New Year's Eve in Rhineland-Palatinate: traditions that welcome the new year!

On December 31, 2024, New Year's Eve will be celebrated again in Rhineland-Palatinate, and the focus is on diverse traditions at the turn of the year. In Germany, typical customs such as raclette, the famous piece "Dinner for One" and a spectacular fireworks are part of the celebrations.

A special highlight in Mainz is the New Year's Eve in the Rhine, in which around 200 firefighters take part. The event begins at 10 a.m., ceremoniously opened by Mayor Nino Haase. The swimmers cover a distance of half a kilometer downstream, accompanied by lifeboats. Around 400 spectators watch on the bank. The proceeds from snacks and drinks benefit the early start of Mainz in order to emphasize the important role of the fire brigade in the water rescue.

traditions and celebrations in the country

Another custom is maintained in Mayen-Hausen: the New Year's ride, in which up to 40 horses and riders circle the church of St. New Year's Eve. This tradition has been alive for centuries and goes back to an event from the 4th century with Pope New Year's Eve I.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, numerous New Year's Eve runs also take place. The 35th New Year's Eve run is held in Trier, with over 2,500 participants from more than 30 nations, including the well -known athletes Gesa Krause and Samuel Fitwi. Montabaur goes into its 25th edition of the New Year's Run, to which up to 2,000 participants are expected. In Kottweiler-Schwanden, the 49th New Year's Eve run also takes place over ten kilometers.

A special custom in Winningen stipulates that godchildren receive gifts on January 1: boys get a horse while girls get a pastoral wreath. However, the New Year's diving in Ingelheim is canceled because the banks of the Rhine is considered a blocking zone because of the African swine plague.

On January 1, the New Year's parade of the Mainz Garden also starts at 11:11 a.m. with around 1,100 participants, including 400 musicians. The move is completed with a New Year's concert on the cathedral. Rose Monday falls on March 3 this year.

In addition, New Year's Eve traditions play an important role worldwide. So many customs help to celebrate the past and to greet the new. In the United States, for example, the “ball drop” is being followed by millions of people on Times Square in New York. At home there are alternatives such as balloons that are filled with confetti and burst at midnight, or piñatas that are beaten by the guests.

For more information on New Year's Traditions from all over the world, glamor.de href = "https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/traditionen-2024-2025-silvester-neujahr-100.html"> swr.de offers detailed insights into the specific customs in Rhineland-Palatinate.