Amsterdam city council is organising a ‘celebratory and spectacular’ New Year celebration with a fireworks display on Museumplein this year, officials say.

This is the last year that people will be able to set off their own fireworks in the city, and the sale of more dangerous fireworks, including firecrackers and rockets, has also been banned nationwide from this year.

Despite a vote in favour of a total ban on consumer fireworks in the capital, mayor  Femke Halsema said in September that a ban on consumer fireworks during this year’s New Year celebrations would not go ahead because of the coronavirus crisis.

Officials say Museumplein has been chosen as a location for the fireworks display because it is easily accessible, safe and can be made ‘corona-proof’. It is also a ‘lovely backdrop’ for a spectacular event for all Amsterdammers, the city said in a statement.

As yet is is unclear if members of the public will be able to attend the show, but it will be shown on television and via social media.

Amsterdam hosted a fireworks show on the IJ waterway for several years but recently cancelled it. Rotterdam hosts a fireworks display on the Erasmus bridge and in The Hague, the Hofvijver by the parliamentary complex is the centre of the organised celebrations.