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The Best New Year's Eve Celebrations in Germany

December 28th 2018

By The Culture Trip

The love that many Germans have for boisterous public parties and celebrations is evident in many German festivals, and it comes as no surprise that the country boasts some of the most spectacular public New Year’s Eve (Germans call it “Silvester”) celebrations in Europe. Silvester is actually the religious name for the day, named after Saint Sylvester a pope who died in 335AD on the 31st December.
Enough of the history though, since most people in Germany actually don’t even know why it is called Silvester’s day, it is now just all part of the New Year custom and is common across much of continental Europe.

Germany, like many countries, has definitely gotten into the habit of big celebrations ever since the turn of the Millennium, and now celebrates in style with parties across the city and fireworks displays along the river.

Across the country, millions of people brave midnight’s freezing temperatures to ring in the New Year beneath a sky crackling with spectacular fireworks. Here is our pick of the German cities that pull out all stops to welcome the New Year in style.

Berlin

Germany’s capital city shows the rest of the continent how it’s really done! The biggest, the snazziest, and the most bombastic New Year’s Eve street party in Europe is held at the Brandenburg Gate starting December 30 and continuing till the morning of January 1. There are live performances, DJs, and stunning light and music shows, culminating in a breathtaking firework show as the New Year rolls in. Between the historic Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column, over a million people witness this spectacle, most hanging around till the wee hours of the morning. Entry is free. In addition to this display, the entire city is bathed in light on Silvester, fireworks are set off from various points, and most clubs hold pulsating parties.

Frankfurt

On New Year’s Eve each year, the brisk business city of Frankfurt transforms into a magical land. If there is one activity in Frankfurt that beats standing on one of the bridges on the River Main and watching the sky exploding with fireworks that reflect off the river, it’s taking a river cruise and being right in the center of the brilliant play of light. Hundreds of thousands of people throng the banks of the river, the Old Opera House, and Romerberg Marketplace in search of the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the fireworks.

The fireworks normally start sometime after 11:30pm and go past midnight (obviously!) but if you want a good spot then get there early. Some people stake out their spot and wait for a couple of hours with food and drink. The banks of the river are ok, but the best spots are definitely the bridges or in front of the Alte Oper. These will be crowded though so if you get late to the bridge, there will be no where to see from unless you are tall… A really cool idea is to book a ride on one of the large river boats. This is guaranteed to give you an amazing view as well as food and drink to party all night. If you are lucky you can still book a place with Primus.