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NEW YEAR'S EVE

Where to see fireworks this New Year’s Eve in Sweden

Despite the pandemic causing restrictions to tighten again, some cities are still putting on a show. 

Where to see fireworks this New Year's Eve in Sweden
Where to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in Malmö (pictured, 2013), Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umeå. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

When the clock hits twelve, fireworks draw many people in Sweden out to celebrate in the streets. With the Omicron variant causing case numbers to rise, this year it’s extra important to think about keeping your distance from others, even when you’re outside.

Restaurants and bars across the country can still be open for midnight under the current rules, but everyone has to be seated and at a table with no more than eight people.

Keep reading to find out where to watch the fireworks in four Swedish cities.

Stockholm 

The City of Stockholm is not organising an official celebration this year, but there are other public celebrations. Outdoos museum Skansen is hosting its annual traditional New Year’s concert, albeit without a live audience present. You can watch it on TV or online. 

While there might not be an official fireworks display, plenty of people will be setting off their own amateur fireworks. If you don’t have a balcony, head to Skeppsbron in Gamla Stan to see fireworks light up the night sky. 

On Södermalm, the cliffs uphill from Slussen are a good spot, while if you head west along Hornsgatan the hills behind Söder Mälarstrand – in particular Skinnarviksberget – offer great views of the centre of town. But basically any high spot on one of Stockholm’s many hills and islands will offer great views of Stockholmers’ fireworks. 

Gothenburg 

After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the local newspaper, Göteborgs-Posten, will once again be providing the city with a fireworks display launched from Norra Älvstranden at 5pm. 

The best place to see it is around the quays on the mainland side from the Gothenburg Opera towards Stenpiren. It can also be seen from Ramberget, the quays around SVT-huset, the area around Frihamnen, Göta Älvbron and Masthuggskyrkan.

All along the Göta älv waterfront you should be able to see the display. The nearby Götaälvbron has a high vantage point to watch it, while other high spots further into the city like Masthuggsberget will also work if it’s a clear night.

Malmö

This year the traditional fireworks display will light up the sky from midnight at Nyhamnen. It was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. There’s also a New Year’s celebration for children and families on Stortorget which starts at 5pm.

You should be able to see the fireworks from most high points in the city, but organisers mention that Anna Lindh’s place, Posthusplatsen, Hjälmarekajen and Krankajen are particularly good lookout points. There’s a map of viewing spots here

Umeå 

This year is doubly special for Umeå as it also celebrates the 400th anniversary of gaining city status. There’ll be celebrations at Rådhustorget from 2pm, and New Year’s fireworks will start at the stroke of midnight from Skeppsbron. 

The best place to see the show is along the central river: Rådhusparken, Skeppsbron, Årstiderna Park, Gamla Bron. 

Your own back garden 

In lieu of official public fireworks displays, many people will be setting off their own fireworks from balconies and back gardens. But there are a few important things to note:

Firecrackers are banned everywhere in Sweden. You must be 18 years of age to buy, own and use fireworks. Many municipalities have local regulations on when and where fireworks may be fired, so it’s good to check on the local police website

You don’t need a permit for sparklers, party poppers and other smaller products that are intended for indoor use.

Elsewhere

To find out what’s going on in your town, it’s a good idea to Google the name of the place and then the words fyrverkeri (“fireworks display”) or nyår (“new year”). The official website for the municipality (kommun) will tell you if there’s something more organised going on. 

Gott nytt år!

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NEW YEAR'S EVE

One person killed, others injured during Swedish New Year’s Eve celebrations

A man was fatally shot and others injured on New Year's Eve in Stockholm, Sweden. In other parts of the country, rockets were fired at people and their homes, according to Swedish police.

One person killed, others injured during Swedish New Year's Eve celebrations

A man in his 20s died and several others were injured in a shooting in Vällingby, Stockholm at 7pm on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve rockets were fired during the shooting to create confusion, according to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Police have confirmed that two more people were shot, but their injuries are minor. No one has yet been arrested.

In other parts of Sweden, people as well as homes and cars were hit by New Year’s Eve rockets.

In Skåne, several people, apartment and cars were fired with rockets. A man was beaten in Burlöv during the evening after telling people to stop shooting rockets.

“We have had some problems with young people setting off fireworks, but nothing serious and we have no injuries. In Trollhättan, there was a bit of a fight after checking a car, which we are now investigating”, Göran Carlbom, on-duty commander of West region police said.

In Stockholm, there were several incidents where fireworks were handled carelessly.

“It is difficult to know what was or wasn’t deliberate, but in the centre of Rissne rockets were fired at the subway and people. The police were also shot at when they arrived at the scene, so we have started a preliminary investigation”, Helena Boström Thomas, press spokesperson at Stockholm Police said.

Rockets were also set off on the subway in Tensta as well as Hjulsta square. In Hallonbergen, two young men are suspected of causing danger to others and violating the law on flammable and explosive goods after firing rockets.

“Central Stockholm, on the other hand, has been relatively calm and it has mainly been about the traffic flow and handling large crowds”, Boström Thomas said.

In the East Police Region, there were no serious incidents during Saturday night.

“There has been a lot of talk about fireworks, but no serious injuries have occurred. There have been a couple of incidents where rockets have been fired at crowds and some people have been taken into custody. In Linköping we received calls about rockets being fired at windows and properties.

“Rockets were also fired at police… a man in his 20s is suspected but not arrested”, Erik Creutz, duty commander at East Police Region said. “You can sum it up as a lot of assault cases but no serious injuries”, Creutz added.

In northern Sweden, it was a calm New Year’s Eve, even though it was not extremely cold.

“It has been relatively good on the whole with a lot of events but not extreme in any way. A bit of fighting, drunk people and young people setting off fireworks, but nothing that stands out”, Björn Pettersson, commander at North Police Region said.

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Europe steps into 2023 after turbulent year

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