The Hague rules out fireworks exemptions for New Year

The Hague will not grant associations exemptions from the Netherlands’ national fireworks ban for the 2026–27 New Year period, ANP reports. Residents will also be barred from setting off fireworks in the city. [1]

The municipality said police and council staff would already be occupied with maintaining public order around New Year. It remains unclear how closely residents will follow the national ban and what that will mean for enforcement staffing, the municipality said. [1]

ANP reports that most Dutch municipalities are not granting exemptions, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Municipalities have cited limited time, capacity and expertise to assess applications, as well as difficulty checking during New Year whether associations meet the conditions of an exemption. Those conditions would include measures to protect spectators. [1]