Berlin’s Iconic New Year’s Celebration Relocates to Hamburg
ZDF’s Famous New Year’s Eve Party Relocates from Berlin to Hamburg
The long-standing ZDF New Year’s Eve celebration at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate will be moving to Hamburg in 2025. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) confirmed the capital can no longer cover the costs of hosting the iconic event.
New Year’s Eve 2025 in Hamburg
German broadcaster ZDF announced that from this year onward, the show will take place at Überseequartier in Hamburg, offering “a view of the Elbe, a spectacular floating stage, and many surprises.”
The “Willkommen 2026” broadcast will again be presented by Andrea Kiewel and Johannes B. Kerner, starting at 8:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Details of the program will be released in the coming weeks.
Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) welcomed the move: “Hamburg is Germany’s gateway to the world and a city of encounters. We are delighted that ZDF’s New Year’s show will premiere here on the Elbe.”
Why Berlin is Letting Go
The Brandenburg Gate has been a hub for New Year’s Eve festivities for decades, with ZDF hosting its live broadcast there since 2010. However, Mayor Wegner announced in August that Berlin will no longer provide public funding for the celebration.
“I don’t believe such events should be financed by taxpayers—especially not in times of budgetary constraints,” Wegner told dpa. Although exact figures weren’t disclosed, event organizers Berlin feiert Silvester (BfS) GmbH estimate costs between €500,000 and €1 million annually.
Berlin is still considering alternative celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate for this year, with a fireworks display among the options.