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For many, ringing in the New Year is all about witnessing the fantastic fireworks displays. In fact, the fireworks displays in Sydney, Paris and New York are known the world over, with hundreds of foreigners flocking these locations to watch the festivities.
But 2026 will be a bit different; some places are foregoing their celebrations, while others are scaling back the festivities in light of the circumstances. Many places are choosing quieter commemorations for the New Year.
We take a closer look at how this New Year may be a bit quieter and a bit calmer.
Australia’s Sydney to honour Bondi Beach victims
For many, fireworks on New Year’s is associated with the dazzling display at Sydney. Each year, fireworks are launched from barges in Port Jackson, as well as nearby landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In fact, the practice began in 1976, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge being used for the first time in 1986. And over the years, Sydney’s New Year’s fireworks display became one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced.
However, 2026, will be a more solemn event. When the clock strikes 9 pm, local time, on New Year’s Eve, the Harbour Bridge pylons will glow white with the image of a dove and a single word: Peace. At 11 pm, the entire bridge will be illuminated in white light as the city pauses for a minute of silence to remember the 15 lives lost in the Bondi Beach tragedy.
Meanwhile, the celebrations at Bondi Beach have been cancelled. Event organisers said the decision was made to show “compassion and care for Sydney’s Jewish community”.
Hong Kong to ring in 2026 without fireworks
Another location known around the world for its New Year’s fireworks display is Hong Kong, held every year over Victoria Harbour.
But, this year, Hong Kong will have no fireworks display. While the Hong Kong Tourism Board didn’t provide a reason for the decision, it mostly comes about in light of the recent fire at Tai Po last month. Officials said an alternative countdown event will “convey positive energy, care and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors,” replacing the traditional firework spectacle.
Hong Kong was stunned by the fire in late November that killed at least 160 people. The inferno stoked a level of public anger not seen before.
No New Year’s countdown at Japan’s Shibuya
Hundreds of people throng Japan’s Shibuya ward to witness the year-end countdown event. However, the Shibuya ward has announced that it’s cancelled the 2026 NYE countdown festivities at Shibuya Station.
In addition to cancelled festivities, the beloved Hachiko statue will also be fenced off to reduce congestion, starting from 6 am on December 31 until 1 am on January 1, 2026.
Shibuya has scrapped its celebrations since the Covid-19 pandemic. In the subsequent years, Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe said that festivities were scrapped to curb “rowdy behaviour” and “incidents caused by street drinking”.
Indonesia to forego New Year festivities
Indonesia will ring in the New Year without fireworks, as the government and regional authorities move to honour the victims of devastating floods and landslides that have swept across Sumatra, killing more than 1,100 people and displacing hundreds of thousands.
Tourists spots such as Jakarta and Bali have said that they will not allow any firework displays out of respect for the victims in Sumatra.
Prasetyo Hadi, spokesman for President Prabowo Subianto’s office, told reports that the government believes it is correct for regional governments to ban fireworks or urge people not to set them off during the celebrations.
No New Year’s party at Paris’ Champs-Élysées
Paris, which usually rings in the New Year with a fireworks display at the Champs-Élysées, will be quiet this year. According to reports, the New Year’s Eve celebrations have been cancelled with authorities saying that managing a massive public gathering has become difficult amid ongoing challenges linked to illegal immigration.
Fireworks will still illuminate the Arc de Triomphe, but revellers have been urged to stay home and watch the display.
Russia scales back celebrations amid war
Many parts of Russia have also cancelled or scaled back New Year’s celebrations, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Most public festivities have been cancelled in the republics of Khakassia, Tyva, Bashkortostan, Buryatia and Chuvashia, as well as in the Vologda, Saratov and Leningrad regions, the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions and annexed Crimea.
“While our sons, brothers and fathers are on the front line, our main task is to be with them in our thoughts and deeds, not in noisy celebrations,” Tyva’s regional head Vladislav Khovalyg was quoted as telling The Moscow Times. He argued that large-scale New Year’s events, including corporate parties and fireworks displays would be unethical while Russian troops are fighting in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
As people begin their countdown, we wish all our readers a very Happy New Year and hope that the coming year is one of peace and calm.
With inputs from agencies
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