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Greece and Cyprus yes welcome exist 2026 with a quietera more inclusive approach new year Celebrations.
Their respective capitals, Athens and Nicosia, will replace the traditional, booming capitals fireworks The display combines low-noise pyrotechnics, dazzling light shows and innovative drone spectacles.
The big shift was driven by a desire to create more kid- and pet-friendly celebrations, especially those with hearing-sensitive animals, and marked a clear departure from the loud, combustible traditions of the past.
turn to calm
Athens embraced “quiet” fireworks displays last year, a decision Mayor Harris Doukas said marked a change in priorities.
“This marks a new era of New Year celebrations,” he said. “A spectacular light show without deafening noise – respectful of people, animals and the environment.”
Nicosia went further and abandoned traditional fireworks altogether after assessing the damage they caused. Event planners and city officials say fireworks can cause distress to elderly residents, infants, people with autism and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“This decision is part of the municipality’s wider efforts to modernize public celebrations and align them with European trends and the Sustainable Development Goals,” the city said.
‘Quiet’ fireworks highlight landmarks
Low-noise fireworks still rely on black powder as a propellant to launch and disperse “stars” or particles that create color and visual effects. But they use smaller charges and avoid the explosions that create giant cracks typical of traditional displays.
These quieter pyrotechnics are not new and are often incorporated into larger shows, including effects mounted on landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or the London Eye.
Cris Matthews, founder of Quietworks, a British company specializing in low-impact fireworks displays, says using quieter options often requires extra planning and creativity and is ideal for more intimate celebrations.
“As shows get smaller, the debate about low-noise or quiet fireworks becomes more important,” he said. “For performances such as weddings and private parties, low-noise fireworks options can provide additional benefits.”
Old habits and new technologies
In Greece and Cyprus, private fireworks are still common and often deafening on occasions such as Orthodox Easter. In some rural areas, gun-carrying traditions still lead to celebratory shootings. Both practices cause harm.
This year, most cities in the greater Athens area insist on setting off fireworks, which include loud explosions. But New Year’s celebrations in the city center, set against the backdrop of the ancient Acropolis, focus on visual feasting, with lights and drones also incorporated as high-tech options become more sophisticated and affordable.
In Nicosia, drones have now “effectively replaced” fireworks at municipal events, bringing a “high level of creativity”, the city government said. Unlike fireworks, drone displays produce minimal noise, produce no chemical emissions or debris, and pose no fire risk.
The timing was well thought out. Cyprus will hold the rotating EU presidency on January 1, and the capital plans to use drone displays throughout the year to showcase the symbolism of Cyprus and the EU.
“The municipality’s overarching goal is to set an example by prioritizing safer, greener and more sustainable alternatives,” it said, “and to explicitly abandon traditional fireworks at municipal events wherever possible.”