HONG KONG: For the first time in years, Hong Kong will welcome the New Year without fireworks over Victoria Harbour, as the city continues to mourn the victims of its deadliest fire in decades. Authorities have cancelled the traditional pyrotechnic display marking the arrival of 2026, opting instead for a subdued programme featuring live music and a symbolic light countdown across the city skyline. A New Year’s Eve concert in Central will headline the evening, with international soft rock duo Air Supply and local artists performing as part of a scaled-down celebration.
At midnight, eight prominent landmarks will illuminate as synchronized countdown clocks, culminating in a brief three-minute light show — a quieter alternative meant to balance remembrance with renewal. Fireworks have historically been central to Hong Kong’s major public celebrations, including New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year, and National Day, routinely drawing massive crowds and international visitors. This year’s decision reflects the depth of collective grief following a devastating November blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that killed at least 161 people.
The fire, the city’s worst since 1948, broke out at a residential complex undergoing renovations. Buildings were encased in bamboo scaffolding and green safety netting, which officials say contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Investigations have also pointed to flammable foam boards installed on windows as a critical safety failure.
Thousands of residents were displaced, with many now living in temporary housing, hotels, and youth hostels. For families who lost homes purchased through decades of savings, the road to recovery remains uncertain.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, acknowledged that the absence of fireworks would affect tourism-related businesses but stressed that public sentiment and respect for victims had guided the decision.
The city has previously suspended fireworks following major tragedies, including a fatal ferry collision in 2012 that led to the cancellation of National Day celebrations the following year, and a deadly bus crash in 2018 that halted Lunar New Year festivities. Displays were also scrapped during periods of social unrest in 2019 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fireworks originated in ancient China, where early firecrackers were believed to ward off evil spirits. This year, however, Hong Kong’s skyline will mark the transition into 2026 not with thunderous explosions, but with quiet lights signaling remembrance, resilience, and a city choosing reflection over spectacle.
-Kainis Chin
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