The Right to Celebrate
10 reasons cities shouldn’t be allowed to cancel public festivities
1. Celebrations are good for community spirit.
2. Cities should be held accountable for their promises.
3. Disappointment is the world’s cruelest emotion.
4. People make plans to go out of the way to attend festivities.
5. Only democratic decisions are fair.
6. Compensation exists in other sectors.
7. Cancellations harm a city’s reputation.
8. Celebrations mark significant moments.
9. Public events are inclusive to all members of the community.
10. Volunteer-run celebrations (including makeups for past cancellations) would strengthen volunteerism.
It is deeply unjust that cities are allowed to cancel public festivities, such as New Year celebrations. Over the past several years, cancellations have become normalized — even routine — despite the fact that these events are public goods. Decisions that affect entire metropolitan populations should never bypass public consent. Furthermore, justice means protecting and improving on what already exists — never taking it away.
Furthermore, for each past cancellation, cities should commit to holding makeup celebrations at a later date. Disappointment is not easily priced, but it can be meaningfully addressed through follow-through.
To ensure sustainability and move away from unreliable corporate sponsors, future events should leverage crowdfunding and be staffed mostly or entirely by volunteers. Then, the makeup celebrations could come whenever there is enough money. They, too, would be volunteer-run. (I myself would gladly volunteer, on a recurring basis, in any way I can. Even if that means a menial task such as litter pickup.)
Contrary to popular belief, fireworks are not necessary for a New Year celebration. They could easily be replaced by cheaper alternatives such as drone, laser, or LED shows, or simply live music. Cities such as Panama City and Athens have already done this.
Here’s why this reform is crucial.
Reason 1: Community spirit
Public celebrations play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community among its participants. These events offer rare opportunities for people to come together and strengthen their community spirit. They provide a unique sense of belonging in an increasingly fragmented world, and strengthen social bonds at a time when society desperately needs togetherness. They create shared memories that foster empathy, familiarity, and intergenerational connection. Hence, it is imperative to recognize the significance of public New Year celebrations, and ensure their continuity, for the betterment of the community as a whole.
As a certain wise person once said, “There’s only a few days a year to bring the community together. A city shouldn’t have the power to take one away, especially not the most important one [referring to New Year’s Eve].” She also suggested a more positive title for makeup festivities: “Strong Community Nights“.
Reason 2: Commitment and accountability
One reason celebrations are important is the value of promises in general. When cities announce public celebrations, they enter into an implicit social contract with residents. Promises are considered to be oral contracts and, as such, a broken one constitutes a breach of public trust. Cities have a responsibility to honour commitments.
When unavoidable cancellations occur, and relocation to a different venue is not an option, a city has the moral duty to compensate by providing alternative celebrations as soon as possible. Hence my idea for makeup festivities on non-holiday nights. By maintaining the integrity of promises and making them as solid as possible, trust and dependability can be fostered.
Reason 3: Disappointment
Disappointment isn’t just unpleasant; it’s also psychologically corrosive. Research shows that chronic or sudden letdowns can heighten anxiety and reduce community morale. It is crucial for everyone, including municipal governments, to recognize the significance of this emotion and take necessary steps to prevent causing it whenever possible.
We are overdue for a world without preventable disappointment of any kind, especially disappointment caused by institutions intended to serve the public. This would mean, among other parameters, maintaining public events every year. If a celebration cannot take place on the appointed date due to force majeure, then follow-through via a makeup event is the city’s moral and civic responsibility. It demonstrates a culture of accountability, and reinforces that residents’ hopes are not forgotten. Cities can’t be in the business of letting down those who count on them most.
Reason 4: People make plans
Public events are not spontaneous for most people, and New Year celebrations are no exception. Many people plan for said events far in advance. They often adjust their work shifts, family and friend plans, and travel schedules, and make personal sacrifices — all hinging on the assumption that their city will deliver the event as advertised. Trust in institutions is already fragile, and failing to follow through on promised festivities sends the wrong message: that people’s enthusiasm and time are disposable.
At minimum, cities should show reciprocal effort by rescheduling rather than abandoning. Makeup events treat people’s time and expectations with the respect they deserve, especially people without enough money (or schedule flexibility) to travel to another city on a whim.
Reason 5: Democratic rights
True justice means no dictatorial decisions at all, even under third parties such as businesses. Only democratic decisions are valid. Everything should go through a public vote, on as wide a scale as is affected.
The cancellation of a major public event should never be the result of a unilateral decision. Cities are not private corporations; their decisions must reflect the will of the people. The decision to cancel a public event should have to go through a metropolitan-area-wide public referendum months in advance. Or better yet, it shouldn’t be allowed to happen at all because it’s a negative change. Real justice means maximizing public good, i.e. having only positive changes. Not mostly. Only.
Reason 6: Compensation in other sectors
If a flight is cancelled, passengers are rebooked. If a concert is cancelled, ticketholders receive refunds. Public sector institutions should meet at least the same standard of service and fairness. Residents who show up expecting a promised civic experience deserve compensation. This should not consist of financial compensation (again, disappointment is difficult to price), but rather, emotional and cultural compensation via a rescheduled event.
A makeup celebration, even if it takes place years later, shows that governments value people’s investment and participation. The same way companies preserve trust, cities must too. Just as other industries compensate for cancelled services, public event cancellations should be addressed similarly to maintain fairness.
Reason 7: Reputation
A city is judged, at least in part, by its traditions. Consistent, reliable, well-executed public events become part of a city’s identity and attractiveness, fostering civic pride. Tourists come to expect them. Residents take pride in them. Cancellations create an air of instability, but compensating for them signals adaptability and dedication.
Cities known for reliable, inclusive, joyous events are seen as vibrant and community-centred. Letting traditions lapse hurts a city’s brand … and its soul.
Reason 8: Marking significant moments
Celebrations mark important milestones, achievements, and shared experiences, contributing to the collective memory and identity of a community. New Year’s celebrations offer more than spectacle; they help people mentally close a chapter and embrace a fresh one. Rituals like countdowns, communal cheering, or shared resolutions serve as psychological landmarks that restore motivation and optimism.
Skipping this moment leaves communities with no collective closure. A postponed event, even if it takes place long after the fact, can still fulfill the emotional function, proving that symbolism matters more than the date. You don’t need a special occasion on the calendar to have a community-building event!
Reason 9: Inclusivity
Unlike private parties, public celebrations are open to all. They unite people from diverse backgrounds, creating a shared space for celebration, belonging, and unity. These moments reduce loneliness, bridge social divides, and provide visibility to underrepresented groups. They are among the few instances where everyone can participate equally, strengthening social bonds and promoting inclusivity. Humans are social animals, so public gatherings are good for our mental health.
Moreover, public events often highlight local culture, music, or heritage. A cancellation not only silences that culture, but also withholds one of the few accessible platforms for unity. Relocation or rescheduling is always better than total removal.
Reason 10: Strengthening volunteerism
Extra community-building celebrations are not just about redemption; they create valuable volunteer opportunities. Many residents want to volunteer or engage civically, either once-off or on a recurring basis, but lack suitable openings. Planning Strong Community Nights could re-engage people who felt disconnected or let down, while offering fresh chances to contribute.
This approach turns a past disappointment into a shared triumph. It strengthens civic pride and offers everyone — from student volunteers to retirees — a role in shaping their city’s joy. Strong Community Nights would not only “make up for lost experiences” in the minds of many, but would also encourage civic engagement and foster a sense of ownership and pride in local activities.