Reminder about the “rendezvous” with Saint Sylvester…
In many countries, the celebration of the New Year and the commemoration of Saint Pope Sylvester, a devoted defender of the Christian faith, are traditionally accompanied by colourful fireworks and impressive pyrotechnic displays, which give New Year’s Eve its distinctive, festive and resounding character each year.
The abundance of colours in the sky, the shapes and visual appeal of pyrotechnic effects, as well as the explosion of firecrackers, often delight spectators and leave lasting impressions. Pyrotechnic shows take place at major New Year celebration venues as well as on streets, squares and even in the courtyards of residential buildings.
At the same time, in recent years the use of fireworks and firecrackers has increasingly been accompanied by numerous acts of disorderly conduct. These often involve intoxicated individuals deliberately firing firecrackers and rockets at random passers-by, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
Against this backdrop, the leadership of the Berlin state police respectfully and appropriately reminds the public of the following regulations:
– The use of private fireworks is permitted this year strictly between 6:00 p.m. on 31 December 2025 and 7:00 a.m. on 1 January 2026. Violations may result in fines of up to 50,000 euros. If people are injured as a result of using pyrotechnics, this constitutes a criminal offence, even in the absence of intent;
– Any damage caused by the use of fireworks must be compensated, and those responsible will be held liable. This also applies to damage to vehicles of emergency and rescue services;
– It is strongly recommended to avoid large crowds and potentially confrontational situations. Gas and signal weapons pose a significant risk of injury and are strictly prohibited for children and adolescents. Their use on New Year’s Eve is illegal;
– Carrying or using signal weapons in public places without the appropriate permit constitutes a criminal offence and may result in a fine or imprisonment of up to three years (§ 52 German Weapons Act). Even with a valid permit, firing such weapons in public is prohibited and punishable as an administrative offence with fines of up to 10,000 euros (§ 53 German Weapons Act);
– On New Year’s Eve, the use of pyrotechnics and the carrying of all types of weapons, including knives, are prohibited in certain designated areas of the capital. These include Alexanderplatz (Mitte), the Steinmetzkiez area (Schöneberg), parts of Sonnenallee (Neukölln), as well as adjacent streets;
– The aforementioned restrictions also apply at the Brandenburg Gate, along Straße des 17. Juni, at the Großer Stern, in the Greater Tiergarten, in parts of the Hansaviertel, in the government district and in the vicinity of the Bundestag.
The strict restrictions in these specific areas of Berlin will be in force from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, 1 January 2026.
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