Brandenburg Gate Skips New Year's Eve Celebration
In a significant change, the traditional large New Year's Eve party at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate has been cancelled for 2025. The Berlin Senate, under the leadership of Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU), has ruled out further subsidies for the event organizer[1][4][5].
For years, the New Year's Eve celebration at Brandenburg Gate has been a recipient of state subsidies, with financial support amounting to several hundred thousand euros in the past[6]. However, Mayor Wegner believes that it is not the task of taxpayers to co-finance such events, especially in times of a strained budget situation[3].
The cancellation of the Brandenburg Gate celebration has led to discussions about alternative concepts for New Year's celebrations in Berlin. Broadcasters such as ZDF are exploring other program options for New Year's Eve[1]. Meanwhile, private and smaller scale New Year's Eve events continue to be organized in the city, such as the "30+ New Year's Eve Party 2025" at the iconic Haus Ungarn[2].
Mayor Wegner is reportedly having conversations about the possibility of a fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate, offering a potential alternative for those who have come to expect the traditional midnight fireworks[7]. Another possibility discussed is an organizer working with ZDF for the New Year's Eve party, but with different financing or a different concept[8].
The New Year's Eve celebration at Brandenburg Gate has been a traditional ritual for many people, with tens of thousands of visitors typically coming to the gate to watch the fireworks at midnight. The cancellation of the event has also meant the end of the live broadcast on ZDF, which has traditionally been hosted by Andrea Kiewel and Johannes B. Kerner for many years[9].
The managing director of Berlin Celebrates New Year's Eve (BfS) GmbH, Benedikt Alder, confirmed that an event like the one at the Brandenburg Gate will not occur this year due to lack of financial support from the state[10]. Despite the cancellation, the spirit of New Year's Eve in Berlin remains, with the city exploring new ways to commemorate the occasion in light of funding challenges.
Social-media platforms are abuzz with discussions about potential alternatives for New Year's celebrations in Berlin, following the cancellation of the traditional Brandenburg Gate event. Movies-and-TV broadcasters, like ZDF, are actively considering new program options for New Year's Eve, suggesting a shift towards digital entertainment.
