Why Some New Year’s Celebrations Are Being Cancelled or Changed in 2025–2026

As the world approaches the end of 2025, several cities and events around the globe have either cancelled major New Year’s Eve festivities or significantly altered their plans, often citing public safety, heightened security risks, and concerns following recent violent attacks

As the world prepares to welcome 2026, several cities and regions have altered or cancelled New Year’s Eve events this year — not just because of weather or logistics, but as part of heightened public safety planning and evolving risk assessments.

 What’s Changed for New Year’s Eve 2025/2026

Major celebrations across the globe are adapting in various ways this season:

Cities Cancelling or Scaling Back Events

• Belgrade, Serbia
  Authorities have announced that official New Year’s celebrations in Republic Square will not be hosted this year, citing security concerns from past public safety incidents. Instead, many locals have marked the transition quietly or with small gatherings. 

• Paris, France
  The traditional Champs-Élysées New Year’s Eve concert has been cancelled this year. Fireworks and other secure displays are still planned in the city, but the large open-street party format has been dropped to reduce risk and crowd pressures. 

• Hong Kong
  The city’s famed Victoria Harbour fireworks have been scrapped for 2025, with the official countdown relocated to safer, more controlled spaces in Central. 

• Sydney, Australia (Bondi Beach)
  Major planned New Year’s Eve events at Bondi Beach have been cancelled after recent tragic incidents in the area. 

  
  

Events Proceeding but With New Rules

Some regions are keeping celebrations on — but with changes:

• Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia
  Officials have cancelled fireworks displays this year out of respect for communities affected by recent disasters, though other New Year festivities will continue. 

• Monaco
  The tiny but vibrant principality has banned private fireworks and placed stricter controls on New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics, focusing on professional and permitted displays only. 

  
  

 Other Global Changes and Safety Measures

While some cities cancel or change events, others are increasing security and safety planning rather than full cancellations:

• Several European and Asian cities are trimming back traditional large public parties and imposing crowd limits. 

• Weather-related cancellations continue to affect events in other parts of the world — like the UK in earlier years — though this season’s shifts are primarily linked to public safety decisions.

  
  

  
  

What This Means for 2026

The global picture for New Year’s celebrations in 2025/26 shows a mix of traditions continuing, events being adapted, and some large-scale gatherings being cancelled. Local authorities are balancing the desire for celebration with public safety priorities, crowd control, and respect for recent events in their communities.

Whether you’re planning to celebrate at home or attend an event, check local updates and safety guidelines — many cities are publishing changes just weeks before New Year’s Eve.