Meaning & Origin
In Germany, New Year’s Day is known as Neujahrstag. It’s a day of rest and reflection following the boisterous celebrations of New Year’s Eve, or Silvester. This secular holiday marks the start of a new calendar year and is widely celebrated worldwide. The name “Silvester” comes from Pope Sylvester I, whose feast day is celebrated on December 31st. German traditions for New Year’s Eve are full of folklore and customs believed to bring luck and prosperity for the coming year. This includes practices like Bleigießen (lead pouring), where molten lead is dropped into cold water to form shapes that are then “read” to predict the future. A horseshoe or a cloverleaf shape, for instance, symbolizes good fortune. A less common but still practiced tradition is to leave some food on your plate after midnight to ensure a full pantry in the coming year.
New Year’s Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 1 in 2025, and the following year, in 2026, it will take place on Thursday, January 1.
| Year | Date | Applicable States |
| 2025 | January 1 (Wednesday) | All States |
| 2026 | January 1 (Thursday) | All States |
How it’s Observed
As a nationwide public holiday, schools, offices, banks, and most shops are closed. Public transport may run on a reduced schedule. The day is generally quiet, as most people are recovering from the previous night’s festivities. The main events take place on New Year’s Eve. Celebrations can be large, with massive fireworks displays in cities like Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate, or small, with private parties at home. The tradition of watching the classic British comedy sketch “Dinner for One” on television has become a quirky and beloved part of the German New Year’s Eve experience, despite it being largely unknown in the UK. On New Year’s Day itself, families and friends might gather for a leisurely brunch, often featuring leftovers from the Christmas or New Year’s Eve feasts. Many also tune in to watch the annual New Year’s Day Concert from Vienna, a televised tradition of classical music.
Vacation Planning
Since it falls on January 1st, New Year’s Day always creates a long weekend if it lands on a Friday or a Monday. This makes it an ideal time for a short winter getaway, a ski trip to the Alps, or a city break. However, travelers should be aware that many businesses, especially outside of major tourist hubs, will be closed. It’s also important to book accommodations and transport well in advance, as this is a popular time for both domestic and international travel.
| Vacation Dates | Used Paid leave | Included holiday | Total vacation days | Applicable States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd – 24th Dec 2025, 29th – 31st Dec 2025, 2nd Jan 2026 | 7 | 25th Dec 2025, 26th Dec 2025, 1st Jan 2026 | 16 days | All states |
| 22nd – 24th Dec 2025, 29th – 31st Dec 2025, 2nd Jan 2026, 5th Jan 2026 | 8 | 25th Dec 2025, 26th Dec 2025, 1st Jan 2026, 6th Jan 2026 | 18 days | Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Saxony-Anhalt |
| 22nd – 24th 2025, 29th – 31st Dec 2025, 2nd Jan 2026, 5th Jan 2026, 7th – 9th Jan 2026 | 11 | 25th Dec 2025, 26th Dec 2025, 1st Jan 2026, 6th Jan 2026 | 23 days | Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Saxony-Anhalt |