For the second consecutive year, hundreds of people in Birmingham welcomed the new year under a cloud of disappointment after being misled by online claims of a spectacular fireworks display that never materialised.
A Repeat of Festive Frustration
On Wednesday evening, as the clock ticked towards 2026, crowds of hopeful revellers descended upon Centenary Square, drawn by promises of a "dazzling" pyrotechnics show circulating online. The false advertisements suggested a lively atmosphere with music, creating anticipation for a major civic celebration to mark the occasion.
However, the skies above the city centre, with its prominent ferris wheel, remained stubbornly silent. Social media footage captured the anticlimactic scene, with one user captioning a video of the gathered crowd: “When you queue for fireworks and the sky stays silent.” This mirrored an almost identical incident from the previous New Year's Eve, where thousands were similarly tricked by online rumours.
Police Warnings Ignored Amid Online Misinformation
In the lead-up to the event, West Midlands Police had proactively attempted to curb the spread of false information. On Tuesday, the force issued a clear statement, emphasising that there were "no official firework displays or city-organised events happening in Birmingham city centre on New Year’s Eve."
The police directly blamed the annual circulation of online rumours about "big celebrations" in the city. "Unfortunately, these false claims often lead to confusion and disappointment," their statement read. They also highlighted the serious real safety issues such misinformation can cause, noting that large, unexpected crowds strain public transport, emergency services, and create congestion.
This type of hoax is not isolated to Birmingham. The report notes a similar incident last month where tourists were lured to Buckingham Palace by an AI-generated image of a Christmas market that did not exist.
Contrast with National Celebrations
The frustration in Birmingham stood in stark contrast to official celebrations across the United Kingdom. In London, approximately 100,000 people watched a record-breaking display of some 12,000 fireworks along the Thames. Meanwhile, in Scotland, tens of thousands enjoyed the traditional Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh, which featured a breathtaking light show projected onto Edinburgh Castle.
The recurring nature of the Birmingham hoax underscores the persistent challenge of combating online misinformation and its very real impact on public safety and festive spirits.
