More New Year’s Eve fireworks despite Government Christmas party ban

The Government may have cancelled all Christmas parties for ministries, departments and agencies in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, but the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is moving in the opposite direction--expanding its annual New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations.

This year, the State agency will add two new locations to its traditional shows in Downtown Kingston; Ocho Rios, St Ann; and Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St James.

Families in Black River, St Elizabeth, and Long Bay Beach in Negril, Westmoreland, will also get their own fireworks display on December 31.

According to the UDC, widening the celebrations is meant to give more Jamaicans "a meaningful end-of-year experience" as the country pushes forward on its recovery path.

The decision comes just weeks after Hurricane Melissa -- one of the most powerful systems ever to hit Jamaica--devastated communities across Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Trelawny and Hanover on October 28.

Amid the nationwide recovery effort, the Government has declared that there will be no Christmas parties for public-sector entities this year.

"Christmas parties for government entities are off for this year. We will not be having Christmas parties," Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon confirmed. She noted that only modest in-office recognition activities will be permitted, with no rentals of external venues.

Still, the UDC says the scaled-back nature of its fireworks shows will preserve what it describes as a long-standing and treasured moment of national togetherness.

"The Corporation believes it remains important to create opportunities for joy, reflection, and community spirit as Jamaicans look toward 2026 with hope," it said.

The agency added that, after a year marked by hardship -- particularly for households in hurricane-stricken parishes --"Jamaicans are looking for something to smile about."