
Cities canceling their big New Year’s Eve events around the world
(CNN) — For awhile there, it appeared we might be able to ring in New
(CNN) — For awhile there, it appeared we might be able to ring in New Year’s Eve in major cities across the planet with something resembling the huge celebrations of yore.
Another Covid-19 surge and the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have dashed those hopes — at least in some parts of the world.
But some major cities in Europe, where the spread of Omicron has been startling, have already announced they’re flat-out canceling plans.
Other cities around the world with traditionally iconic celebrations still plan to host their events but with safety precautions in place.
As of 11 a.m. ET December 31, this what some of the world cities with traditionally huge New Year’s Eve events were doing.
Canceled events
The following cities (or nations) have already announced they’re canceling their big shindigs:
Traditionally, Greece has a fireworks show above the Acropolis hill during New Year celebrations. The show has been canceled for this year.
Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
ATHENS
No fireworks show over the Acropolis this year. Health Minister Thanos Plevris said during a news briefing on Thursday, December 23, that all public Christmas and New Year celebrations planned by municipalities are canceled.
All travelers arriving in Greece will be strongly advised to take Covid-19 tests on the second and fourth days after their arrival, on top of the existing requirement to provide a negative test result to enter Greece.
Masks are mandatory again in both indoor and outdoor spaces. For supermarkets and public transport, a double mask or a high protection mask is required.
The measures will last until January 3, when according to Plevris, more restrictions might be put forward concerning sport and entertainment venues.
Georgia’s capital city is canceling the New Year’s Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases, according to a tweet from Underground Atlanta.
BERLIN
Germany is imposing strict contact restrictions to curb the spread of Covid starting on December 28 and prohibiting New Year’s Eve gatherings, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Tuesday, December 21.
That means no big fireworks gathering in Berlin, the capital, nor in other big gathering spots such as Munich and Frankfurt.
From December 28, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed to meet in groups, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or recovered, Scholz said. Children 13 and younger are exempt from the new contact restrictions.
EDINBURGH
Public New Year’s Eve celebrations in Scotland will be canceled, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Tuesday, December 21.
Sturgeon said the move will “also mean unfortunately that large-scale Hogmanay celebrations — including that planned here in our capital city — will not proceed. I know how disappointing this will be for those looking forward to these events.”
LONDON
“Due to the surge in Covid cases, we’ve taken the difficult decision to cancel our NYE event in Trafalgar Square,” said the tweet from Khan’s verified account. “The safety of all Londoners must come first.”
A statement attached to the tweet said the celebration had been expected to host 6,500 people in Trafalgar Square.
Instead, a program will be broadcast at midnight on BBC One, Khan said.
NEW DELHI
The government of India’s union territory of Delhi, which encompasses the national capital of New Delhi, has announced a ban on all social, cultural, political and festival gatherings until further notice because of a rise in Covid-19 cases, CNN’s New Delhi Bureau reports.
All officials “shall ensure that no cultural events/gatherings/congregations take place for celebrating Christmas or New Year” in the region, according to the Delhi government’s order.
Bars and restaurants will be allowed to operate at only 50% capacity.

Paris is lit up for Christmas at spots such as Place Vendome, but it will not be holding a big New Year’s Eve spectacular.
Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
PARIS
And wearing a mask will be made mandatory in Paris outdoor public spaces starting Friday, December 31, the Paris police prefecture said Wednesday.
ROME
Large New Year’s Eve celebrations across the country have been canceled, including open air concerts and fireworks in Venice. Nightclubs will be closed for the month of January as well.
Events still scheduled

Sydney, Australia, plans to hold its spectacular fireworks show for New Year’s Eve 2021.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
Not all the world’s cities have called off their celebrations. Here are some of the cities traditionally renowned for their exceptional fireworks and big New Year’s Eve events that were still moving forward with their plans as of December 31. Click the links to get details, including pandemic safety measures:
BANGKOK
CAPE TOWN
CHICAGO
DUBAI
HONG KONG
LAS VEGAS
NEW YORK
RIO DE JANEIRO
After canceling its New Year’s Eve celebrations earlier this month, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s party capital, reversed course this week.
“We want to celebrate the end of the year in a calm, safe and organized manner. We met with the Scientific Committee, which confirmed that it would be safe to hold the city’s New Year’s celebrations under the provisions presented by the city government,” Mayor Eduardo Paes said. Revelers are encouraged to stay close to their homes to “avoid unnecessary travel.”
SYDNEY
Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display is set to continue despite a mounting daily Covid-19 caseload in Australia’s largest city. A total of 11,201 new cases were announced on Wednesday in the state of New South Wales, almost twice the tally of 6,062 from the previous day.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the organizer of the fireworks display said Covid-19 safety measures would be maintained in public spaces around Sydney Harbour.
“We have six vantage points that are all in outdoor parks, but we are operating those on a one person per two square meters basis,” Stephen Gilby, executive producer of New Year’s Eve celebrations, said.
TAIPEI
TORONTO
Canada’s largest city is putting on a very scaled-back affair. High-altitude fireworks will be launched at midnight across Toronto’s waterfront, but people are highly encouraged to watch virtually.
Watch from home
Admittedly, it’s not the same as watching fireworks and big shows in person, but you can catch all the action from the comfort — and safety — of a crowd-controlled home.
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CNN’s Virginia Langmaid, Jennifer Henderson, Jeremy Grisham, Barbie Latza Nadeau, Laura Ly, Jason Hanna, Chris Liakos, Berlin Bureau, Lauren Kent, Samantha Beech, Swati Gupta, Duarte Mendonca, Maija Ehlinger, Marcelo Medeiros, Taylor Romine, Eva Tapiero and Angus Watson contributed to this article.