New Year’s Eve 2026 in the Netherlands

New Year’s Eve, Oudjaarsavond, falls on Thursday 31 December 2026. This is the first jaarwisseling under the national ban on consumer fireworks, which is in force from 1 August 2026 and applies to the 2026-2027 New Year; temporary national bans on selling and setting off fireworks applied in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

The national fireworks ban

The law behind the change is the Wet veilige jaarwisseling, a parliamentary initiative passed by the Eerste Kamer on 1 July 2025; the decree bringing it into force was published in the Staatsblad on 1 July 2026. It bans consumers from possessing and setting off fireworks of category F2 and higher. Category F1 items, the lightest class, which includes sparklers and similar products, remain legal for anyone aged 12 and over.

Professional displays and municipal shows are still allowed. Mayors can also grant exemptions to local clubs and foundations with demonstrable local ties, such as a registered address, earlier activities in the area or a statutory mission there, with safety distances of 15, 40 or 60 metres depending on the type of fireworks. Municipalities may permit organised, supervised fireworks moments by local groups. Exempted groups may only use category F2 decorative fireworks, up to 200 kilos, and may set them off only between 18:00 on 31 December and 02:00 on 1 January.

The government says the minimum penalty for setting off, buying or possessing banned fireworks is a €100 fine plus a criminal record entry, with heavier penalties depending on the offence, and it notes that the amounts may still change. Banned fireworks brought in from abroad are confiscated, and the offender faces a fine or even a prison sentence.

For leftover consumer stock, the government scheduled national collection days in September and October 2026 only, where fireworks could be handed in free of charge, anonymously and without a fine. Older lists of municipal fireworks-free zones no longer describe the situation: the national ban supersedes them, and municipalities now decide whether local associations and foundations can get an exemption; many also organise activities around New Year.

Practical information

31 December is not an official public holiday: it does not appear on the government’s list of official holidays, and the Winkeltijdenwet contains no early-closing rule for the day, so shops may legally open between 06:00 and 22:00 on the Thursday, as on other weekdays; actual opening hours vary. New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a public holiday.

Common questions

Are fireworks completely banned this New Year?

Consumer fireworks of category F2 and higher are banned: both possessing them and setting them off. Category F1 products such as sparklers remain legal from age 12, and professional and municipal shows continue.

Can I bring fireworks from Belgium or Germany?

The ban covers possession of category F2 and higher fireworks in the Netherlands, so buying them across the border does not make them legal here.

Will there still be fireworks shows to watch?

Municipal and professional displays remain allowed. Many municipalities, associations and foundations organise activities around New Year; check your municipality’s website.

Is 31 December a day off?

No. It is not an official public holiday; whether you work depends on your employer and CAO. 1 January is the official holiday.

What happens to fireworks people still own?

The government scheduled national collection days (inleverdagen) in September and October 2026, where leftover fireworks could be handed in free, anonymously and without a fine. Possessing banned fireworks can lead to a fine of at least €100 and a criminal record entry.