New Year's Eve plans for tens of thousands of revellers have been thrown into disarray as authorities across the world cancel major public celebrations. The sweeping cancellations, driven by heightened safety fears ranging from terror threats to crowd crushes, mark a sombre end to 2025 for many global cities.
Security Scares and Solemn Tributes
The decision to scale back festivities follows a series of security incidents and recent tragedies. In Los Angeles, the FBI uncovered a planned bombing attack, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Audrey Illeene Carroll (30), Zachary Aaron Page (32), Dante Gaffield (24), and Tina Lai (41) were all taken into custody after drone surveillance footage allegedly showed them attempting to assemble an explosive device. Despite this, official events in the city are proceeding as planned.
In Sydney, the shadow of December's devastating Bondi Beach shooting, which killed 15 and injured 40, looms large. In a move of "compassion and care for Sydney's Jewish community," Waverley Council cancelled the popular New Year's fireworks display at Bondi Beach, along with the elrow XXL Bondi and Local's Lawn events. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the ongoing threat of antisemitism, stating many in the Jewish community still do not feel safe. While Sydney Harbour's iconic fireworks will continue, a moment's silence will be observed to honour the Bondi victims.
Authoritarian Curbs and Public Safety Measures
In Russia, the Kremlin has extended its wartime restrictions to New Year's Eve with unprecedented severity. For a fourth consecutive year, the historic fireworks display over Moscow's Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral has been scrapped, with the square itself closed and policed. State media reports that at least 64 of Russia's 89 regions have cancelled official fireworks in major cities.
Further draconian measures include widespread mobile internet disruptions, officially for "security" to counter drone strikes, and severe alcohol restrictions. In Omsk, alcohol and energy drinks are banned near events from December 28 to January 11, while Irkutsk has prohibited alcohol within 100 metres of celebration sites. The city of Abakan has imposed an eight-day booze ban at venues hosting mass events.
Elsewhere, public safety concerns over crowd management have prompted cancellations. In Paris, police urged Mayor Anne Hidalgo to cancel a popular music event on the Champs-Elysées over fears of dangerous crushes, though the main fireworks display will continue. Similarly, Tokyo authorities have axed the famous countdown outside Shibuya Station, citing risks of overcrowding and public drinking.
Solidarity and Mourning Shape Celebrations
Other nations have altered plans as a mark of respect or solidarity. The Indonesian central government is supporting regions forgoing fireworks in solidarity with victims of the catastrophic Sumatran floods and landslides, which claimed over 900 lives in Indonesia alone and more than 1,500 across Asia.
In Hong Kong, an alternative display will replace the traditional fireworks following the city's deadliest fire in decades at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, which killed at least 160 people, including a one-year-old child and a 97-year-old.
Belgrade has cancelled some events, including those on both the Gregorian and Serbian New Year's Eve (January 14), citing concerns for children's safety after previous incidents where barriers were breached.
The collective scaling back of global celebrations underscores a world entering 2026 under a cloud of caution, where security and solemn remembrance are taking precedence over public revelry.
