortress situated on the northern point of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
Where to stay: Enjoy a beautiful stay at LOFT17 Neu Luxus-Loft Design Klima 2-4 Personen apartment which features a balcony with breathtaking river views, and is ideal for both lovebirds and families. The spacious apartment has two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area, as well as facilities for disabled guests and free parking. With sustainability high on the agenda, this eco-friendly property offers guests an electric car charging station, recycling bins and offsets a portion of its carbon footprint.
Taichung, Taiwan
It’s not an auspicious time for the older generation in Taiwan, with the belief that they are more likely to die during a leap year. To increase their chance of survival, it’s customary for daughters to cook up pig trotter noodles for their parents – a dish said to bring good health and fortune – with the noodles served long and uncut to symbolize longevity. In Taichung, pork trotter noodle shops can be found near temples, where superstition dictates that the bowl needs to be turned around before diners can tuck in, to represent a complete turn of luck. This vibrant city on the west coast of Taiwan is a melting pot of both culinary and cultural delights. Head to Bib Gourmand eatery Fu Din Wang which specializes in pig trotters sourced from local farms and braised in a soy-based marinade, or the famous Fengjia Night Market offers nocturnal noodles and other local delicacies from stinky tofu to fried ice cream. Other must-visits include the Gaomei wetlands which are especially photogenic at sunset and the HouFeng Bikeway, a scenic 2.8-mile (4.5km) route along an old railway track and the Dajia River Bridge.
Where to stay: Hip hostel OLAH Poshtel - Taichung is just a short walk to Fu Din Wang and Taichung train station for easy access to the rest of the city. Private rooms are available as well as relaxed dorms that feature partially enclosed beds with privacy curtains and reading lights. Just a short drive to the famous Fengjia Night Market, and bicycles are also available for guests to rent to explore this vast city in a more sustainable way.
London, United Kingdom
February 29 is the perfect occasion to raise a toast to the leap year, and travelers can celebrate in style with a cocktail tradition in London. In 1928, Harry Craddock, a bartender who worked at the Savoy, invented a cocktail to mark the hotel’s Leap Day celebrations. Made of gin, orange liqueur, sweet vermouth and a dash of lemon juice, this bittersweet drink is now said to be responsible for more proposals than any cocktail ever created. Today, visitors can head to this timeless hotel and its historic American Bar, the oldest surviving cocktail bar in the UK, to taste both vintage and new concoctions. London serves up experiences for everyone from world-class museums to captivating West End shows, all close to this exclusive hotel. Travelers can continue the drinks trajectory on a Gin-themed Afternoon Tea Bus Tour from Trafalgar Square to view iconic landmarks from a vintage bus alongside gin-infused drinks and cakes. For a more sober affair, book an Admission to the London Eye, an observation wheel which reaches a height of 443 feet (135m), and savor panoramic views of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Where to stay: With its sense of tradition and age-defying glamor, visitors can celebrate Leap Day at The Savoy where this heady cocktail was invented. Situated on the banks of the Thames, this luxury landmark hotel dating from the 1880s is just a short walk to the London Eye and Covent Garden. Elegant Edwardian rooms feature silk wallpaper and marble bathrooms and guests will love the winter garden gazebo where afternoon tea is served to piano accompaniment. Renowned for its friendly staff and exceptional service, the interiors of this lavish Booking.com Travel Proud hotel are as warm as the welcome guests are guaranteed.
Paris, France
Trend setters in France have their own, unique leap year tradition. First published in 1980, La Bougie du Sapeur is a satirical French newspaper that only comes out every four years hitting the newsstands on February 29, which makes it the least frequently published newspaper of all time. The name comes from an old French comic book character who was born on Leap Day, and what began as a joke between two friends has now become a cultural phenomenon. The French capital with its monument-lined boulevards, masterpiece-filled museums and modern multimedia galleries is completely absorbing. If travelers aren’t too engrossed in La Bougie du Sapeur, they can invest in a City Sightseeing Cruise along the River Seine aboard a trimaran boat to view famous landmarks from the Louvre to Notre Dame Cathedral. Alternatively, with a convenient car rental from Paris, enjoy an Admission to Disneyland® Paris offering unlimited rollercoaster rides, thrilling attractions and entertaining shows to celebrate the extra day this year.
Where to stay: Live the high life at the five-star SO/ Paris Hotel, ideally located in the heart of Paris with quick links to the Gare de Lyon station and Notre Dame Cathedral. This modern-luxe hotel gives local artists a platform to display their talents with public spaces full of major contemporary artworks, and features vast windows with impressive views over the Seine. Well-equipped facilities include a heated indoor pool, wellness center and lavish spa, as well as a restaurant, club and bar that occupy the building’s top two floors.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.