NYE Cancellations Across the World, But NYC Is Still On

As 2025 comes to a close, cities around the world are adjusting or canceling their New Year’s Eve plans due to heightened safety precautions. But in true New York fashion, the city remains steadfast in its tradition—welcoming more than a million people to the heart of Times Square for a celebration that includes performances by Diana Ross, Chappell Roan, Demi Lovato, and more.

Inside Times Square’s 2026 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration

New York City is moving forward with plans to host the traditional Times Square midnight ball drop, implementing extensive safety measures to protect attendees and ensure the event’s success.

Paul Mauro, a Fox News contributor and former NYPD inspector, told Fox News Digital that New Year’s Eve is “sort of the Super Bowl for the NYPD” and that planning for the celebration begins “weeks, if not months, in advance.” To add an extra layer of security, Mauro added that local, state, and federal agencies will work in tandem to create a secure perimeter around Times Square.

The NYPD is also preparing for challenges posed by massive crowds and potential cellphone outages, urging attendees to have a contingency plan in place.

“If you’re with a group of people, or if you’ve brought your kids in or something like that, it’s easy to get separated in the crowd,” Mauro said. “You can’t necessarily rely on your mobile phones … Sometimes the cell circuits in and around Times Square on New Year’s Eve get overloaded.”

NYC Moves Ahead with Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration

While New York City remains committed to ushering in 2026 with their traditional celebration, countries abroad such as Paris, Tokyo and Belgrade have all pulled the plug on large public gatherings.

According to Fox News, the decision to cancel New Year’s Eve festivities in several major cities across the globe came amid rising safety concerns.

In Paris, city officials cited public safety as the reason for canceling their annual live concert on the Champs-Élysées. Jeanne d’Hauteserre, mayor of the city’s 8th Arrondissement, told Agence France-Presse the area was “not sized to host this type of event where people are moving,” and cited “unpredictable crowds” as a key concern. Fireworks will still take place at the Arc de Triomphe, but the musical celebration will be replaced with a pre-recorded broadcast.

Tokyo officials took a similar approach, with Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe announcing the cancellation of the city’s countdown event in a government release.

Whether you’re watching from a packed crowd in Times Square or toasting from the comfort of home, New Year’s Eve 2025 is shaping up to be a celebration to remember. And if the energy in New York City is any indication, this year’s countdown will be one for the books.

The post NYE Cancellations Across the World, But NYC Is Still On appeared first on EntertainmentNow.