What is the traditional name for New Year's Eve in France, when a festive dinner is called a réveillon?

Saint Sylvester's Day is the traditional name for New Year's Eve in France, when a festive dinner is called a réveillon.

The day is named for Pope Sylvester I, whose feast day falls on December 31 in the Western Christian calendar. In French usage, people may call New Year's Eve la Saint-Sylvestre, while the evening meal itself is known as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre.

A réveillon is a long, celebratory meal shared on a major festival eve. Menus vary by household and region, but festive French New Year's tables may include oysters, foie gras, champagne, smoked salmon, or elaborate desserts. These foods are customary rather than mandatory.

The name is sometimes mistaken for the English phrase “New Year's Eve,” but it refers specifically to the saint's day and its associated celebration. France also observes January 1 as New Year's Day, while public customs differ between Paris, other cities, and rural areas.