Dutch Mayors Reject Firework Clubs Plan as New Year Ban Looms

Nijmegen – The Dutch government’s last-ditch attempt to save the consumer fireworks tradition has likely exploded before it even took off. A proposal to allow neighborhood “Firework Clubs” to organize local displays has been vehemently rejected by the country’s mayors, who call the plan “dangerous,” “naive,” and “impossible to enforce.”

With a nationwide ban on consumer fireworks looming for the end of 2026, the clash between local authorities and national policymakers highlights just how divisive this “Dutch tradition” has become.

Table of Contents

• The Failed Compromise: What Were “Firework Clubs”?
• “I Don’t Have the Police”: Mayor Bruls Speaks Out
• Echoes of New Year’s Eve Violence
• The End of an Era: Total Ban in 2026?
• Key Takeaways
• Dutch Learning Corner
• Community CTA

The Failed Compromise: What Were “Firework Clubs”?

Facing pressure from firework enthusiasts and the pyrotechnic lobby, the outgoing government proposed a middle ground before the total ban takes effect.

The Idea:
Instead of individuals setting off explosives in the street, neighbors could form a registered “Firework Club” (Vuurwerkvereniging).

• Requirements: The club would register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK).
• Safety: Designated “lighters” would take an online safety course.
• Permits: The local mayor would grant a license for a specific zone.

The goal was to keep the tradition alive in a controlled, responsible manner. But mayors argue that “controlled” is a fantasy.

“I Don’t Have the Police”: Mayor Bruls Speaks Out

Hubert Bruls, the outspoken Mayor of Nijmegen and chair of the National Security Council, did not mince words.

“I need every police officer, firefighter, and ambulance crew I have just to keep things under control as it is,” Bruls told reporters. “I simply do not have the capacity to supervise hundreds of ‘organized’ firework clubs on the busiest night of the year.”

The mayors’ collective argument is simple: If the police are already overwhelmed by illegal fireworks and riots, adding a layer of bureaucracy and “semi-legal” zones will only create more confusion. Who checks if the club members are sober? Who ensures spectators are safe? The police say they certainly can’t.

Echoes of New Year’s Eve Violence

The rejection is fueled by trauma. The transition from 2025 to 2026 was marked by significant violence against emergency workers.

“Perhaps it sounds cynical,” Bruls noted, “but after the violence of the last New Year’s Eve, even people who were against a ban now see the need for it.”

Safety experts agree. “The logistical challenge of licensing these clubs is immense,” notes a leading criminologist specializing in public order. “Even with an online course, there is no guarantee of safety. It effectively legalizes chaos in specific zones, which criminals can easily exploit to hide illegal heavy fireworks.”

The End of an Era: Total Ban in 2026?

With the “Club Plan” effectively dead in the water, the path is now clear for a hard ban.

Most major cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Nijmegen) advocate for a **Total Ban on Consumer Fireworks** (F2 and F3 categories) for the upcoming New Year’s Eve (2026-2027). This would mean:

• No Sales: Buying fireworks would be illegal for regular citizens.
• Professional Only: Only municipality-organized central shows would be allowed.
• Strict Fines: Possession would carry heavy penalties.

While traditionalists mourn the loss of “freedom,” the consensus among officials is that the current situation is simply unsustainable.

Key Takeaways

• The Plan: Government proposed “Firework Clubs” as a compromise.
• The Verdict: Mayors rejected it as “unworkable” due to police shortages.
• The Reality: Violence against first responders has shifted public opinion.
• The Future: A total nationwide ban seems inevitable for Dec 31, 2026.

Dutch Learning Corner

Source / Politics: Dutch Mayors Association (NGB) & NOS.