As the world prepares to welcome 2026, WhatsApp is rolling out a special suite of features designed to add sparkle to digital celebrations. The Meta-owned messaging giant announced these updates on Monday, acknowledging that New Year's Eve consistently marks its peak global usage day for messages and calls.
WhatsApp's Four New Features for 2026
The platform is introducing four key tools to help users share festive cheer. The first is a dedicated "2026 Sticker Pack," offering users a fresh way to send New Year greetings directly within chats.
For virtual parties, new Video Call Effects are being added. Users can tap the effects icon during a video call to unleash animations of fireworks, confetti, and stars directly on their screens, perfect for the midnight countdown.
The popular Animated Confetti Reactions are making a comeback. Tapping the confetti emoji as a message reaction will trigger a special celebratory animation, bringing extra flair to group conversations.
Finally, animated stickers are coming to Status updates for the first time. Users can combine a special "2026 layout" with an animated sticker to create dynamic New Year posts for their contacts to view.
Why New Year's Eve is Critical for WhatsApp
In a blog post, WhatsApp highlighted the immense scale of its service on December 31st. The platform regularly handles over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls daily, but the 24-hour period surrounding the New Year consistently breaks all records. The company expressed pride in facilitating connections, whether through video calls that link families across continents or group chats that organize local festivities.
Smart Tips for Group Celebrations
Beyond new features, WhatsApp shared practical advice for users planning their celebrations through group chats. Utilizing the Events feature allows organizers to create, pin, and collect RSVPs for plans, ensuring everyone stays informed.
The Polls function in groups can help democratically decide crucial party elements like food, drinks, and activities for the night.
For safety and convenience, sharing Live Location can help friends find the venue or let loved ones know you've arrived home safely after the celebrations.
For those who cannot attend in person, sending Video and Voice Notes remains a heartfelt way to include distant friends and family in the festive spirit.
Gearing Up for the Global Celebration
This annual feature rollout underscores WhatsApp's central role in modern holiday rituals. By blending new visual tools like animated stickers and call effects with robust organizational features like Events and Polls, the platform aims to make planning easier and celebrations more vibrant for its billions of users worldwide as they step into 2026.
