Some 78 municipalities in the Grand Duchy have banned private firework displays on New Year’s Eve, mostly on the grounds of environmental reasons, noise pollution or accident risk.
Luxembourg City, Esch/Alzette, Differdange, Dudelange, Echternach and Wiltz are some of the municipalities that have issued a ban on private firework displays. Smaller municipalities including Mertzig, Kopstal and Vianden have also prohibited private firework displays.
Most municipalities also ban fireworks in public places, unless people are given prior authorisation. Rule breakers can be fined.
In recent years, more and more municipalities have tightened their rules.
The municipality of Grevenmacher has decided on a ban on fireworks this year. In previous years, fireworks were permitted here between 11:55 and midnight at a reasonable distance from residential houses and buildings.
Also read:12 reasons to leave the house during the festive holidays
In the municipality of Bech residents voted in favour of being able to set off rockets on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks in the municipality are permitted between 23:45 and 00:30.
Fireworks are permitted this year in Erpeldange/Sauer for the first time in years but only with prior authorisation from the mayor.
Some 16 municipalities permit fireworks but usually for only 10 to 30 minutes around midnight on New Year’s Eve. These municipalities include Bettendorf, Ettelbrück, Koerich, Rosport-Mompach, Weiswampach, Betzdorf, Garnich, Wormeldange, Bourscheid and Tandel.
Despite stricter regulations, fireworks are still permitted in some places © Photo credit: Christophe Olinger/LW-Archiv
(This story was originally published in the Luxemburger Wort, translated using AI and edited by Kate Oglesby.)