In German-speaking traditions, New Year's Eve is called Silvester, honoring Pope Sylvester I.
Pope Sylvester I was a fourth-century bishop of Rome who died on December 31, 335. His feast day falls on December 31, so German and several other European languages use a form of his name for the final day of the year. In German, the celebration is commonly called Silvester.
German New Year's Eve customs have included fireworks, festive meals, fortune-telling games, and the traditional toast “Guten Rutsch,” meaning a good slide or a good start into the new year. Television programs and public celebrations also make the evening a major annual event.
The name does not mean that Pope Sylvester invented New Year's Eve festivities. It comes from the calendar placement of his feast day. In English, the evening is normally called New Year's Eve, which is why the German term can be unfamiliar to international audiences.