The Hague will allow no consumer fireworks at the coming New Year’s Eve, after mayor Jan van Zanen decided not to issue any exemptions.
The nationwide ban took effect on 1 August and is meant to cut fireworks injuries and violence, though associations and foundations can still apply to set off fireworks together.
Van Zanen calls 2026 a transition year and says the city is choosing calm and clarity by letting the law do its work first.
He wants the unrest of recent years to die down, and the city will assess afterwards what the night asked of police and emergency services.
The decision was easier because hardly anyone applied this year, and he has not yet decided about next year.
Bonfire displays and city support
Last New Year’s Eve the fire service turned out 322 times and police logged 296 incidents, up from 103 a year earlier.
Displays at the bonfires in Duindorp and Laak may now only be run by professional fireworks firms.
The two neighbourhoods are still weighing whether their shows go ahead, while the municipal executive plans a one-off €10,000 payment to the organisers of all three bonfires, depending on their applications and costs.
