In German-speaking countries, New Year's Eve is traditionally called Silvester, honoring Pope Sylvester I. His feast day is December 31, the date on which he died in 335, so his name became attached to the final day of the year.
The term is used in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other places where German is spoken, although local celebrations and vocabulary differ. German New Year customs include fireworks, fortune-telling traditions, festive meals, and the televised sketch Dinner for One.
Silvester is a calendar name rather than a separate religious holiday created for modern countdowns. It is also spelled Sylvester in some languages and contexts. The name should not be confused with Sylvester Stallone or with the Roman festival Saturnalia.