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By Jasmine Laws
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A number of countries have canceled their New Year's Eve celebrations this year for a wide range of reasons.
In some cases, countries have opted to cancel certain aspects of the celebrations because of concerns with the potential risks of large crowds and the safety of civilians. In others, events have been modified, changed or scaled down in order to show respect to those impacted by certain recent incidents.
Why It Matters
While New Year's Eve is usually associated with huge firework displays, a night of events and activities, and general merriment, it is also a night when crime rates are known to surge.
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In the U.S., the FBI recently uncovered a New Year's Eve bombing plot in Los Angeles, whereby improvised exploding devices were intended to be used on five separate locations, and the FBI has now arrested four gang members in relation to the plot.
Meanwhile in Turkey, authorities detained 115 people suspected of planning to carry out Islamic State-linked terrorist attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.
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The Countries Cancelling New Year's Eve Celebrations
Bali
The Denpasar City Government in Bali has canceled its firework display and concert for New Year’s Eve 2026, according to the outlet socialexpat.net, in order to show respect to those who have recently been impacted by natural disasters in the country.
However, it will still be running a number of cultural activities to celebrate the New Year, per the report.
Belgrade
Certain celebrations for New Year's Eve and the Serbian New Year's Eve on January 14 have been canceled in Belgrade after the Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić said he did not want to put any children at risk during the musical concerts, according to local news outlet b92.
Earlier this month, at a press conference held at the Old Palace, the mayor said, per the outlet, that most of the attendees at the concert were girls aged 13 to 15, and that in previous years, people have tried to break through the barriers and "confront" concertgoers.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has canceled its traditional firework display for New Year's Eve this year and instead an alternative countdown event will be taking place, which it said would "convey positive energy, care and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors."
While the government has not mentioned why the celebrations have changed, some local outlets have suggested it could be because of the recent Tai Po fire which tore through a number of high-rise buildings, killing at least 160 people.
Jakarta
The Jakarta Provincial Government confirmed the 2026 New Year’s Eve fireworks display was canceled on Friday, according to the outlet socialexpat.net, and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo reportedly said this was to show empathy for "our brothers and sisters in Sumatra," who were recently hit by a 6.6 magnitude earthquake.
The governor also reportedly said that there would still be some New Year celebrations, but that they would be modest to show respect.
Monaco
Monaco has introduced a number of new measures that will enforce strict rules on fireworks over New Year's Eve, imposing a blanket ban on the transfer, possession, transport and use of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices throughout the state from noon on December 31, 2025, until noon on January 11, 2026, according to local news outlet news.mc.
Per the outlet, the decision was made due to concerns over public safety, fire risks and others, but there may still be firework displays happening on New Year's Eve that are expressly authorized by the government.
Paris
In Paris, the concert planned for New Year's Eve this year has been canceled, according to the local news outlet sortiraparis.com, which the outlet said was under the request of the Paris police prefecture over concerns with security.
The police reportedly asked the mayor to cancel the concert to reduce the risk of stampedes and unrest due to the huge crowds that typically attend the Champs-Elysées concert.
There will still be a firework display, though, so not all celebrations have been canceled.
Sydney
New Year's Eve fireworks have been canceled in Sydney this year after the mass shooting on Bondi Beach. The display was set to draw 15,000 people to Bondi Beach.
Waverley Council confirmed the events were canceled, saying that: "Due to the current situation on the ground, Waverley Council has made the decision to cancel New Year's Eve events at Bondi Beach, including elrow XXL Bondi and Local's Lawn," as reported by Sky News.
Per the outlet, the event promoter, Fuzzy, also said the decision was made in order to keep the focus on showing "compassion and care for Sydney's Jewish community."
Tokyo
The New Year's Eve countdown event held in front of Shibuya Station in Tokyo has been canceled this year, after officials said that they were concerned about the large crowds gathering around the station, according to local news outlet Japan Today.
Per the outlet, Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe also voiced concerns about the possible ramifications of street drinking.
Update 12/24/25, 6:18 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include Monaco.
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