What is New Year's Eve commonly called in Germany?

New Year's Eve is commonly called Silvester in Germany.

The German name refers to Saint Sylvester I, whose feast day falls on December 31. German-speaking communities use Silvester for the evening and celebration leading into January 1, while Neujahr means New Year or New Year’s Day. The term is also used in Austria and parts of Switzerland.

German Silvester celebrations often include parties, midnight fireworks, sparkling wine, and the sharing of good-luck symbols. The phrase “Guten Rutsch” is commonly used before the new year and functions as a New Year greeting, although its exact linguistic origin is debated.

The name is religious in origin, but contemporary Silvester celebrations are generally secular and social. Saint Sylvester’s association with the date comes from the calendar rather than from a story that he created the celebration. This distinction helps separate the German term from names for other winter festivals, such as Christmas or carnival.