The Hague will not grant exemptions for the use of consumer fireworks during the upcoming New Year celebrations. Mayor Jan van Zanen announced the decision on Friday 9 October, confirming that the city will follow the new national fireworks ban without allowing exceptions for associations or foundations during its first year.
The decision is intended to provide clarity and improve safety following several years of increasing incidents involving fireworks, violence and attacks on emergency service workers.
What Does the New Fireworks Ban Mean?
The Netherlands introduced a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks on 1 August 2026 under the Wet Veilige Jaarwisseling (Safe New Year Celebrations Act).
Under the new legislation, individuals are no longer permitted to possess or set off consumer fireworks. Small category F1 fireworks, such as sparklers and party poppers, remain permitted.
The legislation does allow mayors to grant exemptions to registered associations and foundations, enabling them to organise fireworks activities under certain conditions.
However, Mayor Van Zanen has decided that The Hague will not issue any such exemptions for the 2026–2027 New Year celebrations.
“The national fireworks ban has support in The Hague. At the same time, I see 2026 as a transitional year in which we are choosing calm and clarity. We want to give the legislation time to take effect,” said Van Zanen.
The mayor explained that the municipality will evaluate the situation after New Year’s Eve, considering the number of incidents, the demands placed on emergency services and the level of interest in organised fireworks activities.
He also noted that very few organisations had expressed interest in applying for an exemption this year.
Sharp Increase in New Year Incidents
The decision follows a particularly challenging New Year’s Eve in The Hague.
During the previous celebrations, the fire brigade responded to 322 incidents, while police recorded 296 incidents, compared with 103 the year before.
Although most residents celebrated peacefully, emergency workers were again confronted with violence and heavy fireworks.
“We cannot continue as we have been. Last year, the number of police incidents increased to almost three times the previous year’s figure. Emergency workers were once again targeted with heavy fireworks and confronted with violence. That is completely unacceptable,” said Van Zanen.
The mayor believes the new legislation offers an opportunity to make New Year’s Eve safer for residents, police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel.
What About The Hague’s Traditional Bonfires?
The Hague is known for its traditional New Year’s Eve bonfires, or vreugdevuren, in Scheveningen, Duindorp and Laak.
These large community bonfires are a longstanding local tradition, with fireworks displays sometimes accompanying the celebrations.
Under the new legislation, any fireworks displays accompanying the bonfires must be carried out by professional fireworks companies.
Scheveningen has already used professional fireworks operators for several years. In Duindorp and Laak, the new requirements mean changes to how the displays would need to be organised.
Previously, the organisers of all three bonfires paid for their own fireworks displays. Because professional fireworks arrangements may involve additional costs, the municipality is proposing a one-off financial contribution of up to €10,000 per location.
The amount will depend on applications and actual costs.
At the time of the announcement, organisers in Duindorp and Laak were still considering whether to proceed with their fireworks displays.
The proposed financial support relates specifically to the fireworks accompanying the bonfires, rather than the bonfires themselves.
Looking Ahead to New Year’s Eve
The municipality will review the impact of the new rules after the upcoming celebrations before deciding whether exemptions might be permitted in future years.
For residents and international visitors planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in The Hague, the distinction is important: consumer fireworks are banned, but professionally organised fireworks displays remain possible under the applicable regulations.
Further details about local New Year’s Eve arrangements and any organised celebrations will be announced separately.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English/Editing/Image: The Hague Online