Sad New Year’s Eve in Belgrade: Protests and Fog Overshadow Festivities

Belgrade, a city renowned for its lively New Year’s Eve celebrations, entered 2025 under a cloud of sorrow and reflection. Known for its vibrant street parties, live concerts, and dazzling fireworks along the Sava River at the Belgrade Waterfront, this year’s festivities were overshadowed by student-led silent protests and dense fog that obscured the much-anticipated fireworks display.

@dnevnadozabeograda

Beograd u ponoć #beograd #studenti #protest #belgrade #docek #novagodina2024 #novagodina

♬ original sound – Beograd vesti

The tragic collapse of the Novi Sad Railway Station canopy on November 1, 2024, which claimed the lives of 15 people, has sparked ongoing protests across Serbian cities. Demonstrators have blamed government corruption and institutional negligence for the disaster. Despite expectations that the protests would wane with time, they persisted through the end of the year and cast a somber shadow over the typically jubilant New Year’s celebrations.

@nazifelmass

Fail #newyear #belgrade #serbia #2025 #kesfet #fypp #belgradetower

♬ Titanic flute fail – kate dwyer

While Novi Sad chose to forego its New Year’s events out of respect for the victims, Belgrade moved forward with its scheduled programming. However, the festive atmosphere failed to mask the collective grief and outrage of the people. Alongside the concerts at Republic Square, thousands gathered to hold a silent protest, paying tribute to the victims and demanding accountability from the government.

@n1_srbija

Građani i studenti skupili su se u Pionirskom parku, odakle su krenuli u šetnju ka Studentskom trgu, gde su odali počast nastradalima u nesreći na železničkoj stanicu u Novom Sadu uz 15 minuta tišine. Kako je sve izgledalo pogledajte na našem snimku iz drona. #n1srbija #foryou #foryoupage #fyp #n1info

♬ original sound – N1 Srbija

At the stroke of 23:52, the protesters stood silent for 15 minutes, extending their vigil until 12:07 a.m. to honor the lives lost. Their main slogan echoed through the streets: “No celebration until justice is served”.

@balkan_superstar

Zaista je nevidjen 😂 #viral_video #viral #viralno #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #serbia #belgrade #vatromet #beogradnavodi #2025 #newyear #year2025

♬ original sound – Balkan_superstar

Nature seemed to align with the protesters’ mood, as dense fog enveloped the city and rendered the government’s grand fireworks display at Belgrade Waterfront nearly invisible. Spectators could hear the fireworks booming in the distance, but the thick haze allowed only faint glimpses of color in the sky. What was meant to be a visual spectacle turned into an eerie, muted show—symbolic of the subdued mood gripping the city.

@karolinadjukic

#newyear2025 #happynewyear2025 #belgradewaterfront #belgrade #belgradeserbia #beogradnavodi #beogradnavodi2025 #belgradewaterfront2025 #fireworks #firework #vatromet #vatromet2025 #firework2025 #fireworks2025 #newyearserbia #newyearbelgrade #beograd #magla

♬ original sound – Karolina Đukić

This year’s New Year’s Eve served as a poignant reminder of the power of solidarity in the face of tragedy. Belgrade’s residents not only celebrated but also mourned and resisted, marking the arrival of 2025 with a blend of reflection, sorrow, and an unwavering demand for justice.