“There are not a few who are left disappointed”

There is less and less left until December 31 and many Spanish consumers, especially the youngest, are already finalizing their preparations to welcome the new year 2026 in style at one of the numerous Christmas parties. New Year’s Eve that are organized throughout the national territory.

It is a very special night in which everyone wants to show off their best clothes and have an unforgettable time. The problem is that in this type of mass events “There are not a few who are left disappointed and without a party” due to “problems with tickets, excess capacity, evictions due to administrative problems or, worse, due to lack of security,” recalls the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU).

“Not the best way to start the year”says the OCU, which explains that “if an inconvenience happens, nothing will be able to give you back the excitement of the party, but your money will.” Below is a series of advice offered by this group that works in defense of consumer rights and other similar organizations to prevent and solve different problems which may be associated with a New Year’s Eve party.

The first thing we have to decide is where we want to spend New Year’s Eve and once we are clear, buy the ticket “always in trusted establishments or through intermediaries that give you absolute reliability” and, when possible, directly “at the time of the event itself”, advises the OCU, which explains that with these precautions we will avoid acquiring counterfeit tickets with which we will not be able to access the premises: “If you have been sold fake tickets, the police will deal directly with you”.

In the case of purchasing tickets over the Internet, the OCU recommends “making sure that We carry out the transaction through the page of the event organizersand also advises reading the general conditions and keeping the purchase receipt, to be able to claim in case of cancellation.”

The organization also warns that “if the event is canceled or the company changes the conditions of the event – such as the location where it is held, the time or the services -, “The user has the right to recover the money paid for the tickets.” In the event that the company ignores the refund request, it urges you to “make the appropriate claim through the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs.”

“The maximum permitted capacity must not be exceeded”

The Spanish Consumer Association (Asescon) highlights that it is important “find out the conditions that the party will have, if it includes a menu, what type of food or drink”also if it includes transportation, “know the arrival and pick-up times” since “all advertising is binding and any difference between what they have promised us and what they have actually offered us, gives the consumer the right to complain.” Of course, for these claims it is advisable to have a copy of the advertising to provide along with the ticket or ticket purchase receipt.

For its part, the Confederation of Consumers and Users (CECU) remember that “organizing companies must have civil liability insurance and guarantee that the premises comply with the relevant fire safety measures and an emergency plan.” In addition, “The maximum permitted capacity must not be exceeded” and “if we see that it may be exceeding, it is advisable to notify the police to avoid greater harm.”

The CECU also reports that “the premises must have the price list in a visible place and official complaint forms are available to the public.” “To file a complaint, it is advisable to ask for witness information and always keep the advertising and tickets, making the complaint at that very moment to leave a written record of our presence at the party,” he concludes.

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