Welcoming the new year has become a beloved festive affair across the globe. From the countdown and age-old tradition of a ball drop at New York's Time Square to Brazil's fireworks that light up its bay, with millions dressed in white to witness the show — the celebrations know no bound.
(Image used for illustrative purpose only) Fireworks explode over Chao Phraya River during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2021 . Photos by Reuters
Dubai is itself known for its iconic fireworks around the Burj Khalifa, which spiral around the world's tallest building as the clock strikes 12, complimented by several other stunning displays across the country.
Although 2025 was a year of many accolades, it was also one with unexpected heartbreaks and loss of life, spanning from natural disasters, attacks and wars, to aviation disasters and other tragedies.
Some cities across the world are toning down their celebrations — some in wake of tragic incidents, others to ensure overall security and safety that may become compromised during such large events.
Here are the cities putting a pause on fireworks, concerts and countdowns as the world welcomes 2026, with hopes of a better tomorrow.
Sydney
Known for going all out during New Year Eve, Sydney's end-of-the-year celebrations are set to change this year in wake of the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting that claimed the lives of 15 people who were attending a Hanukkah celebration at one of Australia's most famous beaches.
The tragic incident took place after a father and son opened fire at the beach, leading to panic among the large crowd. The country's worst in over 30 years, the attack spread shockwaves throughout the global community.
In order to honour the victims, festivities at Bondi Beach have been cancelled, including the highly-anticipated elrow Bondi Beach XXL music festival. Tickets to the festival will be returned, as per event organisers.
The event promoter, Fuzzy, said the decision was made in order to keep the focus on showing "compassion and care for Sydney's Jewish community". A turnout of 15,000 attendees was expected at the venue prior to cancellation.
While areas like the iconic Sydney Harbour, Parramatta, Coogee, Manly and Liverpool will see their own fireworks, other displays have been cancelled in response to the shooting.
Sydney Harbour is set to do things differently, with heavy police presence expected in the area and more CCTV cameras monitoring crowds.
Attendees will also be given a chance to honour the victims, with the bridge expected to fall silent during the celebrations. The bridge's pylons will be lit up with the image of a dove and the word 'peace' just before 9pm, turning blue at 10pm for the support provided by mental health charity Beyond Blue in the wake of the attack.
The bridge will again be illuminated at 11pm as a minute's silence is observed during the New Year's Eve broadcast.
Jakarta, Bali
Indonesia's central government has said it will support the plans of several regions to forgo fireworks while celebrating New Year this week in solidarity with the victims of recent floods on the island of Sumatra.
Several governments and police forces, including those in the capital Jakarta and on the popular tourist island of Bali, have said they will not allow firework displays out of respect for the victims on Sumatra, where floods and landslides have killed over 1,100 people, with around 400,000 still displaced.
Police in Bali's capital of Denpasar have banned New Year's fireworks, state news agency Antara reported on Saturday. Jakarta's governor also said last week that there will be no firework displays in the city of 10 million people, and urged residents not to set any off.
Several regions on the island remain in a state of emergency as over 20 villages across the three provinces "disappeared" after being swept away by the floods.
Hong Kong
Although Hong Kong has not official revealed the reason why it is cancelling its New Year Eve fireworks, multiple local media reports suggest it could be due to the recent deadly fire that ravaged through multiple high-rise residential blocks in the city's northern Tai Po region, killing at least 160 people.
The city's government has cancelled its firework display 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".
Authorities have pointed to substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used during renovation work at the complex for the blaze that quickly spread to seven high-rise towers, home to more than 4,000 people.
Paris
The city of love, known for its dazzling and romantic celebrations, will be taking a back seat with its New Year's Eve concert on the Champs-Élysées for security reasons.
The event has been cancelled due to fear of stampedes and unrest that comes with the huge crowds at the venue. Firework display is still set to continue.
Tokyo
Shibuya Station in Tokyo, which has taken over everyone's Instagram feed with its futuristic look, is known for having a New Year's Eve countdown every year. This year, the event has been cancelled, with officials stating concern over large crowds gathering around the station, as per local media.
Shibuya's mayor also reportedly voiced concern over a rise in street drinking during that time.
Belgrade
Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, has announced it would be cancelling some events on New Year's Eve as well as Serbian New Year Eve on January 14 due to safety risk towards children.
The move comes after an announcement by Mayor Aleksandar Šapić who said he didn't want to put any children at risk as their have been many instances of people breaking through barriers and confronting concertgoers, which many times are girls between the ages of 13-15.
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Laraib Anwer
Laraib Anwer is a Digital Journalist who loves the thrill of breaking headlines almost as much as sh...