Start 2025 with a bang at Brussels' traditional New Year's Eve fireworks display. Unlike last year, it will not be organised at Place des Palais in the city centre.
At midnight on 31 December, Brussels' traditional colourful display of fireworks will mark the start of the new year. Despite last year's rainy weather, the display outside the Royal Palace attracted 55,000 people. This year, the event is taking place at another location: next to the Atomium in the north of Brussels.
The show returned to the centre from the Heysel where the Atomium is located for New Year's Eve in 2022. The fireworks were set off here for three editions (in 2017, 2018 and 2019).
Credit: Belga / Olivier Papegnies
On Tuesday 31 December 2024, the celebrations will start with a DJ set. At midnight, "a spectacular fireworks display" designed by Aquarêve will light up the Brussels sky.
The practical details of the fireworks and accompanying party at the Atomium will be released soon.
Ban on fireworks
It is hoped the official display will deter people from setting off their own fireworks. In previous years, the Brussels Regional Government has announced a ban specifically for the end-of-year period.
However, such a ban has already been in place across the region since March 2024. The Security Council at the time approved a ban on the possession, transport, use, display and sale of fireworks for the entire region to support the work of police zones until 3 March 2025.
But a region-wide ban on the possession of fireworks in Brussels has previously proven to be insufficient. On 31 December 2023, six people were injured by fireworks, including a teenager and a seven-year-old child. Already this year, people have been spotted setting off their own fireworks in some areas such as Schaerbeek.
