New Year's Eve Traditions in the Czech Republic: From Lentils to Variety Shows
Today, I thought it would be nice to prepare for you, alongside my series on Christmas traditions, a little chat about the customs surrounding New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. While Christmas is slowly fading out, the end of the year brings a completely different energy. It’s a time for goodbyes, reflection, toasts, wishes, and quiet promises we often make to ourselves. And as it goes, traditions don’t just revolve around Christmas; they also include New Year's Eve celebrations, New Year's rituals, and small details that might change over the years, but their meaning remains the same.
So, make yourself comfortable, perhaps pour yourself a glass, and let’s look together at how we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. 🥂✨
And don't forget to read my Heartfelt New Year Wishes for you, my loyal readers.
New Year's Eve (Silvestr) in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, New Year's Eve (called Silvestr) is traditionally a time for gathering. We meet with family and friends, host parties of all sizes, and at exactly midnight, we toast to health, most often with a glass of champagne. It is the moment we say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one with hope. For many years, fireworks and firecrackers were a staple of these celebrations. Today, however, this tradition is gradually fading, mainly out of consideration for animals—both pets and wildlife. Honestly, for me, this is a step in the right direction. Additionally, many cities now have various restrictions or total bans in place, so it’s always good to be informed beforehand. Midnight wishes are also tied to the transition into the New Year. Many people make a wish at midnight, often quietly, just for themselves. Some even write their wish on a small piece of paper and symbolically burn it so it can come true. You might have also heard of "novoročenky"—a tradition where families, individuals, and companies send greeting cards before or just after the New Year, wishing luck and health for the coming year.
New Year's Day: A Public Holiday Full of Symbolism
January 1st is a public holiday in our country and is linked to a variety of customs and superstitions meant to influence what the new year will be like. "Lucky food" plays a major role. A typical New Year's dish is lentils, a symbol of abundance and money because they resemble small coins. It is often served with pork, as the pig is considered a symbol of luck and prosperity. Popular choices include roast pork, smoked meat, or various versions of sour lentils. Conversely, there are "forbidden" ingredients. One should not eat poultry so that luck doesn't "fly away," nor hare or rabbit, so that luck doesn't run away.
Superstitions, Sayings, and a Calm Start
A well-known Czech proverb is tied to New Year's Day: “Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok” (As on New Year's Day, so throughout the whole year). This is very popular in the Czech Republic, and many people try to follow it, at least symbolically. On January 1st, we try to be relaxed, cheerful, and productive, but not overwhelmed, and above all, to avoid arguments and negative moods. One of the most famous superstitions is the ban on washing and hanging laundry. According to tradition, this could bring bad luck or even illness or death to the family. Thus, this day is taken as a time for peace and rest. Many observe this New Year's rest by avoiding heavy chores. Others, however, head out for New Year's walks and trips into nature, to local hills, or lookout towers, to enter the new year actively and with a clear head.
TV Variety Shows and Classic Programs
When someone says "Silvestr," many of us recall the TV variety shows (estrády) and special programs that were once a core part of New Year's Eve. In the Czech Republic, this has a deep history dating back to the 1950s, when the festive evening broadcast was a truly exceptional event. During the socialist era, these shows were a primary form of entertainment. I remember from stories how people watched sketches with actors like Oldřich Kaiser and Jiří Lábus, or Jiřina Bohdalová and Vladimír Dvořák, along with a good dose of music and humor that entertained entire families. There were comedians and illusionists who brought that magical New Year's Eve spark—many might remember the famous show “Možná přijde i kouzelník” (Maybe a Magician Will Show Up), featuring Kaiser, Lábus, or Jiří Korn. It was essentially a musical-comedy variety show. These programs, of course, included music—traditional violin pieces, pop, and improvisations by singers and orchestras. While today's TV landscape is more fragmented, we still find special programs: on public TV (ČT), there are nostalgic shows with Vladimír Menšík or documentaries about the history of New Year's Eve to reminisce about the "good old days." Today, grand variety shows aren't as common; instead, we see a mix of archival footage and modern specials like Nova's Možné je všechno! (Anything is Possible!), which combines competitions and guests.
And today? It’s no longer the massive Silvestr from Wenceslas Square like it used to be, but everyone can choose:
- some create their own program at home with family and watch Netflix, Disney+, or HBO MAX,
- others watch specials on public television,
- some prefer familiar movies, fairy tales, or documentaries.
So, even though the format of entertainment changes, the spirit of the New Year's Eve variety show still lives on through memories, archival clips, or modern programs trying to preserve that festive year-end atmosphere.
Conclusion
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year 2026! 🎉🥂 May it be full of joy, health, love, and fulfilled dreams. Enjoy the celebrations without unnecessary worries and with a smile. Be kind to one another, love each other, and cherish the beautiful moments with family, friends, and yourself.
And one little interesting fact: Why do we call it "Silvestr"?
In the Czech Republic (and also in Germany, Austria, or Poland), the last day of the year, December 31st, is called Silvestr after Saint Pope Sylvester I, who lived in the 4th century and died on December 31, 335. His feast day in the Christian calendar falls on this day. When the Gregorian calendar was established in the 16th century and New Year's celebrations shifted to the end of the year, the name of the saint eventually became synonymous with the festive night between the old and new year. So, when we say "Silvestr," we aren't just thinking of fireworks and toasts; we are actually recalling the name of the man who has this night in his name-day calendar.
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Illustration created with ChatGPT AI.
