New Year’s Eve celebrations are being axed across the globe as terror fears cast a dark cloud over the countdown to 2026.
Cities are pulling the plug on parties for revellers amid mounting security scares, following an FBI raid that allegedly stopped a New Year’s Eve terror plot in the US.
According to investigators, extremists were allegedly planning coordinated attacks at five separate locations in Los Angeles as crowds gathered to welcome the New Year. Four suspects were arrested in the Mojave Desert, east of LA.
FBI director Kash Patel later confirmed a fifth suspect linked to the same group had been arrested in New Orleans, accused of planning a separate yet connected attack on New Year’s revellers.
While Los Angeles and New Orleans have not yet cancelled their official New Year’s Eve events, several major cities around the world have already hit pause, according to Mirror US.
Paris
Paris has scrapped its planned New Year’s Eve concert, with police urging officials to cancel amid serious security concerns.
Local outlet sortiraparis.com reports authorities feared huge crowds on the Champs-Élysées could spark chaos, crushes or worse. While the concert is off, a fireworks display will still light up the sky, meaning celebrations haven’t been completely wiped out.
Sydney
Sydney has also cancelled major New Year’s Eve events following the tragic Bondi Beach shooting earlier this month.
Fireworks planned for Bondi, expected to draw 15,000 people, have been axed. Waverley Council confirmed the decision, saying it was made “due to the current situation on the ground”.
Fireworks light up the sky over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House during New Year’s Eve in 2024 -Credit:Getty Images
Event organiser Fuzzy said the move was also about showing “compassion and care for Sydney’s Jewish community”.
Elsewhere in the city, Darling Harbour will fall silent at 11pm, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge lit white during a minute’s silence to honour victims of the December 14 attack.
Tokyo
Tokyo has followed suit, cancelling its famous Shibuya New Year’s Eve countdown amid fears huge crowds could become terror targets.
Officials also warned that packed streets and public drinking could spark dangerous stampedes, Japan Today reported. Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe voiced concerns that celebrations could quickly spiral out of control.
As of time of writing, no cities in the UK have cancelled their New Year’s Eve 2026 parties specifically due to terror threats. Major events in London and Edinburgh are scheduled to proceed with heightened security measures.
