New Year's Eve fireworks in Hamburg: A brilliant start to 2026!

New Year's Eve fireworks in Hamburg: A brilliant start to 2026!

The first day of the new year is here and Germany has started 2026 in grand style. The ZDF New Year's Eve show, which this time took place in the picturesque Hamburg harbor, was a real highlight. Music lovers and New Year fans cavorted on a floating stage on the Elbe in front of the Westfield shopping center. Despite the rainy weather, people didn't let it spoil their partying mood.

At midnight, an impressive fireworks display, launched from tugs behind the stage, lit up the sky. The show was moderated by Andrea Kiewel and Johannes B. Kerner, who led the evening through with charming ease. The event also offered a lot musicallyFragment1: From Johannes Oerding to the boy band Blue – the range of live acts was impressive. The band Wanda and DJ Felix Jaehn also heated up the audience.

A festival dedicated to music

At the same time, the “New Year’s Eve in Concert” event took place in HafenCity, presenting national and international artists. The mix of pop, rock and electronic sounds between the illuminated skyline and light reflections on the water conjured up a very special atmosphere. Food trucks and drinks stands ensured that no one was left out of culinary delights. The target group ranged from music fans to Hamburg residents to curious visitors from afar who didn't want to miss this event on New Year's EveFragment2.

Back to the ZDF show: Great live entertainment wasn't all that awaited the audience. The live connections to the Reeperbahn and the Landungsbrücken also brought the party atmosphere straight into the living room. Co-host Oli.P organized a special reception for the friends of drag queen Olivia Jones on the Reeperbahn. However, a planned entry from Miniatur Wunderland, known as the largest model railway in the world, had to be canceled due to technical problems. The traditional New Year's Eve show at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin was also canceled because public subsidies were canceled. Instead, there was a DJ party with seven and a half minutes of fireworks, which was broadcast on ARD.

Traditions around the turn of the year

New Year's Eve has a long tradition in Germany: it is celebrated worldwide and is associated with fireworks, lucky charms, lead pouring and the enjoyment of sparkling wine and Berliners. The name “New Year's Eve” goes back to the Roman Pope Silvester, who died on December 31, 335, and marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. Many customs, such as fireworks, date back to ancient times and are intended to drive away evil spiritsFragment3.

The New Year's Eve celebrations in the German cultural area are not only a reason to celebrate, but also an occasion to welcome the new cycle of life. Toasting the new possibilities with sparkling wine or champagne while the fireworks light up the night sky remains an indispensable part of this magical night.

All that remains to say is: here’s to a happy and successful year 2026!