New Year's Eve 2025 - 2026

The turn of the year is just around the corner! We wish you a happy New Year's Eve. The municipality strives for a safe and pleasant turn of the year for everyone. It does so in close cooperation with its partners. We have listed all the information about New Year's Eve for you below.

Fireworks Sale

Fireworks may be sold on December 29, 30 and 31. The fireworks sales point in Wassenaar is Tuincentrum De Bosrand, Rijksstraatweg 361b.

When may fireworks be set off? 

Fireworks may only be set off between 6 p.m. on December 31 and 2 a.m. on January 1. Except for category 1 fireworks, which may be set off throughout the year. For more information about fireworks categories, visit rijksoverheid,wwww.politie.nl or www.brandweer.nl. 

Stricter fireworks setting off requirements in Wassenaar 

In Wassenaar there are many houses with thatched roofs and there is a lot of forest and dune area. The rules when setting off fireworks are therefore stricter in Wassenaar than in other municipalities because the fire danger is greater there. 

Setting off fireworks at homes with thatched roofs 

There is a ban on setting off fireworks within 30 meters of homes with thatched roofs. Outside this distance, low-level fireworks may be set off: fireworks that go less than 10 meters into the air. Flares, Roman candles and other fireworks that go higher than 10 meters must be set off further than 250 meters from the home. 

Setting off fireworks near forest and dune areas

A greater distance must be observed near forest and dune areas. Setting off fireworks within 100 meters of these areas is prohibited due to high fire danger. Outside this distance of 100 meters, it is again permitted to light low fireworks. High fireworks are only allowed when there is 250 meters distance between the forest or dune edge and the setting off point. 

For violations 

When a violation is committed, that is, when fireworks are set off too close to fire-hazard places, the police take action. In cooperation with Bureau Halt (for youths up to 18 years of age), a strict "Lickety-split" policy is followed. No warnings are issued first. 

Illegal fireworks 

The municipality of Wassenaar hopes for a pleasant and safe turn of the year. That is why the municipality is committed to preventing the use of illegal fireworks. Do you know or suspect that somewhere illegal fireworks are being stored or traded? Report this to the police 0900-8844. Do you prefer to remain anonymous? Then call Report Crime Anonymously on 0800-7000. 

Report fireworks nuisance 

Are fireworks being set off too early in your neighborhood? Please report this to the police 0900-8844. Do you prefer to remain anonymous? Call Report Crime Anonymously on 0800-7000. 

Cleaning up fireworks debris 

Fireworks litter pollutes the streets and can be dangerous. After the turn of the year, children go looking for fireworks that have not yet gone off. Every year, serious accidents happen because of this. Therefore, we ask you to clean up your fireworks waste immediately and not wait until the next morning. Please use a fireworks waste bag (available at Tuincentrum De Bosrand and at the municipal office on the Johan de Wittstraat). Put the fireworks waste bag in the container for residual waste. Don't have a fireworks waste bag? Then you can also deposit the fireworks waste directly in the container for residual waste.

Tips for cleaning up fireworks debris 

  • Collect fireworks debris immediately after setting off or do so as early as possible on New Year's Day.
  • Wet fireworks debris before cleaning up.
  • Never relight damaged fireworks.
  • Do not put fireworks waste in a fireworks waste bag and/or in the container for residual waste until it has cooled down. In this way, together we ensure a clean and fireworks waste-free Wassenaar.

Adjusted waste collection during the holidays

Avalex does not collect household waste on public holidays. Therefore, there are alternative collection days:

  • Saturday, December 27, is the replacement collection day for Friday, December 26.
  • Saturday, January 3, is the replacement collection day for Thursday, January 1.

All recycling centers will be closed during the holidays. On December 24 and December 31, all recycling centers will close at 4:00 PM.

Closing underground containers

To prevent damage from fireworks, Avalex will close many containers at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. These will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 1. During the holidays, Avalex will empty the underground and above-ground containers more frequently than usual.