The longstanding New Year’s Eve gala produced by German broadcaster ZDF is relocating from Berlin to Hamburg. Sources within the German government have confirmed the shift, marking a significant change for the nationally televised event.
For years, the gala, previously hosted under titles like “Welcome 2025” has been a fixture in Berlin, traditionally broadcast live from a stage erected near the Brandenburg Gate. This year, the event will take place in the Hamburg harbor, near the Westfield shopping center. The new venue has a capacity for approximately 5,000 guests. The site has been assessed and utilized previously, notably hosting a concert by Rita Ora earlier this year.
The decision to move the gala comes after the Berlin Senate declined to provide further financial subsidies to the event organizers, leading to the cancellation of this year’s planned event in Berlin. The relocation to Hamburg aims to maintain the tradition of the televised New Year’s Eve celebration.