The Spaniards (in our province) don't do New Years Eve in public, so to speak - it's a family thing and most bars and restaurants start to close about 5pm. A lot of folks head off to Madrid, Sevilla or Barcelona where the celebrations are a bit more in keeping with other major cities. The only places open on the run up to the bells are the large hotels who put on parties for their guests.
Last year we made the mistake of wandering out to see what was happening about 8/9pm, and found the only folks on the street were tourists and drunken stragglers from the afternoon celebrations.
This year is shaping up to a bit more social
An 11am start is looking likely with the venue (or venues) yet to be decided. The majority of the ex pat friends we have here are away so its us, our Spanish teacher and her bloke plus (possibly) a German couple we know who are here on holiday. A lot of places do an all day "ticket", pay so much and its free food and drink all day. Others simply reduce their prices and in many cases provide free tapas and snacks. Its very much a daytime fiesta!
New Years day is much of the same, a family day with only the odd bar here and there open. No idea what we'll be doing then, other than getting the flat ready for our girls arriving the following day - something we're all looking forward to more than anything.
JF