What is German and Bavarian New Year’s like?

Last week, we took a look at German and Bavarian Christmas traditions, and the differences between the two. And now that Christmas is out of the way (Merry Christmas!), it’s time to take a look at how they celebrate New Year’s.

Everywhere in Germany, New Year’s has another name: Saint Sylvester – Silvester – since it is his name day. Nevertheless, the transition from one year into the next is the important thing, and just like here in the UK, German and Bavarian New Year’s is deeply reliant on alcohol, especially fizzy wines around midnight and, more generally, beer.

One thing to note about New Year’s in Germany generally is that, since they don’t have Guy Fawkes night, New Year’s Eve is the time of year to crazy for fireworks. And because Germans are lacking a sense of health and safety, they really do go “crazy”. If you are faint of heart, or simply fancy getting through New Year’s without a visit to a (spotless) German casualty ward, stay off the streets and keep your windows closed.

Apart from that, you’ll find that Munich is a great place to welcome in the New Year, with big street parties and lots of pubs and clubs open all night long. The city also puts on an amazing fireworks display.

If you’re celebrating at home with Germans, you’ll be introduced to a few other traditions like watching an old, forgotten piece of British music hall culture in the form of Dinner for One and eating from a raclette. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get to witness further German flame-related craziness in the form of the Feuerzangenbowle, a kind of mulled wine/Glühwein pepped up with burning rum… Alles Gute zum Neuen Jahr!