A number of cities around the world are cancelling New Year’s parties amid credible fears of terror attacks on revellers ringing in the start of 2026.
The mass party dumping comes in the wake of an FBI raid that allegedly foiled a terror plot to be carried out in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. The FBI alleges that extremists were planning to strike at five different locations across Los Angeles. Four were arrested in the Mojave Desert, east of Los Angeles, in connection with the foiled attack. FBI agents say their raid on the extremist group caught them midway through a rehearsal of the supposed New Year’s plot.
FBI director Kash Patel has since confirmed a fifth person from the same group has now been arrested from the same alleged extremist group. The person was detained in New Orleans for allegedly planning a linked but separate attack on revellers celebrating the New Year.
As it stands, Los Angeles and New Orleans officials have not announced any plans to cancel New Year’s Eve gatherings, but several others have, according to the Mirror US.
Paris
In Paris, the concert scheduled for New Year’s Eve has been scrapped, reports local news outlet sortiraparis.com, citing a request from Paris police due to security concerns.
Authorities reportedly urged the mayor to call off the concert to minimise the threat of crushes and disorder, given that massive crowds usually flock to the Champs-Élysées performance. However, a firework spectacular will still go ahead, meaning not all festivities have been scrapped.
Sydney
New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics have been axed following the tragic Bondi Beach shooting that occurred earlier this month. The spectacular was expected to attract 15,000 revellers to Bondi Beach.
Waverley Council confirmed the cancellations, stating: “Due to the current situation on the ground, Waverley Council has made the decision to cancel New Year’s Eve events at Bondi Beach, including elrow XXL Bondi and Local’s Lawn,” according to Sky News.
The broadcaster reported that event organiser Fuzzy also explained the choice was made to maintain focus on demonstrating “compassion and care for Sydney’s Jewish community.”
In Sydney’s Darling Harbour at 11pm, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge will be lit white as the city stands still for a minute of silence to remember the victims of the December 14 attack.
Tokyo
Much like Paris, Tokyo officials scrapped the scheduled New Year’s Eve countdown at Shibuya Station over fears that massive gatherings could become targets for attacks and might trigger deadly stampedes, Japan Today reported.
The publication noted that Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe also expressed worries about the potential consequences of public drinking.
