Germany’s New Year’s Eve celebration is commonly called Silvester after Saint Sylvester’s feast day. In German, New Year’s Eve is Silvester, and the name is also used for the evening’s parties, fireworks and public festivities.
Saint Sylvester I was bishop of Rome and died on December 31, 335. His feast day later became associated with that date in Western Christianity, which helps explain why several European languages use forms of his name for New Year’s Eve. The German usage does not mean the celebration is a religious service dedicated exclusively to him.
German Silvester customs include midnight fireworks, sparkling wine, lucky symbols and the traditional lead-pouring practice known as Bleigießen, although modern versions may use safer wax or tin. The earlier custom of watching the British comedy sketch “Dinner for One” is also strongly associated with German New Year’s Eve television.