New Year's celebrations no longer same as Netherlands bans fireworks in 2026
Photo: the ban was approved by the Parliament of the Netherlands (Getty Images)
In the Netherlands, the next New Year will be celebrated without fireworks. A nationwide ban will come into force in 2026, according to Deutsche Welle.
Under a decision by the Parliament of the Netherlands, the ban on the use of fireworks is set to take effect on the upcoming New Year’s night, at the turn of 2026-2027. Against this backdrop, the country has seen a surge in demand for pyrotechnics, with residents rushing to purchase them in recent weeks.
According to estimates by the Association of the Pyrotechnics Industry (BNP), total sales reached €129 million, up from €118 million in 2024.
Law enforcement has also recorded an increase in illegally imported fireworks, including types that had already been banned and are considered particularly dangerous. Police warn that some of these items have extremely high explosive power and are effectively comparable to bombs or grenades. From the start of 2025 through the end of December, authorities confiscated around 112 tonnes of illegally imported fireworks.
Tragic New Year in Netherlands
New Year’s night into Thursday, January 1, turned violent in many parts of the Netherlands, with clashes between crowds and police.
Local authorities and media reported numerous emergency calls across cities due to riots, fireworks-related incidents, and fires. Several people suffered serious injuries, and two fatalities were confirmed.
To contain the unrest, authorities introduced round-the-clock police deployments nationwide. Approximately 250 arrests were made, and in several cities, water cannons were used to disperse aggressive crowds.
Senior police officials acknowledged a high number of fires, damage, and incidents of violence overnight. According to the deputy head of the national police, Wilbert Paulissen, a supermarket was looted during the unrest, while police officers were targeted with Molotov cocktails, powerful fireworks, and paving stones. Police also reported numerous cases of arson involving vehicles.
Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, a large-scale fire destroyed the historic Vondelkerk. Firefighters determined early on that the building could not be saved, with the blaze causing extensive structural collapse and leaving the landmark virtually destroyed.
