Leiden celebrates the new year

The experience with fireworks-free zones in recent years (before the corona pandemic) has been positive. This year, therefore, fireworks-free zones have been designated again and the Station District has been added.

Since 2015-2016 there are fireworks-free zones within the municipality of Leiden. Unsafe, illegal or incorrect use of fireworks leads to major safety risks around the end of the year. In a fireworks-free area there is less danger, damage and disruption from fireworks. It is forbidden to set off fireworks in a fireworks-free area.

There is a fireworks ban:
• in the city center (the area within the canals);
• in all Leiden parks;
• in the publicly accessible areas around the Oostvlietpolder;
• on the animal meadow/park located west of the Jacques Urlusplantsoen;
• in the area around Dierentehuis Stevenshage;
• and new this year: the Station District. That is the area between the railway station and the Morsingel, Rijnsburgersingel and Haarlemmertrekvaart.

Are you living in a firework-free zone? Read the municipality's letter on why they introduced these zones. 

Set off fireworks only on December 31 between 6:00 PM and 2:00 AM

Setting off fireworks in places outside the fireworks-free areas is only allowed on New Year's Eve between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Is someone setting off fireworks near you, while that is not (yet) allowed? Or do you have the impression that someone is in possession of heavy and illegal fireworks? Call the police immediately (0900-8844). You can also do this anonymously via Meld Misdaad Anoniem (0800-7000). 

Banned fireworks

Setting off fireworks with category F4 printed on the label, is illegal. Since this year category F3 fireworks are also banned. F3 and F4 category fireworks are for instance firecrackers, strings of firecrackers (such as Chinese mats), single shots, flares, Roman candles and baby arrows. These are all illegal.

Fireworks that are allowed  

On New Year’s Eve 2022-2023 it is allowed to set off category F1 and F2 fireworks. These are low-hazard fireworks, such as sparklers, pullstring snaps and ice fountains (category F1) and cakes, compoundboxes, glowing flowers and fountains (category F2).

Help clearing up

Please clear up the remains of your fireworks quickly. This prevents children playing with fireworks that can still go off. By clearing up you also help Leiden make a clean and safe start in 2023.

Carbide shooting also banned

Together with the ban on fireworks, Leiden has also imposed a ban on ‘carbide shooting’. In view of the hazardous situations and serious local noise nuisance that it causes, carbide shooting is banned in Leiden.

Chinese lanterns

Chinese lanterns are also prohibited, because of their very high fire risk. They can easily be carried by the wind, for instance, and land in hazardous places.

A happy and safe New Year’s Eve and best wishes for 2023!