Brandenburg Gate's New Year's Eve gathering scrapped - Brandenburg Gate's New Year's Eve celebration is called off.
In a surprising turn of events, the traditional New Year's Eve party at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate has been cancelled for 2023. The cancellation comes after decades of the event being a fixed ritual for many people on New Year's Eve.
The private organiser of the event, Berlin feiert Silvester (BfS) GmbH, announced the cancellation due to a lack of funds. In the past, the event received several hundred thousand euros in subsidies from the state, but this support will no longer be available.
Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner, stated that it is not the task of taxpayers to co-finance such events, especially not in times of tight budget constraints. However, talks are ongoing about the possibility of a fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate.
The cancellation means that millions of people who usually watch the party on TV screens may not be able to do so in its previous form. The party has been a popular spectacle, with tens of thousands of visitors attending each year. Andrea Kiewel and Johannes B. Kerner, who have been moderating the New Year's Eve party for ZDF for many years, will likely not be able to host the event this year.
ZDF, the German television broadcaster, is currently working on other program options for New Year's Eve. An alternative concept or financing for the event is being discussed, but no specific plans have been made public yet.
Despite the cancellation, the spirit of New Year's Eve in Berlin is not completely lost. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, and there are sure to be other celebrations taking place across the city. However, the Brandenburg Gate New Year's Eve party will be missed by many.
[1] It is important to note that there are no specific alternative plans mentioned for the Berlin New Year's Eve Party at Brandenburg Gate in 2023 following its cancellation. The information available only confirms that the traditional New Year's Eve event at the Brandenburg Gate has been cancelled (notably for 2025), but does not provide details about any replacement events or alternative celebrations for 2023 or subsequent years.
People looking forward to watching the Brandenburg Gate New Year's party on social media may be disappointed, as the event's cancellation leaves uncertainty about its replacement. This year, movie and TV enthusiasts might find alternatives to watch on New Year's Eve, as ZDF, the German television broadcaster, is working on other program options.
