At midnight on December 31, the Dutch get footloose and go out en masse to set off their own fireworks. Almost everyone loves fireworks, but not everyone likes to set off fireworks themselves. Who does not love to watch a fireworks show? Here and there in the Netherlands, impressive fireworks are set off by the municipality on New Year’s Eve, but most fireworks are set off by the Dutch themselves.
New Year’s Eve is usually celebrated. with family and friends at home. Oliebollen are eaten, champagne is drunk and fireworks and sparkles are set off at midnight.
Traditional fireworks display during the turn of the year.
The tradition of displaying fireworks is controversial because so many are set off that animals such as birds, dogs, and cats get terrified. This tradition of setting off your own fireworks originates in the sixties. Quite a young tradition you might say. Fireworks are set off by all layers of the population, from poor to rich, and from young to old. Fireworks are for sale in many places. Many garden centers, construction markets, or supermarkets have a special area where fireworks are for sale. For many people, a new year without fireworks is unthinkable.
Firework rules are tightened
Nowadays there is a different opinion about fireworks lighting. Since there was a ban on setting off fireworks during Corona/Covid on New Year’s Eve, many people want to stick to this ban on fireworks. There are too many accidents: here and there someone goes blind (on one eye) or loses fingers. Police, ambulance, hospitals, and firefighters have a lot of work on New Year’s Eve because of accidents involving fireworks. This year the rules for selling and setting off fireworks were tightened. But the rules on setting off fireworks were not enforced……….
Which fireworks are prohibited?
There is a nationwide ban on category F3 and F4 fireworks and category F2 popping fireworks. Category F2 popping fireworks include firecrackers, popping strands such as Chinese mats, single-shot tubes, and flares. This prohibition applies to the sale, possession, and lighting of fireworks in the mentioned categories.
What kind of Fireworks is sold in the Netherlands?
Fireworks are divided into three main types: bang fireworks (prohibited), decorative fireworks, and fake fireworks for children.
Bam, Bam, Bong. This year there will also be digital/virtual fireworks for sale. View this app on your smartphone and support the Sheltersuit Foundation. Information can be found at feelgoodfireworks.nl.
Safety first, how to light fireworks.
Fireworks are beautiful to look at, and it’s super exciting to set it off yourself. Every New Year’s Eve, many adults and children are injured by fireworks, and not only those who set off fireworks but also spectators are at risk of being injured. Some advice to think of by setting off fireworks:
🧨 Wear safety glasses when setting off fireworks but also when you go outside to watch fireworks.
🧨 Buy fireworks only from a legal outlet.
🧨 Don’t just extinguish fireworks by stepping on them; many children get hurt experimenting with unlit fireworks.
🧨 Do not hold fireworks in your hand while lighting it.
🧨 Use a bottle to put in the fireworks to be lit.
🧨 Read the manual carefully.
🧨 Use a fuse to light fireworks.
🧨 Do not wear flammable clothing.
🧨 Don’t put fireworks in your pocket.
🧨 Watch out for your fellow men.
Where to find FREE National Fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve?
Amsterdam, Museumplein. Light, sound, and firework show
Amsterdam Tower, view from the quays around the IJ, Amsterdam North, NDSM, and IJplein.
Rotterdam at Erasmus Bridge
Nesselande at Zevenhuizerplas, Sicily Boulevard.
Hoek van Holland at Zeeplein
Scheveningen, huge bonfire at the Beach
➔ look here at the live webcam Scheveningen
Duindorp Den Haag, huge bonfire at the Beach –
➔ look here at the live webcam Duindorp
Kijkduin, huge bonfire at the Beach
➔ look here for the live video footage of lighting and burning the bonfires on the North Sea beach
Den Haag / The Hague at the Hofvijver, this year canceled.
A very nice informative website with all the fireworks shows in the Netherlands is “Vuurwerkklok.nl“. On this website, you will find all the fireworks shows and festivals organized in the Netherlands and Belgium. Vuurwerkklok.nl has made a special page for all the New Year’s Eve fireworks shows.
➔ Look here for all the Dutch New Year’s Eve fireworks shows
Good to know that admission to the National Fireworks is FREE!
Parties before and after the firework show on New Year’s Eve
Everywhere in the NetherlandsNew Year’s parties are organized. You need to buy a ticket for most of these New Year’s Eve parties. There are great parties to go to in all the big cities but in smaller towns and villages there is lots of entertainment as well. So what’s happening on New Year’s Eve?
➔ Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve
➔ Rotterdam on New Year’s Eve
➔ Den Haag / The Hague on New Year’s Eve
➔ Look here for all the New Year’s Eve parties and festivals in the Netherlands
And of course on New Year’s Day at noon, you undress on the beach and dive into the sea. Just join the crowd. Well, a New Year’s Dive is great fun and after the dive enjoy a typical Dutch cup of Pea Soup.
Carbide shooting in the countryside
In the countryside of the Netherlands, carbide is used as well, in addition to fireworks. Carbide shooting during the turn of the year can be very popular wherever you stay in the countryside. Milk cans are filled with carbide and water. A hole is made at the back of the bushes. Then the back of the can is heated with a torch and with a huge deafening bang the lid of the milk can flies off. Sometimes the milk churn lid is replaced by a football.
