In Paris, the annual concert planned on the most beautiful avenue in the world will not take place for the arrival of 2026.

European, Australian and Asian cities have chosen this year to forgo some New Year's Eve celebrations for security reasons.

While New Year's Eve is synonymous with parties and celebrations, the festivities are not on the agenda for the arrival of 2026. The threat of terrorist attacks is not to be taken lightly. Just two weeks ago, two men opened fire on Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing fifteen people at a Hanukkah gathering. In Los Angeles, a planned New Year's Eve attack was recently thwarted.

So this year, some major cities are opting for increased security, even if it means canceling some of their flagship New Year's Eve events. In Paris, the annual concert planned for the world's most beautiful avenue will not take place. It was canceled by order of the police prefecture for security reasons.

"The Champs-Élysées is not designed to accommodate this type of event," with "unpredictable crowd movements." Parisians and tourists will, however, be able to enjoy the fireworks display on the Champs-Élysées.

FESTIVITIES CANCELLED ON BONDI BEACH

On Bondi Beach in Australia, festivities will also be cancelled following the attack that shook the area. The beach was scheduled to host its first New Year's Eve party in ten years, with several concerts planned. An estimated 15,000 people were expected.

“We know that thousands of people, Australians and tourists alike, have been eagerly awaiting the return of New Year’s Eve to Bondi Beach for the first time in over a decade, but here, we support each other, especially in difficult times. When the time is right, we will all come back together with the same spirit of kindness, connection, and joy that characterizes us,” one of the organizers explained in a statement.

The other festivities planned in Australia are still on, with a very large police presence.

BELGRADE WANTS TO PROTECT ITS CHILDREN

Serbia has also taken security measures regarding New Year's Eve celebrations. Belgrade will not hold any festivities on December 31st, nor for the Serbian New Year, which will take place on January 13th and 14th. This precautionary measure aims to prevent potential terrorist attacks and also to protect young people.

“Most of the people who attend these concerts are children aged 13 to 15, mostly girls. Last year, we had an incident where a group of people tried to force their way through the barriers and disrupt the concert,” explained Aleksandar Šapić, the mayor of Belgrade, in an interview with Politika. “We will not organize anything until we are sure that malicious individuals will not try to spoil these moments and traumatize the children. There will be no festivities this year.”

TOKYO HOPES TO AVOID ALCOHOL-RELATED INCIDENTS

Japan, which usually celebrates the arrival of the new year in style, has also chosen to make some concessions. The Shibuya ward in Tokyo has canceled its New Year's Eve events for the sixth consecutive year. Mayor Ken Hasebe justified this decision as a way to combat "nighttime disturbances" and incidents caused "by excessive alcohol consumption."

Access to certain famous landmarks will also be restricted to prevent overcrowding. This is the case for the Hachiko statue, which will be barricaded from 6:00 AM on December 31st until 1:00 AM on January 1st. Some convenience stores will also stop selling alcohol during the holidays, and it will be forbidden to consume these beverages from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM on New Year's Eve.